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IVl.  u 

Gc 

974.802 
Ea7c 
1334556 


GENEALOGY  COLLECTIOK 


sX 


LEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  L 


3  1833  02223  8346 


^^ 


A    BIRD'S-EYE    VIEW   OFIEA^ 


KRd.M    I'lKi'l'dCKAI'II    i:V    k(  CKAKKLLOV: 


OF 


IFELIOS 


viewf:d  from  I'liiujpSBrRO,  n.  j. 

W.  West,  Easton,  Pa.1 


ASTON,   PENN'A,   IN    1885 


Rev.  UZAL  W.  CONDIT,  A,  M.,  Ph.  I). 


'  ■•'x,  7* 


THK  HISTORY 


OK: 


EASTON.  PENN'A 


FROM 


The  Earliest  Times^The  Present, 


1739—1885 


BY 

Rev.  UZAL  W.  CONDIT,  A.  M. 

Ex-President  of  the  State  Board  of  Education 
OF  New  Hampshire. 


Tov  wotjjaai  ^ipXia  iroWla  ovx  toTiv  vcpaafioc. 


PUBLISHED,   ILLUSTRATED  AND  PRINTED  BY 

GEORGE    W.    WEST. 


JlL 


^ 


W  H^A^uxjuJ 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1885,  by 

WEST   &   CONDIT, 
in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


1334556 


TRAILL    GREEN,   M.  D.,  LL.  D. 


dean  of  the  pardee  scientific  department 
of  lafayette  college, — the  eminent 
physician  and  friend  of  education 
and  of  sound  learning,  adorned  by 
that  higher  learning  which  will 
shine  brightly  in  a  higher  sphere  : 
a  lineal  descendant  of  one  of  the 
prominent  actors  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  easton,  especially  during 
the  stormy  scenes  of  the  revolu- 
tion— to  this  eminent  christian 
scholar  and  patriot  this  work  is 
most  respectfully  and  affection- 
ately dedicated  by 

The  Author. 


PUBLISHER  S  NOTE, 

THE  topography  of  Easton  being  so  grand,  nature 
having  done  so  much,  we  believe  the  time  is  now 
when  this  beauty  should  be  in  book  fonn.  Go  to 
what  point  vou  may,  your  eyes  behold  a  beautiful,  a  dazzling 
picture.  There  is  not  a  town  of  its  size  that  can  compare 
with  it  in  beauty  of  situation,  and  its  beauty  is  known  far 
and  wide. 

The  "Forks  of  the  Delaware"  was  known  a  century 
and  a  half  ago,  and  who  among  us  does  not  like  the  sound? 
To  illustrate  it  as  it  is  to-day,  and  what  it  was  many  years 
ago,  is  the  aim  of  the  publisher.  For  that  purpose  he  has 
had  a  goodly  number  of  photographic  views  taken,  and 
secured  the  loan  of  several  rare  and  valuable  paintings. 
One  of  the  best  wood  engravers  in  Philadelphia  has  been 
engaged  to  do  the  engraving,  and  beauty  and  accuracy  will 
appear  in  each  number  of  the  book. 

This  is  the  first  attempt  at  Illustrated  Easton.  This  is 
our  initial  number,  and  our  second  will  be  no  less  inter- 
esting than  the  first  ;  indeed,  as  the  work  ad\-auces  it 
increases  in  interest,  and  unfolds  some  of  the  grandest 
cliaracters  in  the  history  of  Pennsylvania. 

THE    PUBLISHER. 


^y^z^^ZM/- 


Authors  Preface, 


HE  AUTHOR'S  object  in  preparing  the  following  work  was  to  preserve 
a  record  of  the  history  of  onr  Borough,  and  gather  together  many  fafts  that 
were  rapidly  passing  into  the  region  of  forgetfulness.  There  are  a  few  old 
people  whose  lives  connedl  the  present  with  the  past,  whose  recolle<5tions 
have  been  of  benefit  to  the  author,  and  as  far  as  pradticable,  have  been  pre- 
served. The  author  had  not  the  slightest  conception  of  the  magnitude  of 
the  task,  nor  of  the  real  importance  of  Easton's  early  history  when  he  beo-an 
Y  to  write.     Many  times  surprise  has  been  mingled  with  pleasure  as  the  scat- 

tered elements  of  her  historic  life  have  been  unfolded  among  the  dusty  volumes  so 
seldom  read  ;  and  if  the  citizens  of  Easton  enjoy  the  reading  as  the  author  has  enjoyed  the 
writing,  he  will  feel  that  his  work  will  not  have  been  in  vain. 

It  may  be  proper  to  acknowledge  the  works  which  have  been  consulted  in  the  progress 
of  this  work  ;  and  it  would  be  ingratitude  not  to  gratefully  acknowledge  the  counsel  and 
constant  kindness  of  Elisha  Allis,  Esq.,  in  the  progress  of  the  work:  his  excellent 
library,  without  which  the  work  could  not  have  attained  to  even  its  present  excellence, 
has  been  at  the  author's  disposal  as  if  it  were  his  own.  The  Colonial  Records  and  Archives 
of  Pennsylvania,  Davis'  History  of  Bucks  County,  and  Rupp's  History  of  Northampton 
County,  History  of  the  Lehigh  Valley,  History  of  the  Moravians,  Congressional  Records 
(a  part  of  which  were  found  in  the  Astor  Library),  Anderson's  Lives  of  the  Signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  Original  Records  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  various  His- 
tories of  the  United  States,  Sparks'  Life  of  Washington,  old  Files  of  Papers  in  the  Easton 
Library,  Files  of  Easton  "Express,"  "Argus"  and  "Free  Press,"  Harbaugh's  Life  of  Rev. 
Schlatter,  Dr.  Egle's  History  of  Pennsylvania  and  Historical  Register  of  Pennsylvania, 
Life  of  Major  Van  Cam  pen.  Coffin's  Men  of  Lafayette,  Owen's  Historical  Sketches  of 
Lafayette,  Copp's  Prominent  Citizens  of  Easton,  and  China  and  the  United  States. 
These  and  other  works  will  be  referred  to. 

The  plan  of  the  book  is  to  introduce  each  subject  in  the  chronological  order  of  its 
occurrence,  and  follow  it  to  its  conclusion,  so  that  each  topic  will  be  complete  in  itself; 
the  author  hopes  in  this  manner  to  avoid  confusion. 


I'lEW    OK    BUSHKILL    STREET    liKIDC.E.    IN    1840, 

SHOWING    REAR    OF    MT.   JEFFERSON. 

FROM    A    DRAWING    BY    MRS.    M  '  CARTNEY. 


Introductory  Chapter. 


EASTON  IN  HER  WII.DNESS  OF  NATURE. 

Mount  Jefferson — Mount  Lafayette  —  Mount  Olympus — Lehigh  Hills — Rivers — Combination  of  Mountains, 
Valleys  and  Rivers — Where  Parsons  Meant  the  Town  to  be  Built  —  First  House  in  Easton,  by  Whom  Built, 
and  Where — Michael  Schlatter;  Birth  Place;  Errand  to  America;  Visit  to  Europe ;  Raises  Money  for 
Churches  and  Schools  in  Pennsylvania  ;  His  Presentation  of  a  Bible  ;  His  Death  and  Burial  in  Philadelphia. 


|HEN  the  people  of  Easton  contemplated  erecting  their  first  Court  Hotise, 
in  1753,  a  large  number  of  petitioners  in  other  parts  of  the  county  sent  a 
remonstrance  to  the  Provincial  Assembly  against  building  the  Court  House 
in  Easton.  One  of  the  reasons  assigned  for  their  opposition  was  that  the 
hills  were  so  high  and  steep  as  to  endanger  one's  life  to  approach  the  vil- 
lage. But  the  ground  of  their  objection  is  the  source  of  Easton's  topo- 
graphical beauty.  No  stranger  of  taste  ever  visits  Easton  without  being 
channed  with  the  hills  and  valleys  and  shining  rivers,  ever  changing  in 
grandeur  as  the  observer  changes  position — like  the  varying  glories  of  the 
kaleidoscope.  The  want  of  system  in  these  mountains  greatly  adds  to  their  beauty. 
When  wandering  around  the  College  buildings  on  Mount  Lafayette,  the  eyes  catch  the 
distant  ranges  of  mountains,  which  greet  the  vision  in  whatever  direction  we  turn.  Yon- 
der, to  the  west,  stretch  the  Kittatinny  or  Endless  Mountains,  just  far  enough  removed 
to  be  covered  with  the  bewitching  haze  of  Summer,  enveloped  in  the  gentle  tints  of 
ethereal  blue  in  the  clear  atmosphere  of  Winter ;  while  standing  in  front  of  the  Presi- 
dent's mansion,  just  below  us,  where  the  L,ehigh  empties  its  waters  into  the  Delaware, 
start  the  lychigh  Hills,  stretching  with  a  gentle  curve  toward  the  west,  at  whose  base  the 
river  winds  its  way,  and  when  reflecting  the  sunlight,  or  the  rays  of  the  full  moon,  looks 
like  a  silver  ribbon  skirting  the  landscape.  And  near  the  same  spot  starts  a  range  of 
hills  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Delaware,  at  whose  base  the  limpid  waters  of  this  historic 
river  wend  their  way  to\vard  the  sea,  and  both  river  and  hills,  gently  curving  to  the 
north,  are  lost  behind  other  hills  on  the  left  bank. 

If  we  ascend  Mount  Olympus,  the  highest  point  in  the  Chestnut  Range,  just  north  of 
the  College  campus,  we  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  river  approaching  from  the  north,  running 
through  gaps  in  the  mountains,  quite  as  beautiful  in  their  wildness  as  the  far-famed  Water 
Gap,  thirty  miles  away.  From  this  Olympian  height  expands  a  scene  of  beauty  rarely  wit- 
nessed. A  few  years  ago  a  gentleman  passing  through  Easton  had  his  attention  arrested 
by  the  combination  of  mountain  and  river,  and  remarked:  "He  was  familiar  with  the 


8  THE  HISTORY  OF 

valley  of  the  Rhine,  but  he  had  never  witnessed  anything  more  beautiful  than  this." 
Men  will  go  to  Europe,  climb  the  Alps  to  get  a  glimpse  of  scenen.'  not  more  beautiful  than 
that  which  greets  the  eye  of  the  beholder  from  the  summit  of  this  American  Olympus. 

But  the  mountains  encircling  the  old  site  of  Easton  are  they  against  which  the  remon- 
strants, in  1753,  hurled  their  anathemas.  The  level  surface  around  the  Square  was  the 
extent  to  which  William  Parsons  -limited  the  future  town.  On  the  northwest  stands 
Mount  Jefferson,  which  received  its  name  from  the  fa(?l  of  a  great  celebration  that  took 
place  upon  its  summit  in  1800,  in  honor  of  the  election  of  Thomas  Jefferson  to  the  Presi- 
denc)-.  An  ox  was  roasted  on  its  top,  and  the  excavation  is  still  visible.  On  the  north 
is  Mount  Lafayette,  so  named  in  honor  of  the  son  of  France,  the  friend  of  Washington 
and  America.  On  the  southwest  is  a  height  ascended  from  Fourth  street,  up  Lehigh 
street,  by  a  series  of  steps,  to  Fifth  street,  from  which  we  continue  to  ascend  until  we 
reach  a  position  south  of  the  Court  House.  This  is  of  equal  altitude  with  the  other  two 
mountains,  and  has  been  called  ' '  Court  House  Hill. ' ' 

Before  1739,  when  David  Martin  built  his  ferry  house  at  the  foot  of  Ferry  street,  the 
whole  scene  was  covered  with  a  growth  of  bushes.  These  beautiful  rivers  rolled  along 
with  their  gurgling  music  under  the  forests  overhanging  their  banks.  There  was  little  to 
disturb  the  profound  quiet,  which  reigned  supreme,  except  the  sighing  of  the  winds,  the 
rustling  stonn,  the  singing  of  birds,  the  loud-crashing  thunder,  or  the  war  dance,  or  the 
loud  war-whoop  of  the  savages.  On  Mount  Lafayette,  on  the  heights  where  South  Easton 
stands,  or  on  the  banks  of  the  Lehigh,  could  be  seen  the  smoke  curling  through  the  tree- 
tops  from  the  fires  of  Indian  camps ;  or  one  might  have  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  fleet  of 
canoes  descending  the  Delaware  and  Lehigh,  filled  with  the  dusky  children  of  the  forests. 
This  was  the  garden  of  the  Lenni  Lenape,  chosen  for  its  beauty,  *  the  convenience  of  its 
rivers,  which  afforded  easy  communication  with  the  interior  of  the  country-,  and  as  they 
came  down  either  river  they  found  a  landing-place  for  their  canoes  on  a  long  point  extend- 
ing far  out  toward  the  right  bank  of  the  Lehigh.  This  point  has  long  since  been  washed 
away,  though  the  name  still  remains — "The  Point." 

Not  only  was  this  locality  chosen  for  its  beauty  and  convenience,  but  for  the  abund- 
ance of  game  which  roamed  through  these  valleys  and  along  these  mountain  sides.  The 
historian  of  the  Moravians  tells  us  that  the  Indians  would  catch  two  thousand  shad  in  a 
single  day  at  Bethlehem,  and  at  the  junction  of  the  rivers  theit;  efforts  would  be  equally 
successful.  This  scene  in  its  wildness  was  the  capitol  of  the  noble  Delaware  Tribe.  There 
were  no  stately  Oothic  temples,  nor  lofty  Corinthian  columns,  where  these  dusky  lords  of 
the  forest  would  legislate  for  the  nation's  welfare ;  but  there  were  umbrageous  frescoings 
arched  on  lofty  columns,  reared  by  the  hands  of  the  Great  Spirit,  beneath  whose  shade  the 
Indian  mother  could  lull  her  babe  to  sleep  as  she  snug  the  rude  war  songs  of  her  people, 
while  the  fierce  warrior  formed  his  ])lans  of  I)attlc'  and  sjiariiencd  his  \vea]ions  for  the  deadly 

'  Kgle's  History  of  Pennsylvania. 


REV.    MICHAEL    SCHLATTER, 


HISTORY    OF   THE    PICTURE. 

Mu.  SiHi.ATTElt  w.u-  aiipoinled  Clinplain  in  Ihc-  French  ami  Indian  War.     Ho 

present  at  the  fall  of  Lewit^burR.    He  retained  his  otflcial  position  in  the  Rovnl  A 

till  the  Revolutionary  War  wae  begun.    He  was  then  ordeix-d  to  join  bis  rej;iuient, 

he  disobeyed  orders.    He  was  a  Switz.    To  bim  liberty  was  dear.    He  was  iinprisi 


in  Philadelphio.    His  house  was 

papers,  taken.    His|>i<i:i]<    inn.. 

it,  when  Mr.  Schlaii.  i 

father,  and  ran  to  Tin.  i 

and  just  as  this  Hi-i"i,.  "  i    _ 

paper*.    He  at  once  iiitrresti-il  hii 

expressly  for  the  History  of  Easto 


ts,  including  his 
«  us  on  the  point 


of  I 


seized  the  picture  of  her 
hing  House  reprinted  it, 
found  a  copy  anions  ''is 


E ASTON,    PENN\-l.  9 

onset.  But  these  scenes  have  long  ago  passed  away.  No  matter  how  kindly  the  red  man 
was  treated,  nor  how  well  the  white  man  paid  him  for  his  land,  the  moment  the  white  man 
began  to  buy  the  soil,  the  doom  of  the  red  man  was  sealed.  We  pick  up  here  and  there 
an  arrow-head,  open  a  mound  filled  with  the  bones  of  their  dead,  only  to  remind  us  that 
the  powerful  people  which  once  owned  these  fertile  lands,  lofty  mountains  and  majestic 
rivers  have  passed  away,,.and  the  places  which  knew  them  know  them  no  more  forever. 

These  beautiful  forests  were  their  temples,  reared  by  hands  divine.  Under  their 
shadows  they  found  a  peaceful  home,  a  place  for  their  council-fires,  their  quiet  repose,  and 
amusements  of  savage  life.  Upon  the  banks  of  these  beautiful  rivers  the  young  learned 
the  art  of  war,  the  warrior  painted  for  battle,  and  the  aged  quietly  passed  the  evening  of 
life  and  peacefully  passed  to  the  eternal  hunting-grounds  of  their  fathers.  These  people 
were  as  happy  in  these  sylvan  homes  as  the  denizens  of  Fifth  avenue,  and  quite  as  proud. 
Their  wants  were  simple  and  easily  met ;  their  ambition  was  limited  and  easily  gratified. 
They  were  firm  friends,  but  implacable  foes ;  they  rarely  forgot  a  kindness  or  forgave  a 
wrong.  This  was  the  place  assigned  for  the  City  of  Easton.  On  this  narrow  peninsula, 
hemmed  in  by  these  mountains,  by  the  Bushkill,  Delaware  and  Lehigh,  is  the  place  which 
William  Parsons  assigned  for  the  city  of  the  future. 


MICHAEL    SCHLATTER. 

A  NOTICE  of  the  above-named  gentleman  is  introduced  thus  early  in  the  history 
because  of  his  connection  with  a  benevolent  movement  in  Europe,  which  greatly  aided 
in  establishing  the  first  church  and  school-house  in  Easton,  in  1755,  three  years  after  the 
county  of  Northampton  was  established  and  five  years  after  the  town  was  surveyed. 

Rev.  Mr.  Schlatter  was  bom  in  St.  Gall,  in  a  lonely  valley  on  the  banks  of  the  Stein- 
ach,  in  Switzerland,  July  14,  1716.  In  his  fourteenth  year  he  was  confirmed  and  admitted 
to  full  communion  in  the  Reformed  Church.  He  was  naturally  of  a  roving  spirit,  which  is 
not  always  a  virtue,  but  came  to  be  the  element  of  his  great  usefulness  in  the  New  World. 
He  had  relatives  in  Holland  who  induced  him  to  spend  much  time  in  that  country,  and 
while  there  he  heard  of  the  destitute  condition  of  the  Germans  in  Pennsylvania.  He  felt 
somewhat  as  Paul  did,  on  the  banks  of  the  ^gean  Sea,  after  hearing  the  Macedonian  cr>'. 
He  longed  to  visit  his  brethren  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  Holland, 
and  by  the  Synods  of  North  and  South  Holland  was  commissioned  to  preach  the  Gospel  in 
the  land  of  William  Penn.  He  was  sent  as  an  organizer,  and  received  his  instructions 
from  the  Synods  of  Holland,  i.  He  was  to  visit  the  different  settlements  throughout 
which  the  Reformed  sheep  were  scattered,  to  gather  and  organize  them  into  churches 
where  this  was  not  done ;  and  where  this  was  not  properly  done  to  induce  them  to  select 


lo  THE  HISTORY  OF 

the  proper  officers,  have  them  installed,  and  thus  perfect  their  organizations.  2.  To  ascer- 
tain the  amount  that  each  congregation  could  give  annually  for  the  support  of  a  minister 
sent  among  them.  3.  To  visit  the  ministers  already  in  the  field  and  enlist  their  sympa- 
thies for  the  formation  of  a  Synod.  4.  He  was  to  pay  annual  visits  to  the  ministers  and 
consistories,  and  learn  the  wants  of  the  churches. 

When  he  arrived  in  this  countr)-,  in  1746,  he  found  30,000  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church  scattered  in  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  IMar>-land  and  Virginia.  In  visiting  these 
people  during  the  next  four  years,  before  returning  on  his  mission  to  Europe,  he  tra\elled 
nearly  ten  thousand  miles  on  horseback,  and  was  at  the  same  time  pastor  of  a  church  in 
Philadelphia.  He  was  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  energetic  workers  in  the  church  in 
the  early  history-  of  our  countr\-.  In  thus  passing  through  these  scattered  congregations, 
he  had  become  well  acquainted  with  the  religious  and  educational  wants  of  his  people ; 
and  he  could  see  no  hope  of  relief  but  in  a  mission  to  Europe.  He  had  passed  through  a 
serious  trouble  in  his  church  by  the  efforts  of  a  young  minister  to  crowd  him  out  of  his 
pulpit.  This  difficulty  had  been  settled  in  favor  of  Mr.  Schlatter  by  a  committee  of 
Quakers,  and  his  church  resolved  he  should  go  to  Europe  and  present  the  claims  of  the 
needy  churches  amid  the  forests  of  the  New  World.  He  wrote  a  powerful  appeal  to  the 
churches  of  Holland,  which  aroused  the  sympathies  of  the  people,  and  money  was  liberally 
given.     It  was  translated  into  the  Gennan  and  sent  into  Germany  with  the  same  effect. 

On  pages  262  and  263  of  "Harbaugh's  Life  of  Schlatter, "  we  learn  that  this  appeal  of 
Schlatter  was  translated  into  English  by  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson,  preaching  for  an  English 
congregation  in  Amsterdam,  and  a  member  of  that  Classis,  and  was  widely  circulated  in 
England  and  Scotland,  backed  by  a  personal  visit  and  appeal  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Thompson, 
urging  its  claims  upon  the  benevolent  in  England.  Such  was  the  impression  made  on  the 
British  nation  that  the  King,  the  royal  family  and  the  nobles  were  induced  to  lead  off  by 
contributions  toward  a  school  fund  for  the  benefit  of  the  Gennans  in  America.  Having 
laid  this  matter  open  in  England,  Mr.  Thompson  also  carried  the  application  for  aid  into 
Scotland,  where  himself  was  known,  and  represented  the  case  before  the  General  Assembly 
(Presbyterian),  then  sitting  in  Edinburgh.  The  result  was  the  taking  up  a  collection  of 
twelve  thousand  pounds  sterling;  and  Rev.  Mr.  Muhlenberg  tells  us  that  in  1754  the  sum 
had  reached  twenty  thousand  pounds  sterling  in  Scotland  alone.  These  were  quite  likely 
the  happiest  days  in  Mr.  Schlatter's  life,  when  he  saw  he  had  been  instnnnental  in  arousing 
the  benevolent  feelings  of  the  people  of  Holland,  Gennany,  Switzerland,  England  and 
Scotland,  and  found  a  steady  stream  of  contributions  flowing  to  America  for  years  after  he 
had  returned  and  until  the  churches  were  able  to  stand  alone.  This  was  the  fund  from 
the  proceeds  of  which  the  log  church  and  school  house  was  in  jiart  l)uilt  in  Easton  in 
1755,  in  which  a  school  was  maintained  —  the  first  free  school  in  Easton. 

Mr.  Schlatter  names  forty-si.\  congregations  which  he  visited  before  he  went  to 
l'",uni])c,  and  among  them  was  that  at  the  "  Forks  of  tlie  Delaware"  (Page  203,  "  Life  of 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  „ 

Schlatter,");  and  having  visited  it  and  ascertained  its  needs,  it  is  not  likely  he  wonld 
neglect  it  afterwards.  From  this  we  may  conclude  that  help  was  given  at  the  ' '  Forks, ' '  as 
well  as  at  other  points.  The  records  of  distribution  were  imperfectly  kept,  and  not  well 
preserved,  so  that  the  points  receiving  aid  must  to  some  extent  be  a  matter  of  conjecture. 

Among  the  friends  of  Mr.  Schlatter,  none  seemed  to  rejoice  more  heartily,  in  view  of 
his  success,  than  Muhlenberg,  who  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  praise  of  his  energy  and 
success.  He  was  seven  years  older  than  Schlatter,  and  had  been  in  America  four  years 
longer,  and  knew  the  destitutions  quite  as  well  as  Schlatter,  and  they  rejoiced  together. 
Each  rejoiced  in  the  success  of  their  mutual  toil.  It  is  a  very  difircult  matter  for  us  at 
this  day  to  obtain  an  idea  of  the  exacting  labor  of  this  devoted  apostle  to  the  Gennans. 
From  the  northern  part  of  Pennsylvania,  through  New  Jersey,  and  Maryland,  and  Vir- 
ginia, this  faithful  man  pursued  his  toilsome  way,  through  forests  without  roads,  over 
rivers  without  bridges,  carrying  his  meals  in  his  saddle-bags,  sleeping  at  times  in  the  open 
air,  carrying  money  and  books  for  distribution,  preaching,  administering  the  communion, 
baptizing  children,  confirming  adults,  organizing  churches,  installing  officers,  visiting  the 
sick  and  burying  the  dead,  which  will  serve  to  give  us  something  of  an  idea  of  his  hard 
toil.  He  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1746,  and  his  mind  was  soon  turned  to  the  organization 
of  a  Synod  of  a  Reformed  Church.  Notice  had  been  given  for  a  meeting  of  ministers  and 
elders  at  Mr.  Schlatter's  house,  on  Chestnut  Hill.  Thirty-one  ministers  and  elders  were 
present,  and  on  the  29th  of  September,  1747,  the  first  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  was 
formed  in  the  New  World.  Mr.  Schlatter  was  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  the  people, 
from  the  Governor  down  to  the  humblest  toiler  building  homes  for  future  civilization.  As 
soon  as  Mr.  Schlatter  returned,  schools  were  established,  and  opened  to  all  Protestant 
denominations.*  The  pupils  were  to  be  instructed  in  English,  German,  writing,  book- 
keeping, singing  of  Psalms,  and  the  "true  principles  of  the  holy  Protestant  religion,  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  fathers  were  instructed  at  the  schools  in  those  countries  from  which 
they  came.  They  were  to  have  schools  for  girls,  and  lady  teachers  to  teach  the  use  of  the 
needle.  All  were  to  be  taught  the  catechism  of  sound  doctrine  which  is  approved  by  their 
own  ministers  and  parents.  Catechisms  used  by  Calvanists  and  Lutherans  were  to  be 
printed  in  'English  and  Dutch'  (German)  and  distributed  among  the  poor,  together  with 
other  good  books,  at  the  expense  of  the  society. ' '  Trustees  were  appointed  to  watch  over 
the  schools  and  report  to  the  principal  trustees.  The}-  were  to  have  quarterly  meetings, 
at  which  Schlatter  was  to  be  present.  Over  the  whole  system  of  schools  thus  established, 
Mr.  Schlatter  was  to  have  supervision,  establishing  and  visiting  the  schools.  A  paper  was 
established  for  the  use  of  the  schools,  in  Philadelphia,  published  in  the  German  language. 

Here  we  have  a  system  of  free  schools  in  the  early  colonial  history  of  Pennsylvania, 
with  quarterly  and  annual  meetings,  sustaining  a  printing  press,  established  by  the  energy 
and  unselfishness  of  Rev  Mr.  Schlatter,  over  which  he  was  appointed  superintendent.     It 

*  Schlatter's  Life,  page  272. 


12  THE  HISTORY  OF 

must  have  been  a  source  of  pleasing  reflection  to  the  faithful,  toiling  ser\'ant  of  God,  as 
he  passed  through  the  country',  visiting  the  pupils  in  their  log  school  houses,  carefully 
preparing  for  the  battles  of  life,  and  realize  the  part  he  had  been  permitted  to  take  in 
the  great  work.  He  visited  Easton  before  he  went  to  Europe,  as  this  was  one  of  the 
forty-six  congregations  mentioned  by  him  in  his  appeal.  He  presented  a  Bible  to  the 
Refonned  Church  at  the  "  Forks  of  the  Delaware,"  translated  by  Martin  Luther,  and  this 
precious  volume  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  church,  and  carefully  kept  in  the  safe  at 
the  store  of  Mr.  Anglemeyer.  The  following  is  an  inscription,  found  in  the  front  part  of 
the  Bible,  translated  by  Dr.  Detwiller:  "Biblia  Sacra,  or  Holy  Bible,  was  presented  by 
Michael  Schlatter,  V.  D.  M. ,  and  Inspector  of  the  Liberties  at  Philadelphia,  to  the  Reformed 
Easton  Church  and  congregation,  with  the  friendly  request  that  the  elders  and  deacons 
shall  bear  reasonable  concern  for  their  followers  that  this  Bible  is  used  for  and  during  pub- 
lic service  in  the  church.     Soli :  Gloria  in  Excelsis,  Deo." 

The  list  of  churches  on  page  203  of  "Harbaugh's  Life  of  Schlatter,"  indicates  that  he 
visited  Easton  (the  "Forks")  before  he  went  to  Europe,  in  the  early  part  of  1751  ;  and  the 
gift  of  this  Bible  indicates  a  visit  subsequent  to  his  return.  He  was  doubtless  led  here  by 
his  duties  as  a  minister  and  superintendent  of  the  charity  schools.  He  died  in  1790,  and 
was  buried  in  Philadelphia,  in  what  is  now  Franklin  Square.  In  1837  the  city  took  pos- 
session of  the  burying  ground.  Some  of  the  bodies  were  removed,  more  remained.  Among 
those  that  remained  was  Mr.  Schlatter's.  The  surface  was  some  four  or  five  feet  lower 
than  the  surrounding  ground.  The  tombstones  were  laid  flat  upon  the  graves,  and  the 
low  surface  was  graded  to  a  level.  That  beautiful  square  covers  thousands  of  silent  sleep- 
ers awaiting  the  resurrection  of  the  just.  Directly  east  of  the  sparkling  jets,  a  few  feet  in 
from  the  circular  gravel-walk,  under  the  green  sod,  lie  the  Revs.  Steiners,  Winkhaus, 
Drs.  Weyberg  and  Hendel,  the  aged.  Directly  north  of  this  spot,  about  midway  between 
it  and  Vine  street,  lies  the  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  one  of  the  greatest  of  American  mis- 
sionaries ! 


EASTON,   PENNA. 


Geological  Description  of  the  Locality  of  Easton— The  First  House  at  the  Point  — Survey  of  the  Town  — Penii's 
Letter— Old  Names  of  Streets  —  Northampton  County  —  Court ;  First  Session  —  First  Hotel  —Vernon  —  First 
Families  — Employments— School  Fund— Building  a  School  House  — Church  — Subscribers. 


|HE  location  thus  chosen  upon  which  to  build  the  Town  seems  to  have 
been  a  whirlpool  caused  by  the  mingling  of  the  waters  of  the  two  rivers, 
as,  in  digging  wells,  driftwood  has  been  found  thirty  feet  below  the  surface. 
Rocks  weighing  tons,  of  the  conglomerate  formation,  are  also  found  six  or 
eight  feet  below  the  surface.  Of  these  rocks  there  is  no  formation  nearer 
than  twenty  miles  above  the  town,  along  the  Delaware.  The  same  causes  that 
produced  these  changes  are  still  at  work  along  the  shores  of  the  river. 
This  is  a  fine  region  for  the  geologist  to  examine.  "The  underlying  rock 
is  the  limestone  (secondar\'),  yet  within  a  short  distance  north  of  the  town 
there  is  a  hill  of  several  miles  in  length  of  the  primitive  formation,  while 
on  either  side  of  this  hill  the  limestone  rock  is  unmistakably  presented. 
Geologists  call  it  a  freak  of  nature,  and  such  an  upheaving  of  primary  rock  as  is  here 
to  be  seen  is  rarely  met  with.  For  the  formation  of  a  cabinet  of  minerals,  the  vicinity 
of  Easton  affords  one  of  the  best  opportunities  in  the  State ;  there  is  to  be  found  the 
yellow  serpentine  in  great  profusion ;  topaz,  berjd,  chalcedony,  and  other  precious  stones 
have  also  been  found.  Many  years  after  the  town  was  settled,  in  the  time  of  a  freshet  in 
the  Bushkill,  a  part  of  its  waters  united  with  the  Lehigh  through  a  gully  passing  nearly 
north  and  south,  halfway  between  the  Delaware  Bridge  and  the  Court  House"  (Square).* 
This  was  called  "Molasses  Hollow."  Upon  this  piece  of  land,  at  the  foot  of  Ferry  street, 
the  first  house  in  Easton  was  built  by  David  Martin  in  1739. 

When  the  County  of  Northampton  was  established  in  1752,  there  was  a  population  of 
over  six  thousand  inhabitants  in  the  county,  and  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey  were  crowd- 
ing towards  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  a  means  of  crossing  the  Delaware  was 
demanded,  and  a  ferry  was  established  at  "The  Point;"  and,  for  the  convenience  of  this 
ferry,  this  first  house  had  been  built.  It  was  a  one-story  log  house.  Travelers  were  taken 
across  either  river  in  row  boats,  and  if  the  traveler  was  pursuing  his  way  on  horseback,  the 
saddle  would  be  placed  in  the  boat  and  the  horse  would  swim  along  by  the  side.  This 
house  plays  a  very  important  part  in  the  history  of  Easton,  and  was  a  source  of  wealth  to 
all  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to  be  its  owner.  It  was  the  most  valuable  property  in  the 
town.  The  spot  upon  which  it  stood  became  one  of  the  most  prominent  in  the  histon,'  of 
the  State.  This  humble  structure  was  to  be  the  scene  of  diplomatic  struggles  between  the 
representatives  of  civilized  and  savage  life.  It  was  built  eleven  years  before  the  town  was 
surveyed,  and  during  these  early  years  David  Martin  was  "monarch  of  all  he  surveyed." 
The  dusky  children  of  the  forest  would  flit  past  his  quiet  home,  the  deer  would  gambol 
about  him,  an  occasional  traveler  would  cross  the  river,  stop  and  talk  a  few  moments  and 
*  Lehigh  Valley,  page  50-51. 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


pass  on  through  the  forest.  In  this  lonesome  way  this  first  denizen  of  Easton  passed  along 
the  silent  pathway  of  life,  little  dreaming  of  the  stirring  scenes  destined  to  make  his  log 
house  the  centre  of  such  an  abiding  interest. 

In  1750  Northampton  County  was  a  part  of  Bucks.  Thomas  Penn,  in  a  letter  from 
England,  dated  September  8,  1751,  to  Governor  Hamilton,  says  :  "Some  time  since  I  wrote 
to  Dr.  Graeme  and  Mr.  Peters  to  lay  out  some  ground  in  the  forks  of  the  Delaware  for  a 
town,  which  I  suppose  they  have  done,  or  begun  to  do.  I  desire  it  may  be  called  Easton, 
from  my  Lord  Pomfret's  house ;  and  whenever  there  is  a  new  county,  that  shall  be  called 
Northampton."  Thomas  Penn  had  married  a  daughter  of  Lord  Pomfret,  whose  name  was 
Julianna  Fennor.  The  names  of  Pomfret,  Fermor,  Julianna  and  Hamilton  were  the  names 
of  streets  crossing  Northampton  for  an  entire  century,  and  these  historic  names  were  dis- 
carded, and  the  numerals,  First,  Second,  Third  and  Fourth,  take  their  place.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  these  names,  so  intimately  connected  with  the  early  history  of  Easton,  should 
thus  have  been  lost.  The  survey  which  Thomas  Penn  alluded  to  in  his  letter  from  Eng- 
land, was  begun  in  1750  by  Parsons  and  Scull.  Thcrt-  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  work- 
men employed  by  the  surveyors  in  the  work 
of  clearing  the  streets,  cutting  the  timber,  and 
all  the  other  necessary  work  to  be  done.  This 
paper,  in  the  handwriting  of  William  Par- 
sons, is  in  the  possession  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Historical  Society,  dated  May  9,  1750  —  the 
day  on  which  the  survey  commenced.  Some 
of  the  hands  were  employed  nine  days,  and  y^\ 
so  on  to  one  or  two  days,  and  received  each  ^ 
eighteen  pence  per  day,  finding  their  own 
board.  One  of  these  workmen  was  Melchior 
Hay,  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  three  hundred 
acres  of  land,  upon  which  South  Easton  now 
stands.  This  was  the  great-grandfather  of  our  townsman,  Mr.  Hay,  now  a  merchant  near 
the  Post-office.  During  the  time  occupied  by  the  suniey  they  made  their  home  at  the 
public-house  of  John  Lefebre,  about  six  miles  up  the  Bushkill,  or  Lehicton,  or  Tatamy's 
Creek.  This  house  was  on  the  road  from  Easton  to  the  Wind  Gap,  near  where  Messinger's 
stood  twenty-five  years  ago.  This  was  the  nearest  public-house  to  Easton,  and  was  situated 
on  the  Indian  path  which  led  from  "The  Forks"  to  Tatamy's  Gap,  in  the  Blue  I\Ioun- 
tains.  This  path  also  passed  the  house  of  the  Indian  chief  Tatamy,  about  one  mile  from 
Lefebre' s. 

Lefebre  was  one  of  the  French  refugees,  or  Huguenots,  whose  ancestors  arrived  with 
the  early  Dutch  emigrants  about  1620,  in  connection  with  the  Depue's.  He  is  said  to  have 
been  a  man  of  intelligence,  kept  a  good  house  and  provided  liberally.  There  was  game  in 
the  forest,  and  at  that  time  of  the  year  fish  in  the  streams.  So  we  may  suppose  that  the 
surveying  party  lived  well  while  the  town  of  Easton  was  being  surveyed.  The  bill  was 
not  very  extravagant  —  only  ;^2,  iis.,  gd.,  for  ten  days,  and  this,  we  are  told,  included 
".sling.s."  There  is  no  doubt  the  landlord  felt  highly  honored  in  entertaining  such  guests. 
One  had  been,  and  tlie  otlicr  was,  Surveyor  General  of  Pennsylvania.  T]ic\-  liad  boon 
accustomed  to  cil\  life  in  I'hilacUlpliia.      .\11  the  politeness  of  his  ract  would  lie  called  into 


(TIN  S  FERRY   HOUSl-; 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  15 

action,  which  would  tend  to  make  the  temporary  home  pleasant.  The  survey  of  the  town 
was  finished  May  19,  1750. 

By  virtue  of  the  following  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  March  11,  1752,  the  County  of 
Northampton  was  erected:  "Whereas,  a  great  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper 
parts  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  by  their  petition,  have  hereby  represented  to  the  Governor 
and  Assembh-  of  this  Province  the  great  hardships  they  lie  under  by  being  so  remote  from 
the  seat  of  judicature  and  the  public  offices,  that  the  necessar}-  means  for  obtaining  justice 
is  attended  with  so  much  difficulty  and  expense  that  many  forego  their  rights  rather  than 
attempt  the  recovery  of  them  under  such  circumstances ;  while  others,  sensible  of  these 
difficulties,  commit  great  villainies  with  impunity." 

Influenced  by  these  reasons,  the  act  was  passed,  and  Northampton  County  was  set 
apart.  The  same  act  provided  that  Thomas  Craig,  Hugh  Wilson,  John  Jones,  Thomas 
Armstrong  and  James  Martin,  or  any  three  of  them,  were  to  purchase  land  at  a  convenient 
place  on  which  to  build  a  Court  House  and  prison.  At  a  council  held  in  Philadelphia  the 
9th  of  June,  1752,  Thomas  Craig,  Daniel  Broadhead,  Timothy  Horsefield,  Hugh  Wilson, 
James  Martin,  John  Vanatta,  Aaron  Depuy,  William  Craig  and  William  Parsons,  Esquires, 
were  appointed  Justices  of  the  new  County  of  Northampton.  The  first  session  of  the 
Court,  the  above-named  Justices  presiding,  was  held  June  16,  1752.  On  this  i6th  of  June 
Lewis  Gordon  appeared  before  the  Court,  and  stating  that  he  was  admitted  an  attorney  to 
practice  law  in  Philadelphia  and  Bucks,  was,  upon  his  prayer,  admitted  an  attorney  to 
practice  in  the  Courts  of  Northampton.*  At  this  same  day's  session,  William  Craig  and 
John  Anderson  applied  for  a  license  to  keep  a  hotel,  which  was  granted,  and  they  erected 
their  hotel  on  the  south  side  of  the  Square,  on  a  piece  of  land  adjoining  the  jail  lot. 
Nathaniel  Vernon  applied  for  license  at  the  time,  but  was  refused.  He  renewed  his  appli- 
cation in  December,  and  a  license  was  granted  to  him.  He  had  purchased  the  ferry  of  the 
heirs  of  David  Martin,  and  established  his  hotel  in  the  log  house  built  at  the  ferry.  The 
next  tavern  was  that  of  Paul  Miller,  who  came  from  Philadelphia.  In  1754  he  employed 
Jasper  Scull  to  build  a  tavern-house  for  him  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Fourth  and  North- 
ampton streets.  This  became  a  house  somewhat  noted  from  the  prominent  men  who  took 
their  lodgings  there  while  in  Easton.  Among  those  was  Governor  Denny  while  attending 
the  Indian  treaty. 

In  a  letter,  dated  December  8,  1752,  six  months  after  the  first  session  of  the  Court, 
William  Parsons  says  that  there  were  then  eleven  families  living  in  town  (probably  about 
forty  men,  women  and  children);  and  in  the  histories  of  Northampton  County  and  Lehigh 
Valley  we  have  a  list  of  these  families  and  their  callings :  William  Parsons,  Clerk  of 
Courts,  &c. ;  Lewis  Gordon,  lawyer ;  Henry  Alshouse,  carpenter  ;  Abraham  Berlin,  smith  ; 
Nathaniel  Vernon,  ferryman  ;  William  Craig  and  John  Anderson,  tavern-keepers  ;  Paul 
Miller,  tavern-keeper ;  Ernest  Becker,  baker ;  Anthony  Esser,  butcher ;  John  Finley, 
mason  ;  Myer  Hart,  shop-keeper. 

Abraham  Berlin  was  a  blacksmith  and  prepared  the  ironwork  for  the  jail.  His  name 
appears  prominently  in  the  business  transactions  of  the  town,  and  was  an  active  member 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

Ernest  Becker  was  a  baker — a  new-comer  from  German}-.  He  was  the  maternal 
grandfather  of  Mr.  George  Troxell,  to  whom  Mr.  Becker  told  the  circumstances  of  his 

*  Rupp's  History  of  Northampton. 


i6  THE  HISTORY  OF 

arrival  in  Easton  with  his  famih- :  "\\^hen  I  came  to  Easton  there  were  onh-  three  houses 
built,  in  none  of  which  was  there  room  to  accommodate  myself  and  family ;  therefore, 
I  was  obliged  to  unload  my  goods  upon  the  piiblic  square,  and  there,  under  a  tree,  strike 
up  a  tent  and  encamp  until  I  had  erected  a  small  house,  which  did  not  require  many  days. 
The  neighbors  generously  aided  me  in  building  my  home."  The  new  mansion  stood  in 
North  Hamilton  (Fourth)  street,  several  perches  from  Northampton  street.  There  is  little 
doubt  but  what  this  first  baker  of  Easton  was  as  happy  in  this  log  structure  as  the  present 
inhabitants  in  the  costly  homes  of  Third  and  Fourth  streets.  He  said:  "My  intention 
was  to  follow  my  business  as  a  baker.  I  labored  under  considerable  difficulties ;  the  pro- 
curing flour  rendered  it  necessary  for  me  to  go  to  Bethlehem,  where  a  mill  had  been  erected 
a  few  vears  before,  and  there  being  no  road  to  that  place  yet  opened,  I  took  a  bag  and 
walked  there  on  the  Indian  path,  and  returned  with  as  much  flour  on  my  back  as  I  could 
conveniently  carry.  My  supply  was  frequently  replenished  in  this  way."  If  our  bakers  of 
the  present  day  were  compelled  to  carr\-  their  flour  as  far  as  this  sturdy  German  carried  his, 
we  should  not  complain  if  their  loaves  were  small. 

Mr.  Anthony  Esser  was  the  first  butcher  of  Easton.  He  had  no  wagon  at  that  early 
day,  because  he  could  not  use  one  if  he  had,  as  there  were  no  roads ;  and  so,  we  suppose, 
he  delivered  his  meat  to  his  customers  in  a  basket  from  house  to  house.  But  when  the 
crowds  attended  the  Indian  treaties,  the  baker  and  butcher  had  a  harvest.  A  large  stock 
was  prepared,  and  there  were  lively  times  in  the  little  town.  In  the  early  days  of  April, 
1757,  William  Parsons  was  preparing  to  move  into  his  new  house  on  the  comer  of  Fourth 
and  Ferr\-  streets,  as  it  was  then  complete.  He  had  some  difficulty  in  getting  meat  for 
his  friends  at  the  moving,  when  there  would  be  a  large  party  in  attendance.  He  could 
get  no  mutton,  and,  what  was  more,  he  could  get  no  one  to  cook  it.  But  the  matter  was 
finally  arranged,  and  he  moved  into  the  new  home,  and  had  high  hopes  of  enjoying  the 
comforts  of  life  in  his  new  mansion. 

John  Finley  was  the  first  mason  of  our  city,  and  laid  up  the  walls  of  the  prison  in 
1752.  The  stone  wall  enclosing  the  prison  was  built  at  a  later  day.  Meyer  Hart  was 
the  first  merchant  of  Easton.  His  stock  was  ver}-  small  when  he  began  business,  as  the 
number  of  his  customers  was  limited.  In  1763  his  county  tax  was  nineteen  shillings, 
being  more  than  was  paid  by  any  other  man  in  Easton.  At  this  time  he  owned  three 
houses,  several  negroes,  besides  his  stock  in  trade.  In  1782  his  stock  was  vahied  at  $1200. 
What  composed  his  stock  is  hard  to  tell  ;  quite  likely  dr>-  goods  and  groceries.  Meyer 
Hart  had  a  son  named  Michael,  who  established  himself  in  a  store  in  town,  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  public  square.  *An  anecdote  is  told  about  Michael,  who  had  tlie  mis- 
fortune of  being  a  stammerer,  and  had  received  the  name  of  the  "stuttering  Jew. "  A 
country  woman  came  into  his  store,  and  not  knowing  Michael,  innocently  inquired  if  he 
was  the  "stuttering  Jew."  Instantly  he  became  very  angrA',  and  it  was  only  because  of 
her  fleetness  on  foot  that  she  escaped  his  wrath,  and  then  only  by  concealing  herself  in  a 
neighbor's  store  till  the  storm  was  passed  and  the  descendant  of  Abraham  had  allowed 
his  passion  to  subside. 

The  funds  arising  from  Mr.  Schlatter's  visit  to  Europe  had  begun  to  arrive  in  tliis 
country,  and  the  people  of  Easton  desired  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  fund  thus  established 
in  aid  both  of  a  church  and  scliool  liouse.     The  Pcnns  had  determined  that  Easton  should 

-Hist.  I,,  v.,  l.aKc64. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  17 

be  the  county  seat.  It  would  thus  become  a  business  centre  ;  it  should  be  a  relis^ious 
and  educational  centre  as  well.  And  so,  in  1755,  the  people  moved  in  the  matter.  They 
needed  a  school  house  and  church,  but  as  they  could  not  build  both,  they  would  build 
one  which  would  answer  the  purpose  of  both.  A  Board  of  Trustees  had  been  appointed 
in  Pennsylvania,  of  which  William  Smith,  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  University, 
was  one,  and  to  him  the}-  would  appeal  for  aid.  And  after  the  building  was  finished, 
Mr.  Schlatter,  as  missionary'  of  the  churches  and  superintendent  of  the  schools,  would 
aid  in  their  support. 

The  following  article  speaks  for  itself:  "We,  the  subscribers,  being  truly  sensible  of 
the  great  advantages  our  posterity  may  reap  from  the  excellent  charitable  scheme  lately 
formed  in  England  for  the  education  of  Protestant  youth  in  Pennsylvania,  and  being 
extremely  desirous  to  encourage  and  promote  the  same,  as  far  as  in  our  power  lies,  have 
engaged  and  agreed,  and  do  hereby  engage  and  agree  to  and  with  William  Parsons,  James 
Martin,  Peter  Trexler,  Esq. ,  John  Lefebre,   Lewis  Gordon  and  Peter  Kichline,  deputy 


THE   FIRST   CHURCH    AND    SCHOOL    HOUSE. 


trustees,  mentioned  and  appointed  by  the  trustees  general  of  the  said  charitable  scheme, 
that  each  of  us  will  pay  the  sum  of  money  and  do  and  perform  the  work,  labor  and 
service  in  building  and  erecting  a  school  house,  which  may  occasionally  be  made  use  of 
as  a  church  for  any  protestant  minister,  to  our  names  hereunto  respectively  set  down 
and  affixed.     Dated  Easton,  Pa.,  the  31st  day  of  July,  1755. 

"William  Smith,  in  behalf  of  the  Proprietor  and  Trustees,  ^30;  William  Parsons, 
;^5;  Lewis  Gordon,  ;^3;  Nicholas  Scull,  ^3;  Nathaniel  Vernon,  ^^3;  Peter  Kichline,  ^2 ; 
Christian  Rinker,  ^^i ;  Jacob  Bachnian,  £\ ;  Jacob  Miner,  ^i ;  Adam  Yohe,  _^i ;  Lewis 
Knaus,  105;  Lewis  Klotz,  laj;  Henry  Becker,  7.?;  Geo.  Michael  Shurtz,  155;  John 
Levitz,  15.?;  Anthony  Esser,  15.^';  George  Reichart,  15^;  John  Wagle,  ;^i;  Geo.  Ernest 
Becker,  ^^i;  John  Rinker,  loj;  N.  N.,  -js;  Daniel  Gies,  5J;  Jeremiah  C.  Russel,  ^i; 
Paul  Miller,  £1  5^;  John  Fricker,  £\  6j;  Meyer  Hart,  20  lbs.  nails;  Paul  Reeser,  1000 
shingles;  Jacob  Minor,  12  days'  work;  Stephen  Horn,  i  week's  work;  Henry  Alshouse, 
5  days'  work;  John  Finley,  6  days'  work;  John  Nicholas  Reeder,  6  days'  work; 
Bartholomew  Hoffman,  5  days'  mason  work;    Robert  Miller,  4  da}-s'  work;  John  Henr\- 


i8  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Bush,  5  days'  carpenter  work;  Jacob  Krotz,  5  days'  carpenter  work;  James  Fuller,  5 
days'  stone  digging;  John  Chapman,  3  days'  carting  stone;  Henr\-  Rinker,  30  bushels 
of  lime;  Henr}^  Bush  and  John  Weidman,  30  wagons  stone  and  digging;  Thomas 
Harris,   50  sash  lights." 

The  value  of  the  subscription  in  Easton,  including  money  and  work,  was  about  $200. 
The  house  was  built  of  logs,  and  was  finished  in  1755.  There  were  three  rooms — one 
large  and  two  small.  This  was  three  years  after  the  county  was  established,  and  five 
years  after  the  town  was  laid  out  by  William  Parsons  and  Nicholas  Scull.  There  were 
eleven  families  in  1752,  which  had  increased  to  forty  in  1755,  when  the  jail  had  been 
completed,  and  the  new  church  and  school  house  erected.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the 
educational  interests  of  Easton  began  with  the  German  population,  through  the  influence 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Schlatter,  who  had  succeeded  in  influencing  the  English  king  and  Court  in 
the  fonnation  of  a  society,  whose  object  was  to  educate  the  poor  Gennans  of  Pennsylvania. 
Half  of  the  money  contributed  to  build  the  school  house  came  from  that  society.  It  was 
an  important  step  in  the  progress  of  society  when  this  humble  building  was  finished  ;  it 
marks  an  era  in  the  progress  of  the  rising  town,  and  was  a  source  of  real  pride  to  the 
commiinity,  as  it  met  the  wants  of  the  public  at  the  time,  as  well  as  the  more  costly 
structures  of  the  present  day. 

Robert  Traill  taught  school  one  year  while  preparing  for  admission  to  the  bar,  and 
there  is  no  doubt  he  performed  the  duties  of  pedagogue  in  this  first  temple  of  science 
in  Easton.  Here  we  have  a  Scotchman  from  the  Orkneys  teaching  English  to  the 
Germans  from  the  Palatinate.     But  we  suppose  he  did  his  work  well. 


OLD    LEHIGH    CHAIN    BRIDGE 

BUILT    1811. 


"WILLIAM    PARSONS, 

'■  William  Parsons  rocked  Easton  in  her  cradle,  and  watched 

over  her  infant  footsteps  with  paternal  solicitude." — Anon. 


William  Parsons  ;  Birth ;  Arrival  in  America ;  Married  in  Philadelphia ;  A  Shoemaker  by  Trade ;  Surveyor 
General  ;  Moved  to  Easton  ;  Prothonotary  ;  Recorder  ;  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  Member  of  the 
Provincial  Assembly  — Grace  Parsons ;  Her  Mission  to  Philadelphia  — Indian  War;  Terror  and  Alarm  — 
Parsons  Builds  His  House  ;    Health  Fails  ;    His  Death  ;    Parsons'   Family. 


|II,LIAM  PARSONS  has  been  properly  called  the  "God-father  of  Easton" 
by  the  historian  of  Bucks  Cotinty.  The  historian  of  Northampton  County 
calls  him  the  "father  of  the  infant  town."  By  his  kindness  toward  the 
early  settlers  of  Easton,  by  his  earnest  toil,  self-denying  labor,  fearlessness 
and  manly  courage,  indomitable  perseverance  for  the  people  of  his  care,  in 
which  he  injured  his  health  and  shortened  his  days,  he  has  nobly  won  the 
distinction  thus  given  him  by  the  pen  of  the  thoughtful  historian.  The 
first  writer  above  alluded  to,  after  speaking  of  the  character  of  this  re- 
markable man,  says,  "And  he  sleeps  in  a  neglected  graveyard."  One  can 
but  think  of  the  words  on  Pompey's  tomb,  "He,  who  once  deserved  a 
temple,  can  scarce  find  a  tomb."  The  people  of  Easton  are  not  ungrateful. 
And,  as  the  city  shall  grow  in  wealth  and  importance, — and,  as  the  noble  Institution  on 
Mount  Lafayette  shall  become  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude  in  the  educational  world,  the 
people  of  Easton  will  think  more  tenderly  of  William  Parsons,  and  build  him  a  monu- 
ment to  commemorate  his  virtues,  and  inspire  their  children  with  the  unselfish  spirit  of 
this  remarkable  man. 

William  Parsons  was  born  in  England  on  the  6th  of  May,  1701.  While  a  youth,  he 
came  to  America,  and  settled  in  Philadelphia.  Philadelphia  was  over  forty  years  old 
when  young  Parsons  took  up  his  residence  there  and  began  life  with  all  the  ardor  inspired 
by  the  busy  scenes  and  rapid  growth  of  the  Cit>-  of  Brotherly  Love.  He  was  married  in 
Philadelphia  at  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  worked  for  many  years  at  his  trade,  being  a 
shoemaker.  There  are  very  few  employments  in  which  there  is  so  much  time,  and  so 
many  opportunities,  for  meditation  and  study,  as  that  of  a  shoemaker.  And  we  can  easily 
imagine  the  care  which  young  Parsons  took  to  employ  his  spare  hours  in  study.  We  can 
see  his  books  lying  upon  his  bench,  day  after  day.  We  see  him  studying  his  grammar, 
writing  his  letters,  and  thus  employing  his  time  in  preparing  for  positions  of  usefulness 
of  which  he  had  not  dreamed.  His  evenings  were  careftilly  spent  at  home  with  his  family. 
While  Mrs.  Parsons  was  busy  with  her  family  cares,  her  husband  was  busy  with  his  books. 
Having  a  fondness  for  mathematics,  works  on  geometry,  trigonometry  and  surveying  were 
the  books  which  occupied  those  leisure  hours.  While  others  may  have  read  books  for 
pleasure,  he  was  studying  for  business.      He  was  in  a  new  world.      The  great  State  of 


20  THE  HISTORY   OF 

Pennsylvania  was  to  be  surveyed.  Some  one  must  traverse  her  vast  domain  with  chain, 
theodolite  and  compass.  And  thns  he  spent  his  days  in  earning  bread  for  his  family,  and 
his  hours  of  bodily  rest  in  preparing  for  future  usefulness.  The  energies  of  his  intellect 
were  too  vigorous  to  be  confined  in  a  shoemaker's  shop.  He  was  ambitious  for  a  wider 
field  of  labor.  It  is  not  strange  if  he  had  some  ideas  of  future  fame.  In  his  new  home 
there  was  room  for  ambitious  minds  to  expand,  and  grow  strong,  and  reach  after,  and 
grasp  the  prizes  which  were  in  store  for  the  earnest,  industrious,  persevering  mind.  Xo 
doubt  the  star  of  hope  rose  brightly,  and  shone  clearly,  before  him,  while  toiling  by  day 
and  studying  by  night.  He  seems,  practically,  to  have  adopted  the  motto  of  an  eminent 
man,  "  Ditm  vivimiis  vivamiis.^^  How  patiently  he  toiled,  how  carefully  he  studied,  how 
successfully  he  mastered  the  science  and  art  of  sur\'eying,  appears  from  his  complete 
success  in  grasping  the  object  of  his  ambition.  Nineteen  years  after  his  marriage,  being 
forty  years  of  age,  and  in  1741,  he  received  the  appointment  of  sur\-e}or  general  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  laid  aside  his  apron,  bundled  up  his  tools,  gave  his  commission  to  Mrs. 
Parsons  for  safe  keeping,  took  his  surveyor's  chain,  theodolite  and  compass,  and  plunged 
into  the  woods,  to  lay  out  the  boundaries  of  counties  and  towns  in  the  grand  common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania.  He  had  patiently  struggled  and  nobly  won  his  proud  position. 
He  felt  he  had  not  toiled  for  naught.  Those  busy  years  of  toil  and  study  had  borne  fruit. 
He  had  risen  by  his  own  industry,  and  had  an  honest  right  to  be  proud.  He  could  look 
back  to  his  home  across  the  sea,  he  could  think  of  himself  as  a  strange  youth  in  a  strange 
land,  with  little  to  help  him  but  honest}-  of  purpose,  industrious  habits,  and  indomitable 
perseverance  ;  and  these  lifted  him  up  from  the  shoemaker's  bench  to  the  proud  position 
of  surveyor  general  of  the  noble  commonwealth,  where  the  spirit  of  persecution  for  re- 
ligious opinion  has  never  dared  to  raise  its  head  —  one  of  the  brightest  spots  on  earth.  Mr. 
Parsons  was  uot  a  man  of  a  strong  constitution,  and  found  the  position  of  sur\-eyor  very 
laborious,  while  it  was  an  honorable  one,  and  quite  profitable.  Yet  he  held  the  position 
but  seven  years,  having  been  compelled  to  resign  the  office  in  1748,  on  account  of  ill- 
health.  He  then  removed  to  Lancaster,  and  remained  there  until  the  laying  out  of  the 
town  of  Easton  and  the  erection  of  the  county  of  Northampton  rendered  his  services  in- 
dispensable to  the  Penns,  who  induced  him  to  leave  Lancaster  and  take  up  his  residence 
in  Easton,  for  the  purpose  of  filling  the  offices  of  Prothonotar>-  and  Clerk  of  the  Courts  of 
Northampton  ;  and  also  to  adil  as  the  proprietaries'  agent  in  taking  care  of  their  property 
interests  in  the  county.  How  faithfully  he  perfonned  his  duties  to  his  employers  and  to 
the  people  of  the  town,  will  appear  as  we  proceed  with  his  history.  In  1752,  we  find  our 
friend  Parsons  engaged  in  his  new  sphere  of  activity.  His  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  the 
people,  in  the  present  and  future  of  the  town,  is  manifest  in  the  following  extra<5ls  from 
a  letter  to  Richard  Peters,  Secretary  of  the  Proprietan.-  Government  :  "Upon  removing 
my  family  to  this  place,  my  thoughts  have  been  more  engaged  in  considering  the  circiim- 
stances  of  this  infant  town  than  ever,  as  well  with  regard  to  its  neighborhood,  as  tlie 
probability  there  is  of  being  furnished  with  provisions  from  the  inhabitants  near  about  it; 
and  if  there  alread\'  is,  or  probably  may  in  time  be,  a  sufficient  number  of  settlers  to  carry 
on  any  trade  with  the  town,  for  witliout  these,  it  is  not  likely  it  would  be  improved  to 
any  great  height,  as  well  with  regard  to  the  town  it.self ;  that  is  to  .sa>-,  its  situation  as  to 
health,  trade  and  pleasantness.  Tlie  site  of  the  town  is  pleasant  and  \er>-  agreeable  ;  the 
banks  of  all  the  waters  bounding  it  are  l)igh  and  clear  ;    and  if  it  was  as  large  again  as  it 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  21 

is — being  now  about  one  hundred  acres — it  might  be  said  to  be  a  very  beautiful  place  for 
a  town.  It  is  true  that  it  is  surrounded  on  every  side  by  very  high  hills,  which  make  it 
appear  under  some  disadvantages  at  a  distance,  and  might  give  some  occasion  for  sus- 
picion of  its  not  being  very  healthy  ;  but  during  all  the  last  summer,  which  was  very 
dr}',  and  the  fall,  which  has  been  remarkably  wet,  I  don't  know  that  any  one  has  been 
visited  with  the  fever,  or  any  other  sickness,  notwithstanding  most  of  the  people  have 
been  much  exposed  to  the  night  air  and  wet  weather,  from  which  I  make  no  difficulty 
to  conclude  the  place  is,  and  will  continue,  very  healthy.  And  in  regard  to  the  trade  up 
the  river,  that  would  likewise  be  verj'  advantageous  to  the  town,  as  well  as  to  the  country 
in  general,  even  in  the  single  article  of  lumber,  as  there  is  plenty  of  almost  all  kinds  of 
timber  above  the  mountains,  where  there  are  also  many  good  conveniences  for  ere<?ting 
saw  mills,  and  several  are  built  already,  from  whence  the  town  might  be  supplied  with 
boards,  shingles,  etc.  The  west  branch  will  also  be  of  advantage  to  the  town,  as  it  is 
navigable  several  miles  for  small  craft,  and  Tatamy's  creek  being  a  good  stream  of  water  to 
ere(?t  mills  upon,  will  also  contribute  towards  the  advancement  of  the  town  ;  the  Jersey 
side  being  at  present  more  settled  near  the  river,  opposite  the  forks,  than  the  Pensylvania 
side  ;  and  indeed  the  land  is  better  watered  and  more  convenient  for  settlement  than  it  is 
on  this  side,  for  several  miles  about  Easton.  We  have  been  supplied  as  much,  or 
more,  from  that  side  as  our  own.  But  how  Mr.  John  Cox's  project  of  laying  out  a  town 
upon  his  land,  adjoining  Mr.  Martin's  land,  on  the  side  of  the  river  opposite  to  Easton, 
may  affect  this  town,  is  hard  to  say  and  time  only  can  obviate.  To  the  northward  and 
westward  of  the  Dryland  are  the  Moravian  settlements,  about  eleven  miles  from  the 
town.  These  settlements  are  not  only  of  no  advantage,  but  rather  a  disadvantage  to  the 
town,  for,  being  an  entire  and  separate  interest  by  themselves,  corresponding  only  with 
one  another  where  they  can  avoid  it,  except  where  the  advantage  is  evidently  in  their 
favor,  it  can't  be  expected  the  town  can  reap  any  benefit  from  them.  And  this  leads  me 
to  wish  for  the  good  of  Easton,  if  the  Honorable,  the  proprietor,  should  incline  to  have 
the  Dryland' s  improved,  that  it  may  not  be  disposed  of  to  the  Moravians.  Not  because 
they  are  Moravians,  but  because  their  interests  interfere  so  much  with  the  interests  of  the 
town.  If  the  Drylands  should  be  chiefly  settled  by  them,  the  Master  Brethren  would 
have  the  sole  direction  and  disposal  of  all  that  should  be  raised  there,  which  would  be 
more  discouraging  and  worse  to  the  town  than  if  the  lands  were  not  inhabited  at  all. 

■  "  Upon  the  whole,  the  town  has  been  hitherto  very  well  supplied  with  meat,  beef, 
pork,  mutton,  butter,  turnips,  etc.  But  how  it  will  be  supplied  with  hay  and  pasturage, 
I  can't  clearly  forsee  ;    I  mean,  if  the  town  increase,  as  I  am  in  great  hopes  it  will. 

"  If  I  might  presume  to  speak  my  opinion,  and  I  know  you  expedl  I  should,  if  I  speak 
at  all,  I  could  wish  that  a  sufficient  quantity  of  the  Drylands  might  be  appropriated  for 
out-lots,  and  that  all  the  rest  were  to  be  settled  and  improved,  and  that  by  the  Dutch 
people,  although  they  were  of  the  poorer  sort  of  them.  I  don't  mention  the  Dutch  people 
from  any  peculiar  regard  I  have  for  them,  more  than  for  other  people,  but  because  they 
are  generally  more  laborious,  and  comfonnable  to  their  circumstances,  than  some  others 
amongst  us  are.  I  need  not  say  who  they  are,  but  it  is  an  old  observation,  that  poor 
gentle  folks  don't  always  prove  the  fittest  to  begin  new  places  where  labor  is  chiefly 
wanted.  There  are  now  eleven  families  in  Easton,  who  all  propose  to  stay  during  the 
winter,  and  when  our  prison  is  finished,  which  there  is  hopes  that  it  soon  will  be,  as  it  is 


22  THE  HISTORY  OF 

now  about  covered  in,  there   is  a  great  probability  tliat  that  number  will  be  increased 
before  spring." 

It  is  ver}-  evident,  from  the  above  letter,  that  the  Proprietaries  well  knew  their  agent 
before  they  chose  him.  There  seems  to  be  some  desire  to  know  just  what  was  intended 
by  "poor  gentle  folks,"  but  the  imagination  only  can  aid  us.  The  Proprietaries  seem  to 
haves  hared  the  uneasy  feelings  in  regard  to  the  growth  of  Phillipsburg.  And  Thomas 
Penn  wrote  to  Richard  Peters,  May  9th,  1752  :  "I  think  we  should  secure  all  the  land 
one  can  on  the  Jersey  side  of  the  water."  It  was,  no  doubt,  a  source  of  annoyance  to  Mr. 
Parsons  that  Phillipsburg  considerably  outnumbered  Easton  in  population.  This  entire 
letter  expresses  the  deepest  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  town,  the  wann  sympathies  of 
this  earnest  friend  of  Easton.  Mr.  Parsons  was  desirous  that  the  jail  should  be  soon 
finished,  not  to  incarcerate  prisoners,  but  to  be  a  place  of  refuge  in  case  of  invasion 
from  the  Indians,  to  whose  solid  enclosure  mothers  might  flee  with  their  babes  and  be 
safe,  and  where  the  daughters  of  Easton  might  be  safe  from  savage  violence.  No  man 
was  happier  than  he  when  this  old  castle  was  finished.  The  next  thing  to  which  Mr. 
Parsons  turned  his  attention  was  a  school  house,  which  should  serve  the  double  purpose 
for  school  and  church.  This,  too,  was  breathed  into  life  by  his  earnest  soul.  Four  years 
before,  there  had  been  formed  in  England,  and  in  some  parts  of  Germany,  a  society  whose 
purpose  was  to  educate  poor  Gennans  in  America.  The  king,  George  II,  had  subscribed 
largely  to  this  fund.  William  Parsons  applied  to  William  Smith,  president  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania,  for  aid  from  this  society.  Mr.  Smith  subscribed  thirty  pounds,  to 
this  Mr.  Parsons  subscribed  five  pounds,  others  added  small  sums,  until  the  sum  of  sixty- 
one  pounds  and  one  shilling  was  raised.  ' '  Mr.  Parsons  was  strongly  opposed  to  letting  the 
people  of  the  town  subscribe  at  all ;  for,  as  he  said,  they  were  all  Dutch,  and  so  stubborn 
were  they,  that  if  pennitted  to  have  any  voice  in  the  matter,  they  would,  by  their  obsti- 
nacy, frustrate  the  whole  enterprise.  By  this,  however,  he  did  not  desire  to  shut  out  the 
children  from  the  benefits  of  the  school,  but  preferred  they  should  receive  the  advantages 
gratuitously,  rather  than  b\-  receiving  their  subscriptions  incur  the  risk  of  their  inter- 
ference in  the  management."  Money  having  been  subscribed,  the  work  was  begun  and 
finished  in  1755.  It  was  a  log  structure,  and  stood  on  the  northeast  comer  of  Sitgreaves 
street  and  Church  alley.  This  was  the  first  school  house — the  first  church  building  erected 
in  Easton.  Mr.  Parsons  felt  an  honest  pride  in  the  completion  of  the  building.  Here  the 
people  could  go  to  church  on  the  vSabbath,  and  their  children  to  school  during  the  week. 
"  Here  the  slow -going  Lutherans  and  the  more  fiery  Presbyterians"  could  worship  God  in 
harmony  and  peace.  All  now  seemed  moving  along  very  successfully.  The  future 
seemed  to  brighten.  The  people  were  happy  with  such  evidence  of  prosperity  around 
them.  But  suddenly  the  report  came,  like  a  clap  of  thunder  from  a  cloudless  sky,  of  the 
murder  by  the  Indians  of  all  the  missionaries  and  inhabitants  at  Gnaden  Hutten  (now 
Wei.ssport).  All  was  consternation  at  Bethlehem  and  Easton.  All  feared  the  destru(5lion 
of  the  town.  All  that  could,  fled  for  safety  down  the  river.  Mr.  Parsons  wrote  to  Gov- 
ernor Morris,  informing  him  of  the  desperate  state  of  affairs  at  Easton.  He  had  no  arms, 
no  annnunition,  and  but  few  males  to  defend  the  town.  The  letter  implored  aid  in  men, 
arms,  and  all  necessaries  of  defen.se.  But  there  were  no  mails  to  carry  the  letter,  no 
money  to  pay  a  special  messenger,  and  no  man  could  be  spared.  Here  Mr.  Parsons  was 
put  to  the  sorest  trial  of  his  life.      There  was  no  one  wiio  could  be  sjiared  but  his  daughter 


EASTON,  PENN'A. 


23 


Grace.  If  her  father  desired  it,  she  would  take  the  letters  to  the  Governor,  a  distance  of 
sixty-fi\-e  miles,  a  two  days'  journey,  through  unbroken  forests,  guided  by  Indian  trails 
and  bridle-paths  to  Philadelphia.  It  may  not  be  easy  to  tell  the  feelings  of  the  father  as 
his  )-oung  daughter  came  from  the  house,  somewhat  pale  from  apprehension  and  excite- 
ment, mounted  her  favorite  steed,  and  receiving  what  might  be  the  last  kiss  from  the  lips 
of  her  fond  father,  started  upon  her  mission.  There  was,  perhaps,  some  comfort  in  the 
father's  mind  that  his  daughter  was  leaving  the  terror  of  an  Indian  massacre  behind  her, 
but  he  felt  she  might  meet  the  scalping  knife  ahead.  But  the  sacrifice  was  necessary,  and 
the  brave  father,  and  the  braver  daughter,  bore  their  mutual  share  of  the  dangers  of  those 
dark  days  in  the  history  of  our  now  beautiful  town.  The  walls  of  the  jail  would  defend 
the  women  and  children  that  remained.  While  others  fled.  Parsons  stood  at  his  post. 
While  his  daughter  was  bravely  pursuing  her  lonely  way  to  Philadelphia,  he  was  anxious 
to  defend  the  inhabitants  who  were  in  constant  fear  of  the  dreaded  foe.     Grace  Parsons 


HOUSE    ERECTED    BY   WILLIAM    PARSONS    IN   THE    YEAR    I757. 
NOW  OWNED  AND  OCCUPIED  BY  JACOB   DACHRODT. 

started  for  Philadelphia  the  latter  part  of  December,  1755.  During  the  entire  Winter  and 
Spring  the  people  of  the  town  were  in  a  state  of  anxiety.  Parsons  had  been  appointed 
Major  of  the  militia,  though  he  was  not  called  to  act. 

On  page  58,  of  the  History  of  Lehigh  Valley,  we  find  the  following:  "William 
Parsons,  from  the  eredlion  of  the  county  till  his  death,  December,  1757,  held  the  offices  of 
Prothonotary,  Clerk  of  the  Courts,  Recorder,  Clerk  of  the  Commissions,  and  Justice  of  the 
Peace.  In  1755  he  was  appointed  IVIajor  of  the  Continental  troops  ;  and,  in  1754,  he 
represented  Northampton  County  in  the  Provincial  Assembly." 

Though  the  business  of  the  Courts  was  small,  compared  with  to-day,  yet  his  duties 
must  have  been  burdensome,  indeed.  In  addition  to  all  this,  the  harassing  cares  of  the 
war  added  a  still  heavier  burden.  How  anxiously  he  watched  the  progress  of  the  prison 
walls  which  were  to  be  an  asylum  from  the  scalping  knife  of  the  treacherous  Indian  !    Not 


24  THE  HISTORY  OF 

an  element  of  danger  seemed  to  escape  his  ever-watchfiil  eyes,  and  he  was  constantly 
fonning  plans  for  the  better  protection  of  the  people  whose  care  he  had  voluntarily  and 
manfully  taken  upon  his  shoulders. 

The  following  letter*  to  Secretar\-  Peters,  Philadelphia,  tells  its  own  stor}-.  It  is 
dated  December  6th,  1756: 

' '  In  obedience  to  his  Honor' s  command,  I  do  hereby  humbly  certify  that  I  have 
supplied  Fort  Allen,  Fort  Norris,  Fort  Hamilton,  and  the  Fort  at  Hyndshaws,  with  powder 
and  lead,  out  of  the  magazine  at  Easton,  as  follows  : 

"August  24,  Fort  at  Hyndshaws,  153s  lbs.  powder,  90  lbs.  lead,  25  flints.     October 

II,  Fort  Hamilton,  50  lbs.  of  powder,  100  lbs.  of  lead.     October  17,  Fort  Norris,  20  lbs. 

of  powder,  23  lbs.  of  lead.     October  21,  Fort  Allen,  47  lbs.  of  powder,  103  lbs.  of  lead, 

and  150  flints.     October  26,  Fort  Norris,  25  lbs.  of  powder,  11  lbs.  of  lead.     Since  which 

a  further  supply  of  powder  and  lead  has  been  sent  to  Hyndshaws  Fort.     But  as  I  have  not 

the  receipt  in  town,  and  therefore  cannot  certifv'  the  quantity  supplied,  but  believe  all 

the  forts  are  pretty  well  supplied  at  present.     There  is  now  in  store  at  Easton  about  one 

barrel  of  powder,  and  a  proportionable  quantity  of  lead.     And  I  am  of  opinion,  that  it  will 

be  necessary  to  furnish  two  barrels  of  powder,  and  a  proportionable  quantity  of  lead,  for  a 

magazine  at  Easton  during  the  Winter  season.     And  as  I  imagine  the  country"  people  are 

not  all  of  them  sufl!iciently  provided  with  powder  and  lead,  I  think  it  would  not  be  amiss 

to  add  to  the  above  magazine  a  quantit}-  to  be  divided  among  them,  in  case  the  enenn- 

should  appear  again  on  our  frontiers  this  winter.     Flints  are  also  much  wanted. 

"I  am,  sir,  vour  obedient  and  humble  ser\'ant, 

"WM.  PARSONS." 

This  bountiful  supply  of  ammunition  came  in  answer  to  the  message  carried  to  Phila- 
delphia by  Miss  Grace  Parsons.  The  courageous  girl  succeeded  in  her  mission,  and 
brought  relief  to  the  terror-stricken  town,  and  the  heart  of  her  an.xious  father.  She  had 
braved  the  danger  of  a  long  journey,  along  which  silent  pathway  the  deadly  missile  might 
have  been  hurled  at  her  trembling  heart  by  the  lurking  savage.  She  knew  the  danger, 
and  dared  to  meet  it.  There  is  not  an  instance  of  more  daring  courage  in  the  histo^^•  of 
Easton,  yet  the  duty  was  perfonned  by  a  young  maiden,  at  the  request  of  her  father,  and 
by  a  sense  of  duty.  This  oue  deed  has  made  her  name  honorable  among  the  heroic 
characters  of  the  past  history  of  our  city.  There  is  no  evidence  that  she  returned  to 
console  her  father  during  his  declining  days  or  minister  to  his  wants  when  dying.  The 
mothers  of  Easton  may  well  feel  proud  of  this  noble  daughter  of  those  dark  days. 

Mr.  Parsons  had  been  for  some  time  building  a  house  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and 
Ferr}'  streets,  which,  having  been  finished,  he  would  move  into  it  in  the  month  of  April, 
and  felt  secure  within  its  massive  walls.  It  is  still  in  a  good  state  of  preser\-ation,  and 
should  be  preserved  as  a  monument  of  those  dark  days.  But  this  good  man  was  drawing 
toward  the  end  of  his  eventful  life.  His  health  was  failing,  and  in  the  Spring  of  1757  he 
went  on  a  journe>-  in  quest  of  health.  But  his  work  was  done.  He  was  a  noble,  faithful, 
honest,  earnest  man.  He  did  his  work  well.  He  was  a  true  friend  of  Easton  when  she 
needed  a  friend.  His  health  was  impaired,  and  his  life  .shortened  in  toiling  for  her 
welfare.  The  successful  growth  of  Easton  was  the  object  of  his  prayers,  the  happiness  of 
her  people  the  end  for  which  he  toiled.     In  lliis  matter  he  was  unselfish.      It  was  a  work 

*Penna.  Archivis,  Vol.  III.,  i>a«eSi. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


25 


of  love  and  anxious  care  for  a  young  and  growing  community,  which  was  always  ready  to 
listen  to  his  suggestions  for  the  common  good.  He  returned  to  Easton  after  a  short  time; 
his  health  was  failing.  He  gazed  upon  these  hills,  and  valleys,  and  beautiful  rivers ;  he 
saw  the  probability  of  peace  with  the  Indians.  He  died  December  22,  1757,  in  the  fifty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age.  No  people  ever  lost  a  better  friend  than  Easton  lost  when 
William  Parsons  died.      He  lies  in  the  grave  on  Mount  Jefferson.     In  pace  quiescat. 


THE    FAMILY   OF   WILLIAM    PARSONS. 

Any  new  matter  concerning  this  remarkable  man  is  of  deep  interest  to  every  lover  of 
Easton' s  history.  A  letter  received  from  Mr.  Ethan  A.  Weaver,  of  Philadelphia,  October 
25,  1885,  contains  some  new  fa6ls  which  we  gladly  record;  and  the  same  letter  has  led  to 
other  investigations  which  have  given  us  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  his  family.  Mr.  Par- 
sons came  to  this  country  when  quite  a  youth,  for  he  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one.  As  has  already  been  stated,  he  worked  at  his  trade  in  Philadelphia;  how  long  he  was 
thus  employed  it  may  be  difficult  to  ascertain.  He  could  not  have  been  a  man  of  leisure, 
or  he  would  not  have  learned  a  trade,  which  was  without  doubt  his  source  of  living.  His 
knowledge  of  mathematics  was  undoubtedly  obtained  in  this  countrv',  for  it  was  nearly 
twenty  years  after  his  marriage  before  he  was  commissioned  Surveyor-General  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  the  above-named  letter  we  read:  "  He  was  a  shoemaker,  residing  in  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  also  passed  for  a  man  having  a  profound  knowledge  of  mathematics."  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Benjamin  Franklin  _///;//«  Club,  from  which  developed  the  present 
American  Philosophical  Society.  In  a  letter  of  Franklin,  dated  April  5,  1744  [^  facsimile 
copy  of  which  is  before  me),  he  writes:  "The  society,  as  far  as  relates  to  Philadelphia,  is 
actually  founded,  and  has  had  several  meetings,  to  mutual  satisfaction;"  and  among  its 
members  names  Mr.  William  Parsons  as  geographer. 

Associated  with  him  in  this  early  membership,  besides  the  great  Franklin  himself, 
were  Mr.  John  Bartram  as  botanist,  Mr.  Thomas  Godfre)'  as  mathematician  (Godfrey  was 
inventor  of  the  sextant),  and  others  no  less  distinguished,  confirming  the  belief  that  Par- 
sons was  a  man  of  profound  knowledge.  The  letter  of  Franklin,  to  which  reference  has 
been  made,  was  written  three  years  after  Parsons  was  commissioned  Surveyor-General,  and 
twenty-two  years  after  his  marriage,  and  all  these  years  he  was  busy  storing  up  his  knowl- 
edge, which  was  to  fit  him  for  companionship  with  Franklin,  Bartram  and  Godfrey,  lead- 
ing minds  on  the  Continent.  His  kindness  of  heart,  his  generous  nature,  his  associa- 
tion with  the  purest  and  noblest  men  of  his  time,  attra<5ling  the  attention  of  him  who 
played  with  the  lightnings  as  children  play  with  their  toys,  may  well  excite  the  pride  of 
Easton  that  such  an  one  "  rocked  her  in  her  cradle  and  watched  over  her  infant  footsteps 
with  paternal  solicitude."  While  a  very  thoughtful  historian  calls  him  "  The  Godfather 
of  Easton,"  and  another  still  calls  him  "The  Father  of  the  Infant  Tqwn,"  we  can  but 
wonder  why  the  name  of  such  a  man  is  not  found  upon  a  public  building  in  Easton !  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  some  generous  and  grateful  heart  will  see  to  it  that  the  name  of  this 
unselfish  friend  of  Easton  will  be  placed  in  letters  of  gold  for  her  children  to  gaze  at. 

From  the  same  letter  of  Mr.  Weaver  we  are  informed  that  "the  family  was  connected 
with  the  Moravian  Church  in  Philadelphia  and  Bethlehem,  and  that  one  daughter  had 


26  THE  HISTORY  OF 

died  while  in  the  Sisters'  House. ' '  The  next  day  after  he  received  the  letter  the  author 
went  to  Bethlehem  to  consult  the  records  of  that  church.  He  was  ver}'  kindly  and 
courteously  received  by  Rev.  i\Ir.  Levering,  pastor  of  the  church.  The  pastor  .showed  the 
author  every  attention,  led  the  way  into  the  room  in  the  church  building  where  the  rec- 
ords were  kept;  he  unlocked  the  massive  doors  of  the  safe,  and  laid  the  books  on  the  table. 
They  were  neatly  kept  in  German  until  1850,  and  from  that  time  in  English.  The 
obituary  roll  was  the  first  consulted.  While  looking  for  the  name  of  a  deceased  daughter 
we  found  an  account  of  the  death  of  the  mother.  The  death-roll  is  very  handsomely  kept. 
The  death  of  each  member  of  the  church  is  recorded,  and  a  brief  obituar\'  notice  is  ap- 
pended. "Mrs.  Johanna  Christianna  (Parsons)  was  bom  in  Germany,  and  came  to  Phila- 
delphia in  her  youth.  She  came  in  company  with  her  uncle.  The  date  of  her  arrival  in 
Philadelphia  is  not  given,  but  her  marriage  to  William  Parsons  is  dated  1722.  She  sur- 
vived her  husband  sixteen  years  —  died  in  1773,  aged  seventy-four.  She  lived  a  quiet  and 
retired  life,  and  the  last  six  weeks  did  not  leave  her  room.  She  died  in  the  loving  arms  of 
the  Moravian  Church  and  in  the  full  exercise  of  the  Christian  faith  as  developed  by  that 
remarkable  people.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  six  children,  only  two  of  which 
survived  her."  As  no  males  are  ever  mentioned,  it  is  proper  to  conclude  only  daughters 
were  born.  We  failed  to  find  the  name  of  any  daughter  who  had  died.  But  in  consult- 
ing a  large  catalogue  of  the  names  of  the  young  sisters  of  that  church,  we  found  the  name 
of  Julianna  Parsons  in  the  catalogue  of  1764.  This  daughter  became  the  second  wife  of 
Timothy  Horsefield,  of  Bethlehem.  There  are  still  three  of  these  daughters  to  account  for. 
Of  all  the  children  of  Mr.  Parsons,  the  deepest  interest  attaches  to  the  name  of  Grace. 
This  is  the  one  who,  history  asserts,  was  sent  to  Philadelphia  as  an  ambassadress  to  the 
Government,  imploring  aid  to  save  Easton  from  destrutlion  by  the  Indians.  A  vast  amount 
of  time  has  been  spent  to  learn  something  of  the  subsequent  history  of  this  noble  daughter 
of  Easton.  (This  sent  the  author  to  Bethlehem  to  consult  the  records  of  the  IMoravian 
Church.)  The  histories  of  Northampton  County  and  Lehigh  Valley  both  assert  this  inci- 
dent. But  on  page  737,  volume  6th,  of  the  "Colonial  Records,"  we  have  the  despairing 
letter  of  Mr.  Parsons  to  the  Government,  depicfting  the  distress:  "Pray  help  us,  for  we  are 
in  great  distress.  I  do  not  know  what  we  shall  do  for  want  of  anus.  If  I  can  get  a  wagon 
to  bring  my  daughter  to  Philadelphia,  I  will  send  her  off  immediately."  Failing  to  find 
a  wagon,  and  darkness  increasing,  she  would  naturally  be  sent  on  horseback.  *  And  it  was 
published  many  years  ago,  in  a  magazine,  that  Grace  was  sent  in  the  saddle  instead  of  a 
wagon,  and  this  was  related  to  Elisha  Allis,  Esq.,  by  an  old  resident,  who  read  it  in  the 
magazine.  The  author  has  been  thus  particular  in  this  matter  in  order  that  this  heroic 
girl  may  have  her  memory  kept  green  in  the  history  of  our  city.  The  history  of  two  of 
the  children  is  entirely  unknown  as  yet.  If  other  information  comes  to  hand  before  the 
completion  of  this  volume,  it  will  find  a  place  in  notes  at  the  end  of  the  work. 


*  A  letter  on  page  761,  Vol.  VI.,  Colonial  Recorcl.s,  confirms  this  view.  He  writes  :  "I  make  bold  to  trou- 
ble you  once  more,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  it  may  be  the  last  time."  The  poor  man  saw  death  staring  him 
in  the  face.  "  I  have  spent,"  he  continues,  "what  liUle  stock  of  cash  I  had  in  public  services,  so  that  I  am 
compelled  to  send  this  by  a  ])rivate  hand."     Tliis  letter  was  sent  to  Hamilton  and  l"ranklin. 


THE  JAILS  OF  EASTON. 


First  Jail ;  Parsons'  Anxiety  for  Its  Completion  ;  Its  Cost  ;  Where  It  Stood  ;  Wlien  Finished  ;  How  Long  It 
Stood  — Second  Jail;  Where  Built;  Its  Cost;  When  It  Was  Built;  Its  Present  Condition— Third  Jail  ; 
Where  It  Stands;  Its  Cost;  Size;  Plan  of  the  Building;  How  It  Is  Kept — John  Dillman  ;  His  Execution 
—  The  Suicide  of  the  Italian  Condemned  to  be  Executed  —  Louis  Gordon,  First  Lawyer  of  Easton  ; 
Birthplace  ;  His  Removal  to  Easton  ;  When  Admitted  to  the  Bar  ;  Usefulness  ;  Enters  the  Revolutionary 
Contest ;  Goes  Over  to  the  Enemy  ;  Returns  to  His  Allegiance  ;  Takes  the  Test  Oath  to  the  Country  ;  Dies 
1  Patriot. 


|NE  of  the  reasons  assigned  for  the  establishment  of  a  new  County  was,  that 
it  was  so  far  to  the  seat  of  justice  in  Bucks  county,  that  people  would 
rather  relinquish  their  rights  than  take  the  trouble  to  seek  redress.  And 
rogues  took  advantage  of  this  and  trod  law  under  foot  with  impunity.  The 
new  County  having  been  established,  the  necessity  of  a  Jail  was  at  once 
suggested  to  the  public  mind.  The  new  County  was  set  up  in  1752,  and 
immediately  the  plan  of  a  Jail  was  formed,  and  work  begun.  Courts  could 
be  accommodated  at  hotels  or  private  houses,  but  desperate  criminals  could 
not  be  confined  in  log  cabins  or  in  the  parlors  of  hotels. 

The  first  Jail  was  built  on  the  old  Jail  lot,  south  of  the  Square,  and  on 
the  east  side  of  Third  street,  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  store  of 
Bixler  &  Correll,  fronting  Third  street.  This  was  the  first  building  erecfled  by  the  County. 
It  was  the  building  concerning  which  Mr.  Parsons  took  so  much  interest  ;  it  would  not 
only  be  a  place  in  which  to  confine  criminals,  but  also  a  place  where  mothers  and  children 
could  find  shelter  in  case"  of  invasion  by  Indians.  Their  log  cabins  could  be  burned  by 
the  savages,  but  massive  stone  walls  would  not  burn.  "The  Jail  cost  $1,066.67  when  the 
walls  were  finished,  and  the  wells  dug.  The  trustees  borrowed  ^100  from  Richard  Peters, 
Esq.,  in  1752,  toward  the  building,  which  amount  they  repaid  in  1754,  with  two  years' 
interest,  ^112."  * 

At  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  unsettled  matter  of  land  titles  in  Wyoming 
came  up  again  for  adjudication.  This  grew  into  a  war.  The  parties  were  styled  the  Penna- 
mites  on  the  one  side,  and  Yankees  on  the  other.  In  1784,  twenty  Yankees  were  taken 
prisoners  and  lodged  in  the  old  Jail.  Peter  Ealer  kept  the  Jail.  These  Connec?ticut  boys 
were  lively  fellows.  They  had  been  kept  in  confinement  several  months,  and  were  tired 
of  their  boarding  place,  and  desired  a  change.  They  effeAed  a  change  on  the  17th  of 
September.  Mr.  Ealer  tells  his  own  story  thus  :  "About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  I 
ordered  Frederick  Barthold  up-stairs  in  the  prison,  where  the  prisoners  were  confined,  to 
let  out  of  each  room  (they  were  in  two  rooms)  two  prisoners,  as  there  were  two  handcuffed 
together,  in  order  to  fetch  water  as  usual.  And  going  up  through  an  iron  gate,  and  after 
the  same  was  shut  again,  he  heard  the  assistant  say,  the  bread  for  the  prisoners  ought  to 
be  ready  to  be  carried  up  when  the  prisoners  were  to  be  put  back  again.  As  they 
attempted  to  carry  the  water  and  bread  through  the  gate,  it  was  seized  by  the  Wyoming 
*Hist.  L.  v.,  page  75. 


28 


THE   HISTORY   OF 


prisoners,  who  were  hid  close  b)-  the  gate.  He  endeavored  to  shut  the  gate  again,  but 
was  overpowered,  kicked  and  squeezed  ver^-  badly.  The  keeper's  wife  tried  to  lock  the 
front  door,  but  the  key  was  missing."  The  keeper  sounded  the  alarm,  tried  to  arouse  the 
neighbors,  but  it  was  too  late,  the  birds  had  flown.  They  soon  removed  the  handcuffs 
from  each  other's  hands,  and,  free  as  the  mountain  air,  they  steered  their  course  to  the 
land  of  steady  habits,  wiser  men  than  when  they  came.  This  was,  quite  likely,  the  most 
exciting  event  in  the  history  of  the  old  Jail,  which  stood  nearly  one  hundred  years. 
There  are  men  now  living  who  tell  of  the  good  times  they  had,  in  boyhood,  of  creeping 
into  the  Jail  among  the  prisoners,  through  openings  which  boys  knew  how  to  find.  They 
were  welcome  visitors  from  the  outside  world.  They  feared  no  hann  from  the  inmates. 
But  the  old  Jail  of  William  Parsons  must  yield  to  the  touch  of  time.  It  had  played  its 
part  in  the  history  of   Easton.      The  pillor\-  and  whipping  post  had  passed  away  from 


^B^^^^^ 

F 

w 

li 

m 

li^J 

IHF    IIRSTJ\II     IN    I    VSTON        I  Kl  L  1  I  I>   1     t2      t  IISIUIVKII    1  .\=i  1 

skinmii    v,\   sin     u      \    coniN(H\M 

Third  street,  and  the  old  prison  must  follow.  The  old  building  inside  of  whose  gloomy 
walls  poor  Getter  had  passed  many  hours  of  agony,  where  hope  gave  no  joy  to  his  soul, 
as  far  as  time  was  concerned — those  old  walls  which  had  echoed  to  the  pra>ers  of  the 
penitent,  to  the  groans  of  the  sorrow-stricken  soul,  to  the  sigh  of  despair,  when  the  sun 
of  hope  had  set  never  to  ri,se — those  old  walls  were  to  pass  away.  But  the  principle 
which  called  them  into  being  still  remaining  in  human  nature,  another  must  be  built  to 
take  its  place.      And  so  we  have  the  hi.story  of 


Thk  .second  Jail  of  the  county  was  l)niU  on 
in  front  of  which,  facing  Sitgreaves  street,  was 
residence.     The  pri.son  contained  twenty-three 


THK  vSKCOXI)  J.ML  IN   K.VSTOX. 

1  the  (lid  jail-lot,  east  of  its  j^redecessor; 

a   l)rick    house    for   the  Slieriff's 

-L'lls,  nine  liv  tweKe  feet,  and   four  larijer 


E ASTON,  PENN'A.  29 

ones,  the)-  being  twelve  feet  square.  The  Jail  was  constructed  of  the  limestone  of  the 
country.  Surrounding  it  was  a  wall  fifteen  feet  high.  It  was  built  in  1850  and  1851. 
The  old  walls  of  the  second  Jail  are  still  standing,  the  rusty  iron  grated  window  telling  the 
passer-by  that  this  was  once  a  prison.  This  Jail  was  used  twenty  years,  from  1851  to  1871. 
When  it  was  finished,  the  prisoners  were  marched  from  the  first  to  the  second  Jail  by  the 
music  of  fife  and  drum.  A  building  has  been  eredled  on  the  top  of  the  old  walls,  and  is 
used  by  Mr.  John  Pollock  for  a  brush  manufa(5tory.  The  space  between  the  walls  and 
the  Jail  building  is  used  as  a  stable  and  wagon  house.  The  cells  remain  to  remind  us  of 
the  scenes  of  carousal  of  which  the  Grand  Jury  so  sternly  complained,  when  the  prisoners 
were  allowed  their  lager  beer,  and  were  permitted  to  have  a  good  time.  Those  dark 
recesses  look  like  the  catacombs  along  the  banks  of  the  Nile,  where  the  silence  of  death 
reigns  supreme.     The  property  now  belongs  to  Mr.  John  Knecht,  of  Shimersville. 

THE  THIRD  COUNTY  PRISON. 

"Soon  after  the  occupation  of  the  new  Court  House,  1861,  the  Jail  of  1851  was  not 
deemed  sufficient  for  the  demands  of  the  county.  And,  no  doubt,  its  distance  from  the 
new  Court  House  made  it  inconvenient  to  transfer  prisoners  from  their  cells  to  the  scene 
of  trial  in  Court,  and  this  added  to  the  reasons  why  a  new  Jail  should  be  built.  It  was, 
quite  likely,  well  understood  that  the  Jail  would  soon  follow  the  Court  House  ;  and  ground 
suilficient  for  the  former  was  secured  when  the  ground  for  the  latter  was  purchased. 
The  land  was  all  purchased  from  Hon.  D.  D.  Wagoner  for  one  dollar.  At  the  November 
session,  in  1866,  the  Grand  Inquest — of  which  Samuel  Garis  was  foreman — represented  to 
the  Honorable  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  Northampton  county,  that 
they  found  the  present  Jail  unsuitable  and  in  bad  condition;  that  the  Sheriff  was  obliged  to 
confine  vagrants  in  the  lower  part  of  the  Jail,  which  was  a  great  nuisance ;  that  they 
recommended  the  building  of  a  new  Jail,  to  accommodate  the  wants  of  the  county,  and 
to  employ  the  prisoners ;  they  regretted  that  the  prisoners  sentenced  by  the  Court  for  the 
violation  of  the  Sunday  liquor  law  were  only  nominally  confined ;  and  that,  while 
close  confinement  could  not  be  expelled  on  account  of  narrow  limits,  they  condemned 
the  laxity'  with  which  the  sentences  were  executed.  At  present,  they  represented, 
with  almost  full  liberty,  except  openly  walking  the  streets,  the  fulfilment  of  their 
sentence  as  a  farce.  The  triiimphal  entry  of  some  of  the  prisoners  on  the  evening  of  their 
commitment,  with  music  and  banners,  after  a  boisterous  parade  of  our  principal  streets, 
was  an  open  insult  to  the  Court  and  community  ;  and  we  would  ask  the  animadversions 
of  the  Court  upon  this  lawless  and  disgraceful  proceeding.  We  have  also  noticed  the 
aforesaid  prisoners  being  supplied  with  lager  beer,  and  allowed  its  free  use ;  hold  nightly 
carousals  in  the  Jail,  and  thus  pradlically  rendered  their  sentence  a  mere  nullity,  turning 
their  punishment  into  a  triumph,  and  insulting  the  law  which  would  infliCl  it." 

"  The  acflion  of  the  Grand  Juries  and  of  the  Court  having  clothed  the  Commissioners, 
Messrs.  Charles  Kern,  Simon  Buss  and  Jesse  Ruch,  with  necessary  powers,  they  proceeded 
to  the  eredlion  of  a  new  prison  upon  the  county's  land  adjoining  the  Court  House. 
Edward  Haviland  was  employed  as  architedl.  His  plans  were  at  once  submitted  to  the 
deputy  inspector,  and  received  his  signature  of  approval  March  11,  1868.  The  Commis- 
sioners then  contradled  with  John  Biglin,  of  South  Easton,  and  John  Lee,  of  Easton,  as 


30 


THE   HISTORY   OF 


RISOX.      ERECTED    lS6S-'7I 


the  finn  of  Biglin  &  Lee,  for  the  construcftion  of  the  prison,  the  contract  price  being 
$139,000.  The  job  was  a  heavy  and  extensive  one,  and,  although  it  was  pushed  by  the 
contradlors  with  reasonable  diligence,  it  was  not  till  1871  that  the  Jail  was  occupied. 
Although  the  contradl  price  was  as  has  been  stated  above,  the  total  cost  of  the  prison  has 
not  fallen  much — if  any — short  of  $200,000.  The  size  of  the  prison  building  is  180x60 
feet,  and  the  wall  enclosure  is  220x150  feet.  The  Warden's  department  is  50x85  feet  in 
dimension,  embracing,  on  the  first  floor,  parlor,  dining-room,  kitchen,  office,  store-rooms 
and  wash-rooms."* 

The  building  is  a  massive  stone  struclure,  upon  an  elevated  position,  and  has  more 
the  appearance  of  a  castle  of  the  middle  ages  than  of  a  prison.  The  grounds  are  ample, 
and  neatly  kept,  set  with  shade  trees,  and  together  with  the  grounds  around  the  Court 
House,  present  a  very  handsome  appearance,  a  rare  and  beautiful  pi<flure.  To  look  at  the 
exterior  there  seems  nothing  to  dread.  To  those  who  enter  the  prison,  the  interior  seems 
quite  as  neat  as  the  exterior.  The  cells  and  prisoners  are  kept  clean  and  neat.  The  walls 
are  hung  with  pictures,  the  beds  are  as  neatly  and  tastefully  arranged  as  those  of  ordinary- 
homes.  The  prisoners  are  employed  in  weaving  carpets,  and  the  time  is  passed  as 
pleasantly  as  the  most  earnest  humanitarian  could  desire.  Religious  services  are  quite 
regularly  held  on  Sunday  by  the  ministers  and  members  of  our  churches.  Law  seems  to 
have  laid  aside  its  vengeance,  while  mercy  and  benevolence  exert  their  influence  to  refonn 
*Hist.  of  Northampton  Co.,  pp.  161-162. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


the  inmates  while  they  serve  out  their  sentence,  and  vindicate  the  principles  of  justice. 
If  the  prisons  of  past  ages  had  been  kept  as  ours  of  Easton  is,  the  benevolence  of  Howard 
would  not  have  been  developed,  nor  his  name  have  shone  with  such  undimmed  lustre. 
There  has  been  but  one  public  execution  in  the  Jail  since  its  eredlion — that  of  John 
Dillman,  in  April,  1884,  for  the  murder  of  his  wife.  He  did  not  support  her  and  she 
went  to  the  Poor  House.  He  desired  to  get  rid  of  his  wife.  His  plans  are  deliberately 
formed.  He  assumed  the  kindness  of  former  days,  and  bought  a  new  dress  at  Bethlehem 
for  her.  Sought  and  found  her  at  the  Poor  House,  gave  her  the  dress,  and  spoke  kindly 
to  her ;  told  her  he  had  work  at  Bethlehem,  had  furniture  at  Redington,  and  wished  her 
to  go  and  help  him  arrange  the  furniture.  Before  leaving  the  Poor  House,  he  was  seen 
outside  sharpening  his  pocket  knife  on  the  stones  and  his  boots.  In  the  cold  winds  of 
the  closing  days  of  March,  at  7  o'clock  in  the  morning,  they  started  upon  the  journey. 
He  seemed  in  good  spirits,  treated  his  wife  well ;  he  covered  the  feelings  of  the  murderer 
by  the  smiles  of  apparent  kindness.  Turning  toward  Freemansburg,  pretending  it  was  a 
nearer  way,  and  turning  into  a  lonely  lane,  near  a  Mr.  Rohn's  house,  he  threw  her  to  the 
ground,  took  a  rope,  tied  her  hands,  and  told  her  he  was  going  to  kill  her,  took  his  knife, 
which  he  had  sharpened  at  the  Poor  House,  cut  her  throat  and  ran.  The  wind-pipe  was 
severed.  Mrs.  Dillman  lived  nearly  three  weeks,  and  before  her  death  testified  in 
substance  as  above.  Rev.  T.  O.  Stem,  pastor  of  St.  Mark's  Reformed  Church,  was  the 
spiritual  adviser  of  Dillman,  and  did  ever)'thing  he  could  to  smooth  the  poor  man's 
pathway  to  the  gallows,  to  death,  and  to  heaven. 

Another  was  sentenced  to  be  executed  during  the  same  year,  but  he  hung  himself  in 
the  prison  with  carpet  yam.  He  was  an  Italian  who  had  slain  a  fellow  workman,  by 
plunging  a  hatchet  into  his  temple  while  his  victim  was  asleep.  He  was  tried,  convicted 
and  sentenced  to  be  executed.  To  avert  the  doom  of  a  public  execution,  he  committed 
suicide.  Thousands  of  miles  from  the  home  of  his  childhood,  there  were  no  friends  to 
claim  his  body  or  mourn  his  sad  fate.  Unable  to  understand  the  words  of  kindness 
spoken  by  those  who  greeted  him  through  the  iron  grates,  he  waited  with  terror  his 
terrible  doom.  The  rope  which  he  had  twisted  from  carpet  yam,  seems  to  have  broken, 
but  had  fastened  itself  so  closely  around  his  neck  as  to  have  choked  him  to  death.  He 
was  found  lying  dead  in  his  cell. 


LOUIS    GORDON. 

There  is  a  special  interest  attached  to  the  name  and  character  of  Louis  Gordon.  He 
was  for  so  long  a  time  a  citizen  of  Easton,  so  prominent  in  her  history,  so  sincerely  inter- 
ested in  her  welfare  —  performing  his  duties  so  acceptably  in  every  oflScial  position  —  that 
it  would  be  doing  violence  to  history  not  to  give  him  his  proper  place.  While  we  lament 
the  weakness  which  clouded  his  closing  days,  he  had  virtues  which  shine  brighth-  in  con- 
trast. The  bitter  experiences  which  shook  his  political  faith  have  long  since  passed  away; 
the  light  of  freedom  dawned  after  he  died,  and  while  basking  in  its  brilliant  rays,  and 
enjoying  its  blessings,  charity  may  well  draw  a  veil  over  his  fault,  and  speak  kindly  of  his 


32  THE  HISTORY   OF 

faithfulness  up  to  the  hour  of  trial.  He  was  for  twenty-six  years  a  friend  of  Easton,  and 
his  warm  desire  for  her  prosperity  never  left  him.  He  was  the  pioneer  of  the  legal  profes- 
sion in  Northampton  county.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Bucks  county  bar  when  North- 
ampton was  established.  He  was  at  the  time  employed  in  the  office  of  Richard  Peters,  of 
Philadelphia.  Richard  Peters  was  Secretary  for  the  Penns,  and  Gordon  would  thus  know 
the  plans  of  the  Proprietaries  in  regard  to  Easton.  He  learned  it  was  to  be  the  place  for 
the  county  seat.  The  Courts  would  meet  there,  and  there  would  be  an  opening  for  a  law- 
yer. The  first  Court  convened  June  i6th,  1752,  and  Louis  Gordon  was  there,  stated  that 
he  was  an  attorney  of  the  bar  in  Bucks  county,  and  prayed  to  be  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Northampton.  His  prayer  was  granted,  and  Louis  Gordon  became  the  first  lawyer  in 
Easton  and  for  the  new  county.  His  faith  must  have  helped  him  in  looking  into  the 
futxire  of  the  town,  for  the  prospecfl  was  not  very  cheering.  Mr.  Parsons  tells  us  there 
were  but  eleven  houses  in  Easton  at  that  time,  and  the  historian  of  Bucks  county  tells  us 
they  were  all  one-stor)'  log  houses.  And  Mr.  Parsons  seems  to  have  entertained  fears  as 
to  whether  these  families  would  remain  longer  than  Spring. 

Louis  Gordon  came  to  this  country  from  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  and  in  1750  was  em- 
ployed in  the  office  of  Richard  Peters,  of  Philadelphia.  How  long  he  was  in  this  coun- 
try before  he  was  employed  by  Mr.  Peters,  this  historian  does  not  tell  us.  When  he  was 
married,  or  to  whom,  is  not  revealed.  The  son  (James)  of  George  Taylor  married  his 
daughter  Elizabeth.  Young  Taylor  was  a  lawyer,  died  young,  leaving  a  widow  and  five 
children.  The  family  moved  to  South  Carolina,  where  their  descendants  still  reside. 
Louis  Gordon  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  Easton.  That  he  was  a  public-spirited 
man  is  evident  from  the  fadl  that  his  name  was  on  the  subscription  for  building  a 
school  house,  in  the  Summer  of  1755,  for  the  village.  We  find  he  subscribed  £1.  Mr. 
Parsons  took  the  lead  in  this,  as  in  all  other  matters  of  public  interest,  but  Mr.  Gordon 
gave  his  influence  in  favor  of  every  good  work  suggested  by  his  friend.  This  was  recog- 
nized by  the  Proprietaries,  as  well  as  by  the  public,  for  when  Mr.  Parsons  died,  Louis  Gor- 
don took  his  place  in  the  affairs  of  the  town  as  well  as  in  the  Courts.  He  became  Pro- 
thonotar)'  and  Clerk  of  the  Court,  and  took  the  business  of  the  Proprietors  on  his  shoul- 
ders. This  facft  is  illustrated  in  the  serious  difficulty  which  occurred  after  the  French 
and  Indian  war.  News  came  to  the  Government  at  Philadelphia  that  people  from  Con- 
necflicut  were  .settling  the  lands  west  of  the  Delaware,  and  above  the  Minisinks,  without 
authority  from  the  Indians  or  white  people. 

The  Indians  had  become  uneasy,  and  Teedyuscung  had  uttered  a  bitter  complaint,  de- 
manded redress,  and,  in  case  of  failure,  threatened  to  take  up  the  hatchet.  The  Govern- 
ment determined  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  the  report,  and  Richard  Peters,  the  Secretary  of 
the  Proprietary  Government,  wrote  to  Louis  Gordon  about  the  difficulty,  and  wished  him 
to  take  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  have  them  go  with  him  to  the  alleged  settlement 
and  ascertain  the  e.xacfl  state  of  affairs.  This  was  in  1760.  Immediateh-  the  Chief  Justice 
wrote  to  Louis  Gordon:  "You  will  receive  my  warrant  to  arrest  and  bring  before  me  a 
number  of  persons  who  have  unlawfully  entered  upon  and  taken  possession  of  a  large 
tradl  of  land  in  your  county,  near  Cushitunk,  without  any  warrant  or  order  from  the  Pro- 
prietors. I  expe(5t,  as  soon  as  this  gets  into  your  hands,  you  will  engage  twenty  or  twenty- 
five  resolute  and  discreet  persons  to  aid  and  assist  nou,  and  proceed  with  all  possible  secrecy 
and  dispatch  to  the  habitation  of  the  offenders,  and  use  \ nur  best  endeavors  to  apprehend 


E ASTON,    PENN\i.  33 

as  many  persons  mentioned  in  the  warrant  as  you  can  find,  and  bring  them  to  me  without 
loss  of  time,  that  they  may  be  dealt  with  as  the  law  diredls." 

Mr.  Gordon  desired  to  go  in  the  disguise  of  farmers  in  quest  of  lands,  so  that  the  object 
of  their  coming  might  be  concealed  till  they  had  acquired  all  the  information  they  needed, 
and  then  letting  their  true  character  be  known,  make  their  arrests.  The  plan  of  Gordon 
was  adopted,  and  he  took  two  Justices,  one  of  whom  was  Aaron  Depue,  and  also  the  Sher- 
iff of  Northampton,  and  went  to  the  settlenieut  in  quest  of  the  intruders.  Their  report,  on 
their  return,  is  found  in  the  "Colonial  Records,"  vol.  8,  page  564. 

The  people  of  Connedlicut  contended  that  their  charter  embraced  the  lauds  upon 
which  they  had  settled.  The  settlers  claimed  their  rights  also,  from  purchase  from  the 
Indians  and  authority  from  the  Colonial  Government  of  Conne6ticut.  The  intruders  had 
built  a  saw-mill  and  grist-mill  and  many  cabins,  and  were  coming  in  the  Spring  in  great 
numbers.  It  turned  out  to  be  a  matter  which  a  Sheriff's  posse  could  not  settle,  but 
required  a  stronger  arm.  Parsons  died  in  the  midst  of  the  war,  and  Gordon  stepped  upon 
the  watch-tower  in  his  place.  He  watches  the  dangers  as  they  rise,  and  transmits  the 
news  to  Philadelphia,  and  aids  the  people  in  warding  off  the  blows.  Easton  found  a  true 
friend  in  Louis  Gordon,  and  the  Government  a  faithful  servant.  He  had  been  a  citizen  of 
Easton  for  twenty-six  years,  and  during  that  time  his  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  home 
liad  never  flagged.  But  at  length  a  cloud  arose,  at  first  no  larger  than  a  man's  hand,  but 
it  rapidly  grew  in  size,  and  as  it  overshadowed  the  land,  and  in  the  midnight  of  the  Revo- 
lution, he  faltered  in  his  patriotic  course.  This  period  of  Louis  Gordon's  life  has  not  been 
properly  understood.  On  page  151  of  the  "History  of  Northampton  County  "  we  find  the 
following:  "In  those  dark  times  there  were  some  instances  of  defedlion  to  the  patriot  cause 
by  men  from  whom  better  things  were  expelled.  Among  the  saddest  of  these  was  that 
of  Louis  Gordon.  He  had  entered  the  struggle,  apparently  with  the  most  ardent  love  of 
country,  but  when  the  clouds  closed  thickly  over  the  prospecfts  of  the  patriots  in  1777,  he 
abandoned  their  cause  and  embraced  that  of  the  enemy.  It  was  a  fall  like  Lucifer.  Steps 
were  at  once  taken  for  his  apprehension,  but  before  the  warrant  could  reach  him,  God,  in 
his  infinite  pity,  had  snatched  him  from  his  earthly  dishonor  by  a  summons  to  a  higher 
tribunal."  And  in  a  note  he  tells  us:  "He  died  at  Easton,  in  1777."  This  would  all  be 
very  sad,  if  true,  but  if  the  writer  had  been  more  careful  in  his  examination  of  history,  he 
would  not  have  left  quite  so  dark  a  stain  upon  the  life  of  this  pioneer  of  the  legal  profes- 
sion in  our  borough  and  county. 

When  General  Washington  fled  across  the  Delaware,  thousands  of  patriotic  men 
stood  shivering  on  the  brink  of  the  precipice  from  which  Louis  Gordon  was  reported  to 
have  taken  his  fatal  leap.  The  original  records  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  begin  Decem- 
ber 2ist,  1774.  The  committee  was  elected  by  qualified  voters,  and  the  name  of  Louis 
Gordon  stands  first  on  the  list.  This  committee  represented  the  various  townships  in  the 
county.  But  to  expedite  the  work,  a  standing  committee  was  sele6led  from  the  general 
committee,  which  should  meet  weekly  to  perform  the  business  for  which  they  were  called 
into  being.  Louis  Gordon  was  chairman  of  this  standing  committee.  Scarcely  a  meeting 
occurs  for  two  )'ears  at  which  Mr.  Gordon  was  not  present.  Every  member  of  the  com- 
mittee looked  to  him  to  advise  and  to  lead  in  the  important  matters  coming  before  them. 
There  are  no  indications  of  anything  wrong  till  the  2d  of  December,  1776,  when  we  find 
the  following  minute  in  the  proceedings  of  the  standing  committee:  "It  being  represented 


34 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


to  the  committee,  by  Abraham  Berlin  and  Jesse  Jones,  that  Louis  Gordon,  chairman  of 
the  committee,  said  to  them  he  would  not  give  his  attendance  here  any  more;  therefore 
the  committee  do  appoint  Abraham  Berlin  chainnan  in  his  stead."  ]\Ir.  Gordon  had  been 
Treasurer;  Robert  Trail  was  appointed  to  this  place.  At  a  meeting  of  the  committee 
Januarv  i6th,  1777,  "ordered  that  Louis  Gordon,  Esq.,  have  notice  to  attend  this  commit- 
tee by  next  Thursday,  to  answer  such  matters  as  shall  be  objedled  against  him  by  this 
committee."  On  January-  23d,  "Mr.  Berlin  acquainted  the  committee  that  he  had  given 
Mr.  Gordon  notice  to  attend  this  meeting  according  to  the  order  of  last  meeting,  and  he 
received  for  answer  that  he  would  not  attend,  that  the  committee  might  call  upon  him; 
therefore  ordered  that  notice  be  sent  to  Mr.  Gordon  to  attend  this  committee  immediately, 
otherwise  send  his  reason  in  writing  for  not  attending.  Notice  having  been  sent  by  Mr. 
Shoemaker,  he  returned  for  answer  that  his  low  and  weak  condition  would  not  permit 
him  to  attend."  "Therefore,  ordered  it  be  postponed  to  the  next  meeting."  But  the 
name  of  Mr.  Gordon  does  not  appear  again  in  the  records  of  the  committee.  The  last 
meeting  whose  proceedings  are  recorded,  occurs  August  14th,  1777. 

We  must  go  to  other  sources  to  trace  out  the  further  history-  of  this  remarkable  man. 
Now,  turning  to  the  "Colonial  Records,"  vol.  XL  page  73,  we  find  the  following  in  the 
proceedings  of  the  Coimcil  of  Safety  in  Philadelphia:  "Resolved,  that  the  committee  of 
Northampton  do  immediately  take  the  ferr\-  at  Easton,  kept  by  Louis  Gordon,  under  their 
diredlion,  and  cause  it  to  be  properly  attended,  and  especially  that  all  soldiers  and 
expresses  in  the  Continental  service  be  forwarded  over  said  ferry,  be  solely  under  the  con- 
trol and  diredlion  of  the  said  committee  of  Northampton  county."  This  bears  date  of 
January  2d,  1777.  On  page  261  of  the  same  volume,  under  date  of  August  6th,  1777,  we 
find  the  following:  "Ordered  that  a  writ  be  issued  for  imprisoning  Louis  Gordon,  Esq., 
late  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  under  the  late  Government."  In  the 
fifth  volume  of  the  "Archives  of  Pennsylvania,"  page  489,  under  date  of  August  6th, 
1777:  "From  the  Executive  Council  at  Philadelphia  to  the  Sheriff  of  Northampton  county 
— Sir:  Before  this  reaches  you,  you  have  doubtless  heard  that  the  late  Governor,  his  offi- 
cers, and  the  officers  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  have  been  arrested  and  are  held  as  pris- 
oners of  war  on  parole.  It  is  but  equal  that  this  should  extend  to  all  parts  of  the  countn,'. 
Accordingly,  we  send  you  a  fonn  filled  up  for  the  late  Prothonotar>-,  Louis  Gordon,  Esq. 
This  we  desire  you  to  get  executed  and  return  to  us  by  a  safe  hand.  Your  attention  to 
this  business  is  requested.  Direc^ted  to  the  Sheriff  of  Northampton  county,  John  Jennings, 
Esq."  On  page  490,  date  same  as  above,  same  to  John  Jennings,  Esq.,  to  arrest  Louis 
Gordon,  Esq.,  and  "confine  him  to  his  dwelling  in  Easton  (or  elsewhere  in  your  county), 
confining  himself  to  the  distance  of  six  miles  fi-om  thence,  and  not  passing  over  to  the 
east  side  of  the  Delaware." 

On  page  342,  sixth  vol.  "Archives,"  ]\Ir.  Levers  writes,  ]\Iarch  7th,  177S:  "Louis 
Gordon,  I  am  persuaded,  is  a  fixed,  detennined  enemy  of  the  American  States.  But,  then, 
he  is  wearing  away,  lately  lost  his  wife,  and  peevish  at  times  to  childishness.  I  sincerely 
pity  him."  On  page  436  an  officer  of  the  Council  writes  to  Mr.  Levers:  "  I  inclose  you 
also  the  parole  of  Louis  Gordon,  and  desire  you  to  discharge  him  as  directed  in  the  case  of 
Mr.  Hamilton.  Dated  April  24th,  1778."  On  page  534,  Mr.  Levers  writes,  date  May 
20th,  1778:  "Louis  Gordon  and  son  are  discharged  from  their  parole;  the  former,  a  few 
days  ago,  took  llie  test  oath,  according  to  law."      Here  we  see  an  old  man,  out  of  office 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


35 


which  he  had  held  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  out  of  healtli,  just  buried  his  wife, 
entering  the  dark  shadows  of  the  evening  of  life,  the  gloomy  hours  which  followed  the 
battle  of  Brooklyn,  Washington  flying  through  New  Jersey,  with  a  triumphant  foe  in  hot 
pursuit,  whose  relentless  grasp  he  barely  escapes  by  crossing  the  Delaware;  all  these  things 
weighed  upon  his  soul,  and  as  the  dying  man  clings  tenaciously  to  the  religious  teachings 
of  his  childhood,  so  Louis  Gordon  found  relief  to  his  troubled  soul  in  reclining  beneath 
the  folds  of  that  glorious  banner  which  had  shielded  him  in  childhood.  But  the  battle  of 
Saratoga  had  eledlrified  the  souls  of  the  patriots;  France  had  formed  an  offensive  and 
defensive  alliance ;  Lafayette  had  arrived,  light  came  struggling  through  the  darkness. 
This  feeble  old  man  comes  to  himself,  renews  his  fealty  to  his  adopted  country,  takes  the 
"  test  oath  "  of  allegiance  to  the  Government  of  the  struggling  republic,  and  dies  a  mem- 
ber of  the  fraternity  of  freemen.  This  is  simple  justice  to  the  memory  of  Louis  Gordon. 
Historia  confirmat,  et  justicia  jussit.  When,  how  or  where  Louis  Gordon  died,  the 
writer  and  others  have  failed  to  ascertain.  As  far  as  can  be  learned,  no  gravestone  marks 
the  place  of  his  burial.  Alas!  what  is  fame?  A  little  over  a  hundred  years  have  passed 
since  he  died,  and  the  hour  of  his  death,  not  even  his  grave,  can  be  found.  Sic  transit 
gloria  hominis.      "And  no  man  knoweth  his  grave  unto  this  day." 


1334556 


VIEW  OF  NORTH  THIRD  STREET  BUSHKILL  BRIDGE  IN  1S30, 
THE    LITTLE    HOUSE    IS   STILL   STANDING. 


THE   DURHAM  BOATS. 


When  and  by  Whom  Built,  and  AVliere,  and  How;  The  Great  Means  of  Commercial  Intercourse  Between 
Philadelphia  and  Upper  Waters  of  the  Delaware  ;  Saved  Washington's  Army  ;  Helped  Fight  the  Battles 
of  Trenton  and  Princeton  ;  Carried  Whiskey  and  Flour  to  Philadelphia  from  Minisinks  and  from  Easton — 
'Squire  Abie's  Boats  ;  Helped  Gather  the  Boats  for  Lee's  Army ;  Supplanted  by  Steam. 


]  HE  Durham  Boats  played  so  important  a  part  in  the  earl}^  histor}-  of  Easton, 
and  in  the  Revohitionary  War,  that  a  history  of  Easton  -would  be  incomplete 
without  an  accoimt  of  this  craft.  In  the  early  histor}-  of  Northampton  county 
there  were  no  roads  by  which  produce  could  be  transported  to  Philadelphia, 
the  head  of  the  market.  The  heavy  forests  at  the  head-waters  of  the  Dela- 
ware and  Lehigh  shielded  the  heavy  bodies  of  snow  from  vernal  suns,  so 
that,  instead  of  a  sudden  thaw  and  a  freshet,  the  snow  -wasted  away  slowly 
and  the  rivers  were  supplied  with  a  goodly  amount  of  water  late  in  the  sea- 
son, and  for  nearly  all  Summer  the  Delaware  was  navigable  to  the  lands  above 
the  Water  Gap,  and  the  Lehigh  to  the  Lehigh  Gap.  The  only  difficulty  was 
to  have  properly  constructed  boats,  and  a  large  business  could  be  done.  The 
Durhams  were  in  the  country  as  early  as  1723,  and  on  the  12th  of  June  of 
that  year  E.  N.  Durham  was  one  of  the  viewers  of  a  road  from  Green  Swamp,  Bristol 
township,  to  the  Borough  of  Bristol.  Durham  Furnace,  ten  miles  below  Easton,  was 
built  about  1727,  and  needed  some  means  by  which  the  iron  could  be  sent  to  Philadelphia. 
And,  as  "necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention,"  so  we  have  an  account  of  the  birthplace 
of  these  boats.  "On  the  authority  of  Abraham  Houpt,  we  learn  the  first  Durham  boat 
was  built  near  Durham,  on  the  bank  of  the  Delaware,  near  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  by  one 
Robert  Durham,  the  manager  and  engineer  of  the  Furnace,  and  that  the  boat  was  made 
nearly  in  the  shape  of  an  Indian  canoe,  and  the  works  were  po.ssibly  named  after  the 
builder  of  the  boat.  This  was  before  1750.  As  early  as  1758  Durham  boats  were  used  to 
transport  flour  from  John  Vankampen's  mill,  at  Minisink,  to  Philadelphia."* 

In  conversation  with  the  venerable  ]\Iichael  Butz,  who  was  quite  familiar  with  them 
in  his  early  manhood,  he  said  they  were  shaped  like  an  Indian's  canoe,  and  had  a  wide 
board  extending  the  whole  length  of  the  boat  on  each  side,  on  which  men  walked  in  pro- 
pelling the  boat  up  from  Philadelphia,  using  long  poles  for  that  purpose.  These  boats 
would  carry  125  or  150  barrels  of  flour  at  a  load,  and  float  down  with  the  tide,  but  it  was 
hard  work  in  poleing  them  back  against  the  current.  The  Kichlines  and  Wagoners 
built  mills  on  the  Bushkill  in  1763,  1780  and  1792,  and  found  the  Durham  boats  a  ready 
means  of  transporting  their  flour  to  market.  In  1783  old  'Squire  Abel  (Jacob  Abel)  kept 
a  hotel,  and  was  the  first  in  Easton  to  own  Durham  boats  and  take  part  in  the  traffic.  The 
point  of  shipment  was  at  the  dock  just  below  and  above  the  Delaware  bridge. 

Robert  Durham  had  a  very  small  idea  of  the  work  he  was  doing  when  he  built  the 
first  Durham  boat.     They  became  not  only  the  means  of  commercial  intercourse  between 

*  Hist.  Bucks  County,  pa^e  646. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  37 

Philadelphia  and  the  upper  waters  of  the  Delaware,  but  they  saved  Washington's  army 
and  thereby  gained  freedom  for  mankind.  When  Washington  had  fought  the  battle  of 
Brooklyn,  and  other  disasters  soon  followed,  he  saw  there  was  no  safety  for  his  disheart- 
ened forces  but  in  a  rapid  retreat  through  New  Jersey,  across  the  Delaware  into  Pennsyl- 
vania. Fabius  saved  his  ann}-  and  his  country  by  retreating,  and  Washington  had  read  his 
history.  It  is  in  misfortunes,  when  the  soul  is  overwhelmed,  when  dark  clouds  settle  over 
one's  pathway,  that  real  manhood  is  developed.  This  was  the  critical  moment  of  the  Revo- 
lution. The  English  Generals  thought  the  war  was  over,  and  Cornwallis  was  on  the  point 
of  starting  for  Europe.  * 

General  Washington  began  the  battle  of  Brooklyn  with  an  army  of  twenty  thousand; 
when  he  arrived  at  Trenton  he  had  about  three  thousand.  They  were  poorly  clad  and 
poorly  fed.  He  had  sent  to  Congress  an  account  of  his  defeat  and  his  intention  to  retreat 
across  the  Delaware,  and  an  order  to  have  the  boats  on  the  Delaware  coUedted  on  the 
west  side,  so  that  he  could  cross  without  delay. 

About  the  same  time  Washington  had  sent  Colonel  Humptou  to  colledl  all  the  boats 
along  the  Delaware  and  other  craft.  Jacob  Abel  (old  'Squire  Abel)  was  called  upon  to  help 
colledl  the  boats  to  convey  the  patriots  across  the  river.     This  we  have  from  Elisha  Allis, 


Esq.,  who  received  it  from  a  member  of  the  family.  These  strange  vessels,  built  by  the 
hands  of  Providence,  stood  ready  when  Washington  came  to  the  Delaware,  and  the  army 
of  freedom  stepped  into  them  and  were  soon  across  the  pleasant  waters,  and  they  never 
seemed  so  pleasant  as  when  Washington  and  his  suffering  army  were  safely  landed  on  Sun- 
day morning,  December  8tli,  on  the  Pennsylvania  shore,  and  at  eleven  o'clock  the  same 
morning  saw  the  British  forces  marching  down  on  the  opposite  bank.  The  hostile  armies 
now  lay  facing  each  other  across  the  Delaware,  and  the  cause  of  independence  was  safe. 
Lee  had  been  ordered  to  join  Washington's  army,  and  General  Ewing  was  ordered  to  send 
Durham  boats  to  McKonkey's,  and  General  Maxwell  was  ordered  to  seize  all  the  boats  not 
needed  and  put  them  under  strong  guard,  and  those  he  could  not  guard  should  be  de- 
stroyed. The  enemy  waited  for  the  river  to  freeze  over  and  give  them  a  passage  across, 
but  the  river  would  not  freeze.  The  English  at  length  retired  and  left  a  body  of  troops 
at  Trenton.  The  Legislature  of  New  Jersey  had  crossed  the  Delaware  with  Washington, 
Congress  had  gone  to  Baltimore  ;  all  was  consternation  and  alarm.  Here  is  where  Wash- 
ington showed  the  grandeur  of  his  nature.  He  had  retreated  through  New  Jersey  with  a 
powerful  and  triumphant  army  in  hot  pursuit;  but,  while  others  trembled,  he  was  calm, 
unmoved  h\  disaster.  Whatever  griefs  he  had  were  kept  from  the  public.  Everything 
depended  upon  him.  At  what  time  he  first  conceived  the  plan  of  recrossing  the  Delaware 
*Jared  Sparks,  in  his  "Life  of  Washington,"  says:  "When  the  news  reached  New  York,  Cornwallis,  on  the 
point  of  starting  for  Europe,  was  ordered  to  take  command  in  the  Jerse)-s." 


38  THE  HISTORY  OF 

and  attacking  the  Hessians  is  not  known ;  it  was  never  divnlged.  But  the  plan  ivas 
formed.     Two  thousand  four  hundred  men  were  prepared  to  recross  the  Delaware. 

Bancroft  says  Washington  wrote  the  watchword  for  his  anny,  which  was  "  VicT;or>-  or 
Death,"  on  the  23d  of  December.  He  wrote  Colonel  Reed  about  the  time:  "Christmas 
day,  at  night,  one  hour  before  day,  is  the  time  fixed  upon  for  our  attack  on  Trenton." 
Six  davs  before,  the  first  number  of  Paine's  "American  Crisis"  was  read  to  every  regiment 
in  the  army,  which  greatly  aroused  the  spirit  of  the  troops.  And  whoever  will  read 
this  number  of  the  "Crisis"  will  feel  that  the  watchword,  "  Vidlory  or  Death,"  was  in  per- 
fe(5l  sympathy  with  the  army.  This  enabled  the  soldiers  to  march,  leaving  their  bloody 
tracks  upon  the  ground.  The  da}-  came  at  last  —  the  Durham  boats  were  waiting,  ready 
to  take  their  precious  freight  across  through  sleet  and  ice.  Now  occurs  one  of  the  strange 
incidents  of  the  war.  A  Tory  had  found  out  that  an  attack  was  to  be  made  that  night  on 
Trenton.  He  wrote  a  letter  and  hurried  to  Trenton,  handed  it  to  Colonel  Rahl,  who  put 
the  letter  in  his  pocket  unopened.  This  decided  his  fate,  this  made  vidlor\-  easy ;  this 
letter,  unsealed,  was  found  in  his  pocket  when  he  lay  dead  after  the  battle.  He  was  busy 
preparing  for  a  Christmas  party  in  the  evening;  he  could  read  the  letter  in  the  morning. 
That  putting  the  letter  unread  in  his  pocket  settled  the  fate  of  the  British  Empire  in 
America,  enabled  Washington  to  snatch  vi<ftory  from  defeat,  and  drive  awa}-  the  dark 
clouds  which  had  hung  in  such  deep  darkness  over  the  land.  It  was  a  dark,  stormy  night ; 
the  river  was  filled  with  ice,  but  those  were  men  of  stout  hearts  and  iron  nerves.  The  \-er\- 
storm  seemed  to  come  as  a  friend  to  remove  all  apprehension  of  an  attack.  After  cross- 
ing, the  army  marched  in  perfect  silence.  At  early  morn  the  roar  of  battle  was  heard ; 
the  fight  was  brief,  the  vi<?i;or>-  complete.  More  than  a  thousand  prisoners,  a  thousand 
stand  of  anus,  a  number  of  cannon,  were  the  fruits  of  the  vi(5lor}-.  No  mighty  ship  ever 
carried  a  prouder  freight  across  the  sea  than  these  Durham  boats  that  26th  of  December, 
1776,  carried  across  the  sparkling  waters  of  the  friendly  river.  There  was  no  time  to  be 
lost.  He  had  caught  his  game,  and  he  must  take  it  to  a  place  of  safety.  The  forces  were 
small  engaged  in  this  battle,  but  it  was  one  of  the  most  important  battles  in  the  military- 
history  of  the  world.  Many  unused  to  weep  shed  tears  of  joy.  If  Washington  can  do 
such  wonders,  he  can  do  anything,  thought  many  people.  There  were  dark  days  after 
the  famous  retreat  through  New  Jersey  and  more  famous  battle  of  Trenton,  but  none  so 
dark.  The  name  of  Washington  was  on  every  lip.  The  British  Generals  could  not  with- 
hold their  praise,  and  Frederick  the  Great  sent  him  a  beautiful  sword  with  this  inscription: 
"From  the  oldest  to  the  youngest  General  in  the  world." 

These  grand  old  boats  had  done  a  good  work,  but  they  had  one  more  errand  on  hand. 
When  the  army  had  become  sufiSciently  refreshed,  these  homely  vessels  were  again  called 
upon  to  convey  the  intrepid  commander  across  the  Delaware,  and  took  position  at  Trenton. 
He  soon  heard  Cornwallis  was  on  his  way  to  meet  him.  He  took  position  across  the 
Assinpink  Creek,  placed  his  artillery  so  as  to  rake  the  bridge,  and  built  his  camp-fires  for 
the  night.  The  arnn-  of  Cornwallis  was  in  overwhelming  numbers,  and  Washington  saw 
the  odds  were  too  .seriously  against  him,  and  a  battle  next  day  would  be  disastrous  ;  some 
plan  must  be  adopted  to  avoid  the  danger.  In  the  early  part  of  the  night  the  mud  was  so 
deep  that  it  was  thought  impossible  to  draw  the  artillery  and  heavy  baggage,  if  he  should 
retreat,  but  toward  midnight  the  wind  changed,  became  cold,  the  ground  froze,  and  all 
might  move  easily.     Washington  knew  there  were  troops  which  the  English  had  ordered 


E ASTON,  PENN'A. 


39 


to  Princeton,  ten  miles  distant.  He  gave  orders  to  have  the  camp-fires  kept  brighth-  burn- 
ing, and  the  guards  were  to  remain  at  the  bridge  and  fords  till  near  daylight,  while  the 
army  quietly  left,  and  at  sunrise  was  at  Princeton.  A  severe  engagement  took  place  ; 
Washington  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  encouraging  his  soldiers.  The  battle  was 
won.  About  three  hundred  Britons  were  made  prisoners  and  one  hundred  killed.  Some 
valuable  lives  were  lost  b}-  the  Americans.  After  this  battle,  Washington  retired  to  Mor- 
ristown.  Cornwallis  looked  across  the  creek  early  in  the  morning.  He  saw  the  smould- 
ering camp-fires,  but  not  a  soldier  was  to  be  seen  ;  but  when  he  heard  the  roar  of  battle  at 
Princeton,  he  knew  the  bird  had  flown. 

The  Durham  boats  have  never  had  credit  for  the  important  part  they  took  in  this  dark 
hour  of  the  world's  progress.  But  they  did  their  work  quite  as  well  as  the  British  fleet  at 
Trafalgar  or  Copenhagen,  or  that  of  Perry  on  Lake  Erie.  They  helped  Freedom  along  in 
the  mighty  struggle.  These  boats  had  their  day  ;  they  have  passed  away.  They  would 
be  no  more  thought  of  now  than  an  old-fashioned  spinning-wheel,  but  they  were  a  power 
in  their  time.  When  reading  this  part  of  our  history,  we  can  but  think  of  the  beautiful 
lines  of  Watts : 

"God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 

His  wonders  to  perform  ; 
He  plants  his  footsteps  on  the  sea, 

And  rides  upon  the  storm. 

"Ye  fearful  saints,  fresh  courage  take, 

The  clouds  ye  so  much  dread, 

Are  big  with  mercy,  and  shall  break 

With  blessings  on  your  head." 

After  the  Revolutionary  war  was  closed,  the  Durham  boats  became  of  more  impor- 
tance than  ever  in  carrying  the  products  of  the  farmers  of  Warren  and  Sussex  counties, 
N.  J.,  and,  of  what  is  now  Monroe,  Pike,  Luzerne  and  Northampton,  to  Philadelphia. 
And  this  traffic  was  carried  on  by  this  homely  craft  for  fifty  years  after  the  Independence 
of  the  United  was  settled  by  the  treaty  of  Paris.  There  were  two  rocks  in  the  Lehigh, 
near  Easton,  called  the  forty  and  sixty  barrel  rocks.  The  signification  of  these  names 
was,  that  when  the  forty  barrel  rock  was  covered  by  water,  a  Durham  boat  would  carry 
forty  barrels  of  whiskey  to  Philadelphia,  and  so,  when  the  sixty  barrel  rock  was  covered 
a  boat  would  carry  sixty  barrels  of  whiskey. 

There  is  an  incident  in  the  history  of  Easton  in  which  these  boats  played  a  more  acftive 
part.  For  some  time  it  was  understood  that  La  Fayette  would  visit  the  land  and  grave  of 
Washington.  The  long  expected  visit  took  place  in  1824.  This  noble  friend  of  our 
country  was  received  in  New  York  in  August,  and  arrangements  were  soon  made  by  which 
he  was  to  visit  the  principal  cities  of  the  Republic.  The  enthusiasm  knew  no  bounds. 
The  roar  of  cannon  could  be  heard  on  all  sides  welcoming  this  friend  of  Washington  to 
our  land.  Easton  was  alive  with  patriotic  emotion.  It  was  arranged  to  receive  the  illus- 
trious visitor  in  Philadelphia.  There  was  a  paper  published  at  that  time  in  Easton  by 
George  W.  Deshler,  called  the  Spirit  of  Pennsylvania.  From  the  files  of  this  paper  we 
learn  the  part  Easton  took  in  doing  honor  to  the  noble  Frenchman.  In  the  issue  of  Sep- 
tember 3rd,  we  have  the  following  general  orders:  "The  Volunteers  of  the  Borough  of 
Easton  will  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  to  Philadelphia,  in  honor  of  General 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


41 


La  Fayette,  provided  with  two  days  provisions — amis  and  other  eqnipments  in  the  best 
possible  condition.  Knap-sacks  are  not  to  be  procured,  they  are  abandoned  on  account  of 
expense.  A  wagon  will  be  furnished  to  transport  the  baggage.  The  companies  will  be 
formed  in  the  Centre  Square,  at  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  da)'  they  are  to  march, 
and  will  form  a  battalion  under  the  command  of  the  senior  oihcer.  Dr.  John  O.  Wagener 
is  appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Battalion,  D.  D.  Wagener,  Captain  E.  U.  Guards,  William 
L.  Sebring,  Captain  Easton  Artillerists,  J.  Weygandt,  Jr.,  Captain  Citizen  Volunteers. 
Easton,  August  30,  1824." 

The  companies  paraded  on  the  Square  on  the  nth  of  September.  Such  excitement 
had  not  been  witnessed  since  the  fall  of  Yorktown.  Hours  moved  slowly.  Days  seemed 
prolonged,  a  week  seemed  a  month.  But  the  day  came  at  length,  the  22d  of  September. 
Easton  volunteers,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred,  were  under  arms  at  half-past  seven,  and 
at  8  o'clock  were  on  the  march  for  the  "Point"  at  the  foot  of  Ferry  street.  Durham  boats 
were  at  the  wharf  to  take  their  patriotic  burden  down  the  sparkling  stream;  they  had  taken 
the  prisoners  and  trophies  of  war  from  the  vi(5lorious  field  of  Trenton,  forty-eight  years 
before,  and  now  they  were  to  carry  the  freemen  of  Easton  to  honor  the  battle-scarred  friend 
of  Washington  in  the  city  of  "brotherly  love."  The  people  of  Easton  were  up  "bright 
and  early."  The  whole  population  was  at  the  "great  Square,"  watching  the  forming 
lines,  and  listening  to  the  strains  of  music  as  they  broke  upon  the  morning  air,  and  echoed 
amid  the  surrounding  hills.  Our  venerable  friend,  Michael  Butz,  was  in  the  company, 
and  his  young  wife  was  watching  the  scene  with  the  most  earnest  feeling.  They  had  been 
married  two  years.  It  has  been  sixty-one  years  since  that  bright  September  morning,  and 
both  are  hale  and  hearty  still.  The  soldiers  marched  briskly  to  the  "Point,"  stepped  into 
the  boats,  the  sailors  drew  in  the  hawsers,  turned  their  vessels  into  current,  and  they  went 
on  their  way  down  the  beautiful  river.  The  guns  on  Mount  JeiTerson  bade  them  God 
speed  on  their  patriotic  journey.  The  shores  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  were 
covered  by  thousands,  cheering  and  waving  handkerchiefs,  which  salutations  were  returned 
by  the  hearty  shouts  of  these  citizen  soldiers  on  their  way  to  do  honor  to  the  great  cham- 
pion of  human  freedom.  It  was  a  happy  company  in  those  Durham  boats,  floating  along 
amid  "the  picturesque  scenery,  the  alternate  views  of  beautiful  fanns  and  farm-houses, 
the  variegated  landscapes,  peeping  as  it  were,  through  immense  mountains  of  solid  rock — 
the  varied  and  flucfluating  motions  of  the  waters,  now  gentle,  now  smoothly  flowing,  and 
again  foaming  and  billowing  in  sudden  and  rapid  violence — the  beautiful  but  irregular 
windings  of  the  Delaware — were  in  themselves,  sufiicient  recreations  for  the  mind.  But 
the  sporting  jest,  the  hearty  laugh  and  innocent  merriment,  and  soul-stirring  music,  all 
helped  to  make  the  day  the  happiest  of  their  lives." 

The  companies  arrived  at  Trenton  at  night,  all  put  up  at  one  hotel.  In  the  morning 
the  boats  were  towed  to  the  landing  at  Philadelphia  by  steamers.  The  journey  had  been 
safely  made,  and  no  commander  of  the  great  steamers  which  contend  with  the  storming 
billows  of  the  Atlantic,  ever  felt  his  importance  more  fully  than  the  captains  which 
piloted  these  river  ships  through  the  rocks  and  eddies  of  the  Delaware  from  Easton  to 
Trenton  on  this  niemorable  September  day.  The  author  called  upon  Chief  Burgess  Law- 
rence Titus,  and  inquired  of  him  if  he  was  in  the  expedition  to  Philadelphia  to  meet  La 
Fayette?  "Oh  yes,  and  we  had  a  pleasant  time  in  the  Durham  boats.  But  we  had  to 
walk  back  from  the  citv  to  Easton.     We  arrived  at  Doylestown  at  night,  the  first  day's 


42  THE   HISTORY  OF 

march,  and  were  handsomely  entertained  free  of  expense  to  the  company.  For  the  want 
of  a  better  place,  I  slept  in  jail."  Mr.  Butz  said,  "The  large  team  which  carried  their 
baggage  kept  company  with  them  in  their  tiresome  walk  to  Easton,  and  they  would  take 
turns  in  riding,  and  in  this  way  their  toil  was  somewhat  abated."  If  there  were  any  classi- 
cal scholars  in  the  company  of  wear}-  toilers,  who  contrasted  the  ease  with  which  they 
glided  down  the  bright  rolling  river,  with  the  tugging,  sweating  through  the  dust,  a  dis- 
tance of  sixty-five  miles,  it  is  quite  likely  they  many  times  recalled  the  lines  of  Virgil — 
"Facilis  descensus  Averno  est;  sed  revocare  gradum, — hoc  opus,  hie  labor  est."  But  they 
did  retrace  their  steps  and  arrived  safely  at  Easton  at  the  close  of  the  second  day's  march. 
They  had  seen  La  Fayette,  and  felt  their  toil  was  not  for  naught. 

These  boats  began  their  work  on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Delaware.  As  already 
stated,  the  first  ones  were  made  before  1750.  They  carried  on  a  large  trade  with  the 
Dutch  farmers  at  the  Minisinks,  above  the  Water  Gap.  We  find  the  following  in  a  work 
entitled  "The  Life  of  Major  Moses  Van  Campen"  (page  21):  "It  was  the  custom  of  the 
farmers  who  lived  on  the  Delaware,  above  the  Water  Gap,  to  convey  their  wheat,  which 
they  raised  in  great  abundance,  down  on  the  river  to  Philadelphia,  to  be  sold  there.  For 
this  purpose  they  used  large  boats,  called  Durham  boats,  which  would  earn-  ten  or  twelve 
tons  apiece.  Wheat  was  their  staple,  and  they  depended  much  on  getting  it  safely  into 
market."  It  is  supposed  the  Holland  Dutch  came  into  the  Minisinks  as  early  as  1635, 
and  had  fine  orchards,  large  fanns,  and  large  settlements,  against  which  Teedyuscung 
hurled  his  vengeance  in  1755.  These  hardy  and  industrious  people  were  ready  to  seize 
the  earliest  instrumentality  by  which  their  produce  could  find  a  market.  Long  before  the 
Revolutionary  war,  a  depot  and  store-house  was  established  at  Easton,  from  which  grain 
could  be  loaded  on  the  Durham  boats  for  the  Philadelphia  market.  The  first  one  built 
was  located  on  the  north  side  of  the  Delaware  bridge,  the  foundation  of  which  was  close 
to  that  of  the  toll-house,  and  is  still  standing  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  This  was  a 
frame  building,  and  was  owned  by  Christian  Butz,  the  father  of  the  venerable  Michael 
Butz,  still  living  in  Easton.  In  1779,  the  army  of  General  Sullivan  passed  through  Easton 
to  Wyoming  to  fight  the  Indians;  met  them,  and  severely  whipped  them;  the  scene  of  the 
action  being  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  city  of  Elmira.  When  the  anny 
returned,  it  staj'ed  some  time  in  Easton,  and  the  Durham  boat  store-house  was  occupied 
by  some  of  the  troops.  They  were  rough,  lively  fellows.  Three  of  them  were  hung  on 
gallows  hill  for  shooting  a  landlord  at  Minisinks  because  he  would  not  sell  them  rum 
when  they  were  already  drunk.  On  another  occasion,  they  rode  in  nudity  through  the 
street  to  the  rivers  for  bathing.  Below  the  bridge  stands  a  brick  building,  which,  in  a 
past  age,  serv'ed  as  a  store-house  for  the  Durham  craft.  The  iron  shiitters  are  closed,  and 
we  can  almost  imagine  the  ghosts  of  the  past  holding  high  revel  amid  its  gloomy  silence. 
These  two  spots  have  been  scenes  of  bustling  activity  and  hard  toil.  Here,  from  the  early 
history  of  the  town,  the  Wageners,  the  Greens,  the  Abels,  the  busy,  hard-working  Ger- 
man farmers,  have  mingled  in  these  busy  scenes,  and  there  is  nothing  left  to  remind  us  of 
these  activities,  but  these  silent,  deserted  walls.  We  walk  on  the  foundation  of  the  one, 
and  gaze  at  the  iron  covered  windows  of  the  other,  and  think  of  the  men  who  built  them 
and  gained  subsistence  for  themselves  and  families  there,  and  have  passed  away;  and 
the  gathering  crowds  assembling  at  the  arriving  and  departing  of  these  vessels  arc  now 
forgotten.      The  crowds  of  peojile,  English  and  German,  old  and  young,  young  men  and 


EAST  ON,    PENN'A.  43 

maids  of  interest  and  excitement  have  gathered  at  these  points  and  enjoyed  the  jokes  and 
songs  of  these  river-mariners,  carefully  guiding  their  heavily  laden  boats  down  the  rip- 
pling current,  while  others,  tugging  with  their  setting  polls,  are  urging  the  boats  up  the 
tide  to  the  Miuisinks,  making  the  air  vocal  with  their  songs  as  they  set  their  polls  and 
walk  the  broad  planks  on  each  side  of  the  vessel.  These  men,  sweating,  toiling  in  these 
boats  on  the  Delaware,  were  happy  in  their  toil,  and  satisfied  with  the  great  improvements 
of  the  age.  The  Durham  boats  were  good  enough  for  them.  The  merchants  and  farmers 
met  the  demands  of  human   life  then,  quite  as  easily  as  now.      The  wives  and  children 


were  just  as  happy,  when  the  husbands  and  fathers  returned  from  their  trips  then,  as  the>- 
are  now,  flying  toward  home  at  the  rate  of  fifty  miles  an  hour.  The  mothers  and  children, 
hastening  to  the  river's  side  to  watch  for  father's  boat  returning  up  the  beautiful  stream, 
had  the  same  thrills  of  delight  when  they  saw  the  well  known  boat  appearing  around  the 
bend  of  the  river,  and  received  the  familiar  signal  of  the  man  standing  on  the  bow,  as  is 
now  experienced  bv  those  waiting  papa's  train  whirling  toward  the  depot  and  see  him  leap 
to  the  platform.  Long  since  these  vessels  urged  their  way  up  to  the  Minisinks,  the  voices 
of  the  sturdy  boatman  echoing  amid  these  mountain  crags,  steam  has  been  applied  to  the 
purposes  of  commerce  b)-  land  and  sea;  the  lightning  has  been  put  in  harness,  compelled 
to  obey  our  mandates,  and  bring  the  morning  news  from  the  capitals  of  the  world  to  read 


44  THE  HISTORY  OF 

after  our  evening  meal.  By  telephone  we  can  now  talk  with  a  friend,  though  hundreds  of 
miles  away,  as  if  he  were  sitting  by  our  side.  We  have  now  coaxed  the  lightning  to  light 
our  streets  and  dwellings,  and  before  coal  is  exhausted  will  warm  our  homes  amid  the 
blasts  of  winter,  and  cook  our  meals  by  a  Dynamo  in  every  home.  And  yet  there  was  as 
pure,  as  much  happiness,  in  those  olden  times  as  now.  Then  to  those  old  boats,  "Vale, 
vale,  dicimus. "      "  In  memoria  dulcissima  quiescant. " 

Here  and  there  a  Durham  boat  flits  along  the  river,  amid  the  scenes  of  fonner  excite- 
ment and  interest,  like  a  ghost  silently  and  sadly  wandering  among  the  recollections  of 
the  past,  under  the  shadowy  crags  of  the  classic  river,  while  the  hoarse  voice  of  the  driver 
urges  his  mules  along  the  tow-path,  or  the  locomotive  thunders  along  with  its  mighty 
burden  shaking  the  solid  hills  in  its  course.  How  man.elous  the  changes  of  fifty  years  ! 
' '  Tempus  omnia  mutat. ' ' 


A  NEW  RACE  COMING  TO  THE  FRONT. 

No  thoughtful  man  can  watch  the  tide  of  immigration  of  the  varied  nationalities  of 
Europe  into  our  country,  and  observe  the  ease  with  which  they  settle  down  and  become 
hannonious  parts  of  our  national  life,  without  wondering  at  the  strange  power  of  our 
institutions,  by  which  these  people  of  widely  different  religious  and  political  prejudices 
are  so  soon  changed  into  patriotic  American  citizens,  so  ready,  if  necessary,  to  die  for  the 
land  of  their  adoption,  and  the  government  which  they  had  learned  to  love  before  they 
came  to  our  shores.  We  are  reminded  of  this  in  reading  the  early  history  of  Easton. 
Here  we  have  the  Scotch,  English,  Irish,  Dutch,  French  and  German  meeting  in  the 
"Forks  of  the  Delaware,"  forgetting  the  associations  of  the  old,  as  they  mingle  amid  the 
busy  scenes  of  the  new  world.  The  old  race  distindlions  pass  away.  The  names  French, 
German,  Scotch,  Irish  and  Dutch  are  lost  in  the  prouder  name  American.  A  new  race 
has  come  into  life  in  this  new  world,  unlike  any  one  which  has  gone  before.  And  if  the 
Danish,  Saxon  and  Norman  blood,  mingling  with  the  Celtic  stock,  has  produced  the 
English  people,  upon  whose  dominions  the  sun  never  sets,  if  the  mingling  of  the  blood  of 
these  four  generations  produce  a  Wellington,  what  kind  of  a  nation  are  we  to  have  in  the 
new  world,  where  the  blood  of  the  various  nationalities  of  Europe  are  mingling  in  the 
hot  contest  for  wealth,  happiness  and  political  prefennent  ?  Our  territory  is  as  large  as  all 
Europe,  washed  by  two  great  oceans,  traversed  by  lofty  mountain  ranges,  and  watered  by 
the  greatest  rivers  of  the  globe,  and  is  to  be  the  theatre  for  the  development  of  the  great 
race  of  tlie  future.  The  wildest  imagination  can  hardly  conceive  the  glory  and  grandeur 
of  this  new  race  of  Americans.  Easton  was  settled  by  representatives  from  six  nations  of 
Europe,  but  all  these  distinitlons  have  long  since  passed  away,  and  the  people  of  to-day 
are  proud  to  be  called  Americans.  This  new  race  has  no  titled  rulers,  no  crowns  nor 
thrones,  and  only  confer  titles  upon  those  whom  nature  has  made  worthy  to  bear  them. 


THE  INDIAN  TREATIES 


"  Lo,  the  poor  Indian  !  whose  untutored  mind 
Sees  God  in  clouds,  or  hears  him  in  the  wind ; 
Yet  simple  nature  to  his  hope  has  given 
Behind  the  cloud-topp'd  hill  an  humbler  heaven  ; 
Where  slaves  once  more  their  native  land  behold, 
No  fiends  torment,  no  Christians  thirst  for  gold. ' ' — Pope. 


THE    WALKING    PURCHASE." 


jEFORE  entering  upon  the  history  of  the  Indian  Treaties,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  notice  briefly  the  nature  of  the  "Walking  Purchase"  of  1737.  It  was  the 
alleged  unfairness  of  this  purchase  that  called  these  treaty  making  powers 
together.  My  authority  for  the  fadls  here  brought  to  view,  is  the  ver>' 
valuable  history  of  Bucks  county,  and  also  the  Colonial  Records  and  Archives 
of  Pennsylvania.  "No  event  in  the  early  history  of  the  country  gave  so 
much  dissatisfadlion  to  the  Indians,  or  led  to  as  severe  criticism  of  the  Penns, 
as  the  'walking  purchase.'  "  This  famous  treaty  was  based  upon  a  treaty 
said  to  have  been  made  between  the  Proprietaries  and  the  Indians  in  1686, 
although  such  treaty  has  never  been  found,  and  many  doubt  whether  any 
such  treaty  ever  existed.  But  the  whites  claimed  that  there  was  a  treaty 
which  gave  them  a  right  to  settle  upon  the  lands  in  question,  the  Indians  became  uneasy, 
and  demanded  a  settlement,  by  having  proper  boundaries.  To  arrange  these  boundaries, 
a  council,  or  treaty,  was  called  at  Durham  in  1734,  which  was  continued  at  Pennsbury  in 
May,  1735,  and  was  concluded  August  25,  1737,  at  Philadelphia.  At  these  treaties,  the 
limits  fixed  by  the  treaty  of  1686  were  confirmed,  and  "it  was  agreed  that  the  boun- 
dary should  be  determined  by  walking  a  day  and  a  half  in  a  northwest  dire<ftion  from 
a  point  in  the  head  line  of  the  purchase  of  1682."  While  these  negotiations  were  in 
progress  between  the  Proprietaries  and  the  Indians,  the  fonner  arranged  for  a  preliminary 
walk  to  be  performed  by  expert  walkers,  to  ascertain  how  far  a  "day  and  a  half  walk" 
would  extend  into  the  country.  The  author  of  Bucks  County  History  remarks  :  "  As  the 
Penns  caused  this  walk  to  be  made  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Indians,  our  readers  are 
able  to  judge  of  the  morality  of  this  act."  In  the  work  above  alluded  to,  there  is  an 
admirable  map  of  the  walk.  Three  expert  walkers  had  been  obtained,  Edward  Marshall, 
James  Yeates  and  Solomon  Jennings.  It  was  agreed  that  the  Indians  should  send  several 
of  their  young  men  to  see  fair  play.  Men  on  horseback  were  employed  to  accompany  the 
walkers  and  carry  the  food  for  them.  The  trees  had  been  "blazed"  in  the  preliminary 
walk,  so  that  there  need  be  no  time  lost  in  hunting  paths.  "The  place  of  starting  was  fixed 
at  a  large  chestnut  tree,  where  the  road  from  Pennsville  meets  the  Durham  road,  near  the 
Wrightstown  meeting-house."  The  day  fixed  was  the  19th  of  September,  when  a  geo- 
graphical line  was  to  be  established,  which  was  destined  to  make  quite  as  much  noise  as 
that  of  Mason  aiid  Dixon.      The  appointed  day  came,    the  sun  was  just  crossing  the 


46  THE  HISTORY   OF 

Equator,  and  would  be  up  promptl)-  at  six  o'clock.  The  famous  walkers  were  at  their 
post,  their  hands  upon  the  old  chestnut  tree.  Sheriff  Smith  was  on  hand,  mounted  ready 
for  the  start.  The  young  Indians  and  many  curious  people  were  watching  the  scene.  All 
were  waiting  for  the  first  rays  of  the  rising  sun  to  dart  their  golden  beams  athwart  the 
landscape.  The  sun  rose  in  splendor,  and  this  strange  drama  in  histon.'  had  begun. 
"  Bets  were  made  on  the  speed  of  the  walkers."  "  Yeates  led  the  way  with  a  light  step," 
not  far  behind  came  Jennings  and  the  two  Indian  walkers,  and  last,  far  behind,  came 
Marshall,  in  a  careless  manner  swinging  a  hatchet  in  his  hand.  He  knew  that  he  who 
starts  slowest  holds  out  longest,  and  he  was  the  only  one  of  the  three  who  held  out  the 
dav  and  a  half  Jennings  gave  out  before  noon  the  first  day,  Yeates  fell  into  a  creek  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountain  on  the  morning  of  the  second  day,  was  blind  when  taken  up  and 
died  in  three  days.  At  twelve  o'clock,  Mr.  Marshall  threw  himself  upon  the  ground 
exhausted  and  "grasped  a  sapling  which  marked  the  limit  of  the  walk."  The  walkers 
crossed  the  Lehigh  at  Jones'  Island,  a  mile  below  Bethlehem,  passed  the  Blue  Mountain 
at  Smith's  gap  in  Moore  township,  Northampton  county.  It  had  been  agreed  that  a  line 
should  be  drawn  to  the  Delaware.  The  Indians  very  naturally  claimed  that  the  line  should 
reach  the  river  at  the  nearest  point,  which  would  not  have  been  very  far  from  the  point 
opposite  Belvidere;  while  the  proprietaries  claimed  the  line  should  be  drawn  at  right  angles 
to  the  line  of  walk  which  struck  the  river  near  Lackawaxen,  far  above  Port  Jervis.  A 
glance  at  the  map  will  show  the  wide  difference  between  the  parties.  The  Indians  were 
dissatisfied;  they  felt  they  had  been  "over-reached"  in  the  treaty  of  1737;  they  felt  the 
conditions  were  "hard."  And  all  of  this  is  acknowledged  by  the  writer  who  gives  us  so 
much  pleasure  to  follow.  But  who  made  those  conditions  so  hard  ?  Who  performed  this 
act  of  over- reaching  ?  Who  determined  to  exa(?t  the  fulfilment  of  these  conditions,  and 
over-reaching  to  the  letter?  The  writer  above  alluded  to  generously  tries  to  defend  the 
whites,  but  his  pen  seeined  to  move  heavily  along  the  "ragged  edge"  of  something  more 
unpleasant  than  "danger."  The  Indians  smothered  their  wrath  till  Braddock  fell,  then  the>- 
went  on  the  war  path.  The  smoke  of  burning  buildings  at  Gnadenhutton,  and  through 
what  is  now  Monroe  county,  the  shrieks  of  innocent  women  and  children  and  smoking 
scalps  at  the  belt  of  Teedynscung,  made  the  whites  willing  to  hold  a  parle>-  with  the  red 
man,  and  hence  the  treaties  at  Easton. 


DAVID    MARTIN'S    TWO    FERRIES. 

David  Martin  was  thus  the  first  to  break  in  upon  the  solitudes  and  begin  the  work 
which  was  to  make  these  hills  and  valleys  the  scene  of  so  much  beauty  and  comfort.  Hut 
if  he  had  been  seeking  for  a  home  only  he  would  not  have  built  upon  a  spot  so  unpromis- 
ing in  appearance.  He  was,  however,  looking  for  a  place  of  business.  The  people  were 
unable  to  build  bridges  across  large  streams,  and  a  ferry  became  a  matter  of  great  con\-en- 
ience,  as  well  as  a  necessity.  He  had  two  ferries;  one  to  accommodate  those  who  wished 
to  go  to  and  from  the  Jerseys,  and  another  across  the  Lehigh  for  those  who  wished  to  go 
toward  Dnrliani,  Bristol  or  I'liiladclphia.  \'itv  few  of  tlu-  ]irescnt  generation  visit  this 
spot,  who  n'.-ili/t.'   tlu'   scenes  of  excitenienl  and    importance   lliat   lia\e   transiiired   at   l1iis 


EASTOA\    PENN'A. 


M 


locality.  Not  a  vestage  remains  to  remind  us  of  the  dead  past.  Here  have  been  scenes 
of  revelry  and  mirth,  here  have  been  scenes  of  diplomatic  struggles,  in  which  kings  and 
potentates  have  engaged,  upon  the  results  of  which  depended  the  success  of  the  great  war, 
then  casting  its  dark  shadows  over  the  land.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  historian  to  reproduce 
these  scenes,  and  record  them  for  the  benefit  of  future  generations.  "In  1739,  David 
Martin  obtained  a  grant  and  patent  for  ferrying  at  the  forks  of  the  Delaware,  his  privileges 
extending  about  thirteen  miles  along  the  New  Jersey  side  of  the  river,  fi^om  the  upper 
end  of  Tinicum  Island  to  Marble  Mountain,  a  mile  above  the  mouth  of  the  Lehigh." 
He  had  the  exclusive  right  to  ferry  over  horses,  cows,  sheep,  and  mules,  etc.,  etc.  "Con- 
cerning the  old  Ferry  and  the  route  of  travel  leading  to  and  from  it,  some  light  is  thrown 
by  the  account  which  Mr.  John  Green  (who  was  ferryman  in  1792)  gives  of  his  interview 
with  an  old  man  who  crossed  it  that  year  after  an  absence  of  half  a  century.  This  old 
man  told  Mr.  Green  that  when  he  had  last  crossed  the  ferry  (in  1742  or  1743,  in  David 
Martin's  time)  it  was  in  a  canoe,  and  that  he  swam  his  horse  along  side ;  that  the  site  of 
Easton  at  that  time  was  covered  with  woods  and  thick  underbrush.  And  from  thence  to 
Bethlehem,  which  had  just  begun  to  be  settled,  the  only  route  was  over  an  Indian  path." 
From  this  time  the  "old  ferry  house"  becomes  a  point  of  the  deepest  interest.  Easton 
began  her  history-  with  bitter  wars  following  close  upon  its  birth.  England  had  planted 
colonies  from  Maine  to  Georgia,  along  the  coast,  while  the  French  had  planted  colonies 
from  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  at  the  great  lakes  on  the  Illinois  river,  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  New  Orleans.  England  claimed  the  continent  from  ocean  to  ocean.  France 
intended  to  divide  the  continent  and  take  the  largest  share.  The  war  that  gave  Easton 
so  much  trouble  was  this  war  between  England  and  France  for  the  mastery  of  the  conti- 
nent. The  immediate  cause  which  led  to  the  opening  strife  was  an  effort  to  obtain  control 
of  the  valley  of  the  Ohio.  An  Ohio  company  had  been  formed  in  Virginia,  and  George  II 
had  granted  them  five  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land  located  between  the  Kanawha  and 
Monongahela.  The  French  were  on  the  watch  and  had  built  forts  on  the  land  thus  given 
to  the  Virginians.  In  1754,  George  Washington  was  ordered  by  Virginia  to  take  a  small 
army  and  proceed  at  once  and  take  possession  of  the  territory.  "On  May  26,  he  reached 
Great  Meadows.  Here  Washington  learned  the  French  were  advancing  to  attack  him. 
He  prepared  for  battle,  found  their  hiding  place."  The  French  were  on  the  alert,  flew  to 
arms.  "Fire!"  was  the  command  of  Washington,  and  "the  first  volley  of  a  great  war  went 
whizzing  through  the  air."  Braddock's  defeat  followed  in  July  9th,  1755.  The  Indians 
that  were  hesitating  took  sides  with  France,  and  the  bloody  struggle  was  fairly  underway. 
"The  fall  of  Braddock  was  the  signal  for  the  Delaware  Indians,  whose  affedlions  had  been 
alienated  from  the  English  ever  since  they  saw  them  in  league  with  the  hated  Iroquois 
(six  nations)  for  the  iniquitous  purpose  of  dispossessing  them  of  their  lands."  Allured  by 
the  representations  of  French  emissaries,  in  which  the  prospedl  of  recovering  their  national 
independence  and  the  homes  of  their  fathers  was  flatteringly  held  out  to  them,  "they 
bitterly  denounced  the  fraud  of  1737,  perpetrated  to  confirm  a  deedless  purchase,  meaning 
the  'walking  purchase.'  Wherever  the  whites  dwelt  within  this  territory,  they  re.solved 
to  strike  with  savage  vengeance.  And  that  the  blow  might  be  effectually  dealt,  each 
warrior-chief  was  charged  to  scalp,  kill  and  burn  within  the  precindls  of  his  birthright, 
until  the  English  should  sue  for  peace,  and  promise  redress."*  The  Moravian  settlement 
*  History  of  Moravian  Church,  page  192. 


48  THE   HISTORY   OF 

in  the  valley  of  Mahoning,  November  24th,  was  attacked,  and  the  people  murdered  and 
scalped,  as  also  Gnadenhutten  (now  Weisport)  suffered  the  same  fate.  The  news  of  this 
calamitv  fell  like  a  thunderbolt  on  the  infant  settlement  of  Easton,  and  suddenly  brought 
the  noble  heart  and  tender  care  of  William  Parsons  into  full  play.  He  had  hurried  the 
completion  of  the  jail  that  it  might  ser\'e  as  a  castle  into  which  the  mothers  might  flee 
with  their  children.  From  this  time  till  IMr.  Parsons'  health  broke  down,  he  manifested 
all  the  anxiety  that  a  mother  feels  for  her  helpless  babes.  In  this  terrible  crisis,  something 
must  be  done  to  arrest  the  bloody  work  of  the  scalping  knife  and  tomahawk.  An  effort 
was  made  to  induce  the  Indians  to  meet  at  Easton,  and  treat  for  peace.  But  a  special 
messenger  must  be  sent  to  Wyoming  and  Diahoga.  It  was  a  dangerous  work;  who  will 
go?  Years  before,  an  Indian  mother  of  the  six  nations  had  presented  William  Penn  with 
one  of  her  babes,  as  a  token  of  her  love  for  the  great  friend  of  the  red  man.  History  does 
not  record  an  exhibition  of  stronger  love  for  a  dear  friend  than  this  mother  exhibited  for 
her  benefadlor.  William  Penn  accepted  the  gift,  carefully  watched  over  his  precious 
present.  When  the  great  founder  of  a  great  state  had  passed  away.  Governor  Morris  took 
the  Indian  under  his  care;  and  in  August,  1755,  conferred  on  him  the  title  of  Xew  Castle, 
and  in  remembrance  of  the  event  addressed  him  in  these  words:  "In  token  of  our  affe(ftion 
for  }Our  parents,  and  in  expedlation  of  your  being  a  ver\'  useful  man  in  these  perilous 
times,  I  do,  in  a  most  solemn  manner,  adopt  you  by  the  name  of  New  Castle,  and  order 
you  hereafter  to  be  called  by  that  name. ' '  *  Never  was  a  Gartered  Night  prouder  of  his  title 
than  this  dusky  child  of  the  forest,  and  never  one  wore  it  with  more  distingiiished  honor. 
The  Governor  gave  his  adopted  son  the  message,  and  New  Castle  started  for  Wyoming 
and  Diahoga  (Tioga),  met  the  savages,  and  like  a  skillful  embassador,  induced  the  fierce 
Delawares  to  lay  aside  the  hatchet,  come  to  Easton,  and  meet  their  white  brethren  at  the 
Forks,  kindle  the  council  fires,  and  settle  their  differences  in  a  proper  way.  This  hazard- 
ous mission  to  Diahoga  by  New  Castle  was  effecftual  in  bringing  about  a  conference  between 
the  Governor  and  Teedyuscung,  at  Easton,  in  July  following,  and  opened  negotiations  for 
a  peace.  This  treaty  met  at  Mr.  Vernon's  tavern  and  fern*-  house  at  the  point.  New 
Castle  not  only  returned,  but  brought  Teedyuscung,  the  great  war  trumpet  of  the  Dela- 
wares, with  him.  As  the  last  mentioned  charadler  is  to  appear  ver^•  frequently  at  Easton 
during  the  treaty  gatherings  at  the  fern-,  a  brief  account  of  him  may  not  be  out  of  place. 
According  to  his  own  statement,  he  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1700,  east  of  Trenton,  in 
which  neighborhood  his  ancestors  of  the  Lenape  had  been  seated  from  time  immemorial. 
Old  Captain  Harris,  a  noted  Delaware,  was  his  father.!  Teedyu.scung  was  a  tall,  raw- 
boned,  imperious  man.  From  his  eloquence  he  was  styled  the  War  Trumpet  of  the 
Delawares.  He  held  entire  control  over  his  people;  with  his  .scalping  knife  in  his  belt,  a 
single  war-whoop  would  call  his  braves  to  the  field,  and  start  them  on  the  war-path. 
Coming  under  the  influence  of  the  whites,  he  had  acquired  decided  love  of  strong  drink. 
Major  Parsons  tells  us  he  would  drink  three  quarts  of  rum  in  a  day  and  not  be  drunk. 
Soon  after  Bethlehem  was  settled,  he  came  under  the  influence  of  religious  impressions, 
and  desired  to  be  received  into  the  Christian  church.  The  brethren  had  not  confidence  in 
liim,  and  put  him  on  probation  ;  at  the  end  of  the  time  he  still  expressed  the  same  desire, 
and  he  was  accepted,  and  was  baptized  by  Bishop  Cammerhoff,  March  12,  1750.  The  tall 
child  of  the  forest,  at  fifty  >ears  of  age,  robed  in  snowy  whiteness,  kneeled  and   received 

»  History  of  Moravi.'in  Cliurch,  paRC  2;,;,.       t  History  of  Moravi.in  Church,  jianc  217. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


49 


the  sacred  rite  in  the  presence  of  those  Godly  people.  He  rose  from  his  knees  a  member 
of  the  church,  but,  like  many  others,  not  a  Christian.  The  atmosphere  was  soon  filled 
with  the  tales  of  Indian  warfare,  he  snuffed  the  breeze,  he  forgot  his  vows  on  bended 
knees,  went  to  Bethlehem,  and  by  his  eloquence  persuaded  quite  a  number  to  leave  their 
friends  and  prepare  for  battle.  Teedyuscung  had  seen  the  French  at  Niagara,  and  received 
rich  presents  in  clothing,  in  which  he  was  soon  to  appear  at  the  Ferry  Tavern  in  Easton. 
This  was  the  head  of  one  of  the  parties  soon  to  assemble  at  Vernon's  tavern.  At  the 
Point  all  was  bustle  and  hurry  and  excitement  with  the  hum  of  preparation.  The  meet- 
ing of  the  Council  had  been  arranged  for  July  24th.  A  week  before  the  Council,  the  town 
began  to  fill  up  with  Indians  from  the  West  and  North.  The  citizens  became  intensely 
alarmed.  They  tried  to  keep  liquor  away  from  them,  for,  if  they  could  keep  them  sober, 
they  might  be  free  from  danger;  if  they  should  get  drunk,  the  worst  consequences  might 
ensue.  The  Lieutenant-Governor  of  Pennsylvania  was  present,  and  four  commissioners, 
appointed  by  the  Assembly,  four  members  of  the  Governor's  Council,  besides  a  large 
number  of  distinguished  gentlemen  from  Philadelphia,  and  Colonel  Conrad  Weiser,  the 
Indian  agent,  with  forty  soldiers  from  Heidelberg,  Berks  county.  They  found  only  twenty- 
four  Indians  present.  The  Governor  and  State  oflRcers  appeared  in  great  style,  guarded  by 
soldiers  front  and  rear,  and  with  the  music  of  fife  and  drum  came  to  the  tavern  at  the 
Point.  Never  before  had  the  ferry  been  a  scene  of  such  excitement.  Vernon,  without 
doubt,  felt  the  importance  of  the  moment,  for  it  ivas  of  vast  importance.  The  question 
of  peace  was  to  be  the  theme  of  debate,  and  many  hoped  it  would  be  settled,  that  the 
Indians  would  be  at  peace,  and  leave  the  people  to  recover  from  the  effedls  of  the  recent 
murders.  But  the  number  of  Indians  was  so  small,  the  influence  upon  the  different  tribes 
would  be  limited,  were  reasons  which  influenced  all  parties  to  postpone  the  business  till 
fall.  The  time  for  the  second  meeting  was  set  for  November  8,  1756,  at  which  date  the 
treaty  powers  again  met  at  Vernon's  tavern,  at  the  ferry.  The  Indian  attendance  was 
large.  The  proprietaries  and  Teedyuscung  had  exerted  themselves  to  bring  representatives 
of  all  tribes  concerned.  Teedyuscung,  king  of  the  Delawares,  was  attended  by  sixteen 
of  his  nation,  four  Six  Nation  Indians,  two  Shawanese,  and  six  Mohicans.  Of  the 
English,  Governor  Denny,  William  Logan  and  Richard  Peters,  of  his  council;  Benjamin 
Franklin,  Joseph  Fox,  William  Masters  and  John  Hughes,  commissioners;  Colonel  Weiser, 
Major  Parsons,  Captain  Weatherholt,  Captain  Vanellen  and  Captain  Reynolds,  officers  of 
the  Provincial  forces.  These  were  the  contradling  parties.  *  The  sessions  continued  nine 
days.  The  military  were  well  represented.  The  Governor  and  Council  were  escorted  to 
and  from  their  lodgings,  by  the  military  in  such  pomp  as  to  inspire  the  Indians  with  awe  at 
the  power  with  which  they  were  dealing. 

Teedyuscung,  whose  hands  had  been  stained  with  the  blood  of  those  kind  hearted 
Christians  who  had  so  recently  sung  the  songs  of  joy  at  his  baptism,  was  there  puffed  up 
with  pride  as  he  appeared  wearing  a  fine  broad-cloth  coat,  a  present  from  the  French  at 
Niagara,  and  a  cocked  hat  purchased  in  Philadelphia,  trimmed  with  gold  lace;  he  was 
gazed  at  by  the  boys  of  Easton,  and  envied  by  his  people.  Many  people  from  other  coun- 
ties and  Philadelphia,  and  from  New  Jersey,  were  there.  Hundreds  of  people  stand  around 
the  old  Ferry-house  Tavern,  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  Governor.  At  length  the  shrill 
sound  of  the  fife  and  beating  of  the  drum  tell  the  approach  of  Governor  Denny.  He  is 
*  Colonial  Records,  Volume  VII,  page  313. 


50  THE  HISTORY  OF 

guarded  by  soldiers,  front,  flank  and  rear,  and  the  British  flag  waves  its  red  cross  over  his 
head.  The  people  at  the  Forks  had  never  witnessed  such  a  display.  And  never  had  such 
a  throng  gathered  at  the  Point.  The  happiest  among  the  company  is  Major  Parsons.  As  he 
so  proudly  keeps  step  with  the  music,  he  feels  now  that  peace  will  come  to  his  beloved 
town,  and  partly  relieve  him  of  his  harrassing  care.  He  had  lived  for  Easton,  it  will  now 
be  preserved,  and  he  will  not  have  lived  in  vain.  It  was  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
when  the  parties  were  to  enter  upon  the  business  which  was  uppermost  in  ever]*-  heart. 
The  parties  entered  the  old  tavern,  took  their  seats,  the  soldiers  were  placed  on  guard. 
King  Teedyuscung  opened  the  proceedings.  He  "stood  up  as  the  champion  of  his 
people,  fearlessly  demanding  restitution  of  their  lands,  or  an  equivalent  for  their  irrepara- 
ble loss,  and  in  addition  the  free  exercise  of  the  right  to  select,  within  the  territory-  in 
dispute,  a  permanent  home.  The  chieftain's  imposing  presence,  his  earnestness  of  appeal 
and  his  impassioned  oratory,  as  he  plead  the  cause  of  the  long  injured  Lenape,  evoked  the 
admiration  of  his  enemies  themselves.  He  always  spoke  in  the  euphonious  Delaware, 
employing  this  castilian  of  the  new  world  to  utter  the  simple  and  expressive  figures  and 
tropes  of  his  native  rhetoric,  although  he  was  conversant  with  the  white  man's  speech."* 
During  the  nine  days  of  the  negotiations,  the  business  had  been  conducted  with  the 
utmost  courtesy  and  plainness  of  speech.  No  one  can  read  the  proceedings  of  this  remark- 
able treaty!  without  feeling  that  Teedyuscung  gave  evidence  of  superior  endowments, 
that  compared  well  with  the  provincial  authorities.  He  told  his  grievance  plainly,  and 
when  the  Governor  desired  to  know  the  price  he  demanded,  he  would  not  set  a  price;  inas- 
much as  the  owners  of  the  land  were  not  present,  it  must  be  left  to  a  future  meeting.  As 
the  sessions  were  drawing  to  a  close,  a  gloom  was  cast  over  the  whole  scene  by  an 
announcement  of  the  Governor,  that  Capt.  Newcastle  had  just  died  of  small-pox.  Governor 
Denny  and  Teedyuscung  spoke  tenderh-  of  the  heroic  characfter  of  the  dead  embassador 
who  had  risked  his  life  in  carrying  the  message  that  resulted  in  the  treaty  of  peace.  The 
usual  good  wishes  and  mutual  desire  for  each  other's  happiness  was  the  prelude  for  part- 
ing, and  the  Point  resumed  its  usual  quiet. 

The  English  were  quite  willing  to  pay  for  the  land,  but  must  have  another  meeting 
the  following  summer.  In  1757,  another  treaty  was  held  at  Easton  to  detennine  the  ques- 
tion thus  left  open.  The  Council  opened  July  21,  and  closed  August  7,  1757,  making  a 
period  of  eighteen  days.  The  scene,  as  far  as  numbers  were  concerned,  was  far  more 
imposing  than  the  last  Council.  Of  the  English,  the  Governor,  William  Denny,  James 
Hamilton,  William  Logan,  Richard  Peters,  Lynford  Lardner,  Benjamin  Chew,  and  John 
Mifflin,  the  Governor's  Council;  Isaac  Norris,  Speaker  of  the  Assembly;  Daniel  Rober- 
deau,  member  of  the  Assembly;  William  Masters,  John  Hughes,  Joseph  Fox,  Joseph 
Gallaway,  Provincial  Commissioners;  a  number  of  gentlemen  from  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  others  from  the  Province;  Thomas  McKee,  interpreter  for  the  crown;  Conrad 
Weiser,  interpreter  for  the  Province,  and  John  Pumpshire,  interpreter  for  Teedyuscung, 
and  Charles  Thompson  his  clerk.  There  were  three  hundred  Indians  present,  represent- 
ing ten  Indian  nations;  and  later  in  the  sittings  of  the  treaty,  Pa.xinosa,  king  of  the 
Shawanese,  with  sixty  followers,  came.  Is  it  any  wonder  that  the  women  of  Easton  were 
fearful  when  so  large  a  body  of  savages  was  in  the  town,  with  rum  at  their  disposal  ? 
Teedyuscung  made  three  demands;  the  first  was  for  a  clerk  in  his  own  interest.  Tliis  tlie 
*  History  of  the  Moravian  Church,  page  224.     f  Colonial  Records,  VII,  page  213. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  51 

Governor  very  politely  refused,  but  the  Indian  sent  word  to  Gov.  Denny,  he  might  choose 
one  of  two  things,  either  allow  him  a  clerk,  or  abide  by  the  result,  as  he  would  break  up 
the  Council  and  go  home.  The  clerk  was  granted.  Another  demand  was  a  place  for  a 
home  for  his  people  in  Wyoming.  He  wished  definite  boundaries  fixed,  and  have  it  made 
unlawful  for  his  people  to  sell  it,  or  white  men  to  buy  it.  He  desired  the  English  to 
build  houses  for  him,  send  religious  teachers,  and  teachers  for  the  children  of  his  people. 
The  third  was  pay  for  the  Minisink  lands.  The  last  question  was  referred  to  the  King  of 
England.  The  business  of  the  Council  was  finished.  The  Delaware  king  took  two  belts, 
tied  them  in  a  knot  together;  he  took  hold  of  one  end,  and  the  Governor  the  other,  thus 
showing  the  bond  of  union  which  would  hereafter  bind  them  together.  After  the  Gov- 
ernor, Teedyuscung  and  Paxinosa  had  addressed  the  multitude,  a  great  dinner  was 
prepared  by  Mr.  Vernon.  More  than  three  hundred  sat  down  to  this  dinner.  What  a 
wonderful  scene  for  the  little  town!  The  white  man  at  the  same  table  with  the  Indians, 
who  had  so  recently  spread  consternation  and  death,  in  scalping  men,  women  and  children 
in  the  Minisinks!  The  soldiers  were  drawn  up  in  line  before  the  old  tavern,  and  fired 
three  rounds — it  was  a  "fire  of  joy."  In  the  evening  bonfires  lighted  the  air,  the 
Indians  engaged  in  their  wild  war  dances,  making  the  air  ring  with  the  savage  war 
whoop.  "Take  the  lock  off  the  rum  cask,  and  let  it  run,"  said  the  Delaware  king. 
In  the  free  libations  long  before  the  bonfires  ceased  to  burn,  overcome  by  the  fiery  draught, 
the  Indian  chiefs  forgot  the  sorrows  of  the  past,  the  joys  of  the  present,  or  the  anticipa- 
tions of  the  future.  It  was  a  night  of  revelry  and  wild  excitement.  The  quiet  of  morn- 
ing soon  returned,  the  ofi&cials  were  off  for  Philadelphia,  the  Indians  started  to  their 
hunting  grounds,  and  the  usual  quiet  reigned  around  the  tavern,  the  ferry  boats  went  on 
as  usual.  The  mothers  and  daughters  and  boys  of  Easton  talked  over  the  matters  in  their 
little  cabins;  all  danger  was  passed,  and  they  could  sleep  without  fear. 

There  were  questions  left  to  be  settled  by  a  future  council;  the  price  of  the  Minisink 
land  demanded  by  Teedyuscung  had  been  referred  to  the  English  king.  They  must  meet 
and  hear  the  answer  from  the  king.  Teedyuscung  had  made  a  very  serious  complaint 
against  New  Jersey,  saying  they  had  been  treated  ver\'  badly  in  regard  to  the  lands  in  the 
northern  part  of  New  Jersey,  and  he  wished  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  to  intercede 
with  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey  in  his  behalf,  and  this  was  matter  for  a  future  treaty. 
He  had  made  a  demand  for  a  home  in  Wyoming,  that  was  also  to  be  answered.  And  so 
another  council  must  meet  to  settle  these  questions  and  enlarge  the  number  of  Indian 
nations  in  league  against  the  French.  The  new  council  met  on  October  8th,  1758.  The 
people  had  become  accustomed  to  Indian  treaties,  feared  them  less  and  enjoyed  them  more. 
They  began  to  have  an  eye  to  business.  The  gatherings  brought  money  into  town,  and 
they  began  to  enjoy  them.  Vernon  was  as  busy  as  a  bee  in  preparing  for  the  august 
gathering.  The  hunters  were  out  after  game.  Anthony  Esser  was  gathering  in  his  sheep 
and  beeves.  The  good  German  ladies  were  cleaning  house  and  arranging  their  beds  for 
Philadelphia  visitors.  Each  was  ambitious  to  entertain  the  Governor.  But  as  his  excel- 
lency put  up  in  Mr.  Parsons'  house,  corner  of  Ferry  and  Fourth  streets,  last  year,  he  would 
very  likely  go  to  the  same  place  this  year.  William  Parsons  had  passed  away.  October 
8th  was  near  at  hand;  the  Indians  began  to  arrive.  Teedyuscung  comes,  wearing  his 
cocked  hat  and  military  coat,  trimmed  with  gold  lace.  He  who  had  seen  him  once  would 
never  need  to  inquire  after  his  name.     The  day  for  the  meeting  brought  a  large  concourse. 


52  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  and  stafiF  were  there  as  before;  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey 
and  his  staff  were  there.  The  hint  that  the  New  Jersey  people  had  wronged  the  Delawares 
brought  Governor  Bernard  to  the  front.  A  number  of  Magistrates  and  Freeholders  of 
this  and  the  neighboring  provinces,  and  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  were  present.  There 
were  twelve  Indian  nations  represented,  about  twenty  Indian  chiefs,  and  about  three 
hundred  in  number  of  men,  women  and  children.  The  conference  continued  from  the 
jth  to  the  25th  of  October.  The  main  objecft  of  the  Council  was  to  hold  their  influence 
over  these  widely  extended  nations  against  the  constant  efforts  of  the  French  emissaries, 
who  were  ever  busy  in  their  efforts  to  turn  the  hatchets  of  the  Indians  against  the  Eng- 
lish, and  thus  aid  them  in  the  mighty  task  they  had  undertaken.  There  were  other 
nations  present  at  this  Council  with  old  grudges  to  settle  up,  and  thus  remove  stumbling 
blocks  out  of  the  way  of  peace  and  friendship.  The  Governor  of  New  Jersey  inquired  of 
Teedyuscung  the  nature  of  his  demand.  The  northern  part  of  New  Jersey  contained 
lands  which  he  claimed.  A  line  drawn  from  the  Delaware  to  the  falls  of  the  north  branch 
of  the  Raritan  river  and  thence  to  Sandy  Hook  was  the  southern  boundary.  Governor 
Bernard  offered  eight  hundred  dollars  in  Spanish  coin.  Teedyuscung  demanded  one  thou- 
sand; it  was  granted,  and  the  cause  of  complaint  removed.  There  was  much  jealousy 
between  the  Iroquois  and  Teedyuscung,  which  bid  fair  at  one  time  to  be  a  serious  hin- 
drance to  peace,  but  it  was  all  smoothed  over.  Ever}-  day's  proceedings  showed  stronger 
signs  that  a  basis  of  solid  peace  and  friendship  would  be  reached.  The  Indians  said  the 
chain  was  growing  brighter.     The  Council  drew  to  a  close. 

A  ver}'  costly  array  of  presents  was  brought  from  Philadelphia  for  the  Indians.  The 
reader  may  form  some  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  presents,  when  he  hears  that  one  hujidrcd 
and  eighty-sei'en  ruffled  shirts  were  presented  among  the  many  fine  things  given  to  these 
children  of  the  woods.  Horses  were  granted  the  old  chiefs  to  ride  home  upon,  and  wagons 
to  carry  their  presents  to  their  canoes  in  the  Susquehanna  (winding  river).  The  end  of 
the  treaty  had  come.  Thomas  King,  an  Oneida  Indian,  had  said  many  things  for  the  Six, 
now  Eight  United  Nations.  This  was  the  last  address.  And  Thomas  King,  looking  round 
the  room,  spied  Mr.  Vernon,  and  said  to  him,  now  that  the  business  is  over,  you  may  take 
off  the  lock  from  the  rum  cask  and  let  it  run,  that  our  hearts  may  be  made  glad.  *  This 
Council  was  closed,  the  members  had  gone  to  their  homes.  Quiet  again  resumed  her  sway 
at  the  Point.  Here  is  a  historic  spot  made  beautiful  only  by  the  hills  which  encircle  it,  and 
the  embracing  of  these  rivers  as  they  go  murmuring  to  the  sea.  But  the  events  that  tran- 
spired here  constituted  an  important  facSlor  in  the  French  and  Indian  war.  This  little 
deserted  spot  was  one  of  the  most  important  battle  fields  of  that  war,  which  decided  the  pos- 
session of  a  continent.  It  was  not  a  battle  with  deadly  weapons,  but  a  battle  of  diplomacy. 
F'rom  the  beginning  of  the  war  the  French  made  untiring  efforts  to  influence  the  Indians 
throughout  the  States  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  Ohio,  to  turn  their  hatchet  against 
the  whites.  To  countera(5l  this  the  Council  fires  were  kindled  at  Easton,  and  kept  brightly 
burning,  till  at  the  last  Council  there  were  twelve  Indian  nations  represented,  and  nearly 
thirty  Indian  chiefs  entered  into  an  alliance,  offensive  and  defensive.  The>-  engaged  to 
attack  any  advancing  foe  and  help  defend  their  white  brethren.  This  spot  is  worthy  of 
tender  remembrance  by  the  people  of  Easton  for  the  important  part  it  has  p]a>ed  in  this  dark 
hour  of  our  colonial  history.  Quebec  fell  September  13,  1759,  and  virtualh- settled  the 
*  Colonial  Reconls,  Vol.  VIII,  page  223. 


Ill 


E AS  TON.    PENN'A.  53 

conflidt.  But  the  war  continued  on  the  ocean  mainly  till  1763 — September  loth — when  a 
treaty  of  peace  was  signed  at  Paris.  But  there  could  be  no  settled  peace  in  America  while 
those  great  nations  were  at  war.  So  another  great  Council  convened  at  Easton,  August 
5th,  1 761,  at  which  seven  additional  nations  of  Indians  from  beyond  the  lakes,  formerly  in 
the  French  interest,  but  lately  entered  into  alliance  with  us,  were  present.  There  were  near 
five  hundred  Indians  at  this  treaty,  and  the  seven  additional  nations  made  nineteen  nations, 
that  had  been  formed  in  treaty  combination  at  the  Council  fire  of  Easton.  The  prisoners 
had  not  been  returned  by  the  Indians.  The  encroachments  of  the  whites  on  Indian  lands 
gave  new  causes  of  complaints  which  required  the  constant  watch  on  the  part  of  the  govern- 
ment to  prevent  serious  trouble.  Teedyuscung  was  there  to  look  after  the  answer  from  the 
King  of  England,  it  had  come  to  hand,  but  was  in  the  hands  of  General  Sir  William  John.son, 
Indian  Agent.  These  were  the  principal  points  discussed  at  this  treaty  gathering.  There 
were  two  questions  which  could  not  be  settled  at  this  treaty,  viz:  the  surrender  of  the 
prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  and  the  closing  up  of  the  business  between  Teedy- 
uscung and  the  English  king.  Another  Council  therefore  convened,  at  which  these  mat- 
ters were  adjusted.  The  business  was  finished;  large  presents  were  made  to  the  Indians; 
horses  and  wagons  were  procured  to  carry  their  presents  and  their  sick  to  their  canoes  on 
the  Susquehanna;  a  general  hand-shaking;  mutual  good  wishes  were  imparted,  and  the 
last  Council  at  the  old  Ferry  tavern  closed.  The  officials  returned  to  Philadelphia,  and 
the  great  throng  of  these  dusky  children  of  the  woods  started  in  long  procession  for  their 
distant  forest  homes.  The  scenes  around  the  Point  assumed  their  ordinary  quiet. 
From  the  5th  to  the  12th  of  August,  1761,  the  town  was  in  a  ferment  of  excitement,  but 
all  apprehensions  of  danger  had  passed,  and  Easton  enjoyed  the  tumult.  Some  historians 
assert  that  there  was  another  Council  here  in  1762,  but  this  is  a  mistake.  The  questions 
left  unsettled  at  this  Council  were  finally  settled  at  a  Council  held  at  Lancaster,  August 
19th,  1762.  The  prisoners  were  all  delivered  up  to  the  entire  satisfacftion  of  the  authori- 
ties. Teedyuscung  acknowledged  he  was  entirely  mistaken  in  his  accusations  against  the 
proprietors.  "He  had  been  wrongly  informed  by  his  ancestors."  He  relinquished  all 
right  to  the  lands  in  the  Minisinks.  The  title  had  long  since  passed  from  them,  and  the 
documents  proved  it.  The  King  of  England  had  decided  that  whenever  the  Delaware 
king  should  make  above  acknowledgments  a  large  present  should  be  made  to  the  Dela- 
wares — a  present  of  four  hundred  pounds  in  milled  dollars,  and  an  equal  value  in  goods. 
Entire  satisfadlion  was  expressed  by  all  concerned,  and  the  whole  matter  was  settled. 
When  King  Teedyuscung  left  the  Point  in  1761,  he  left  it  never  to  return.  At  the  Coun- 
cil at  Lancaster  in  1762,  he  had  threatened  to  poison  the  representatives  of  the  Six  Nations, 
which  served  further  to  embitter  the  feelings  existing  between  them  and  the  Delaware 
king.  The  government  had  complied  with  his  request;  had  built  him  a  number  of  houses 
in  Wyoming  valley,  near  the  site  of  Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  retired.  In  1763,  while  in  a 
state  of  intoxication,  his  house  was  set  on  fire,  and  the  great  "war  trumpet"  of  the  Dela- 
wares  was  consumed  in  the  flames.  To  the  thoughtful  one  standing  by  and  gazing  upon 
the  crackling  flames  and  falling  timbers,  strange  thoughts  would  have  come.  There,  in 
that  burning  building,  lies  one  of  the  mightiest  of  the  children  of  nature.  There,  in 
that  heated  flame,  lies  the  savage  warrior,  the  shrewd  diplomatist,  the  natural  orator,  the 
leader  of  those  wild  nations.  He,  whom  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  acknowledged  to 
have  been  the  principal  agent  of  bringing  about  the  peace,  and  arresting  the  work  of 


54  THE  HISTORY  OF 

savage  warfare,  is  being  consumed  in  those  flames.  He,  who  had  compelled  the  Governors 
of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  and  the  King  of  England  to  obey  his  mandate,  lies  in 
this  burning  mass.  The  house  which  the  government  had  kindly  built  for  his  home, 
becomes  his  funeral  pile.  His  people  without  doubt  gathered  his  bones  from  the  ashes, 
and  in  silent,  savage  gloom,  gave  them  decent  burial.  He  suffered  the  same  death  that  he 
had  inflicted  upon  the  mother  hugging  her  tender  babe  to  her  breast  at  Gnadenhutten.  He 
often  mourned  that  the  joys  experienced  at  his  baptism  never  returned;  but,  from  the 
moment  he  took  up  the  hatchet  against  his  Moravian  friends,  at  Bethlehem,  his  religious 
peace  left  him  forever.  Teedyuscung  on  his  knees  in  snow^•  whiteness,  surrounded  by 
his  dear  Moravian  friends,  receiving  the  right  of  baptism  at  their  hands,  is  in  striking 
contrast  with  Teedyuscung  painted  for  war,  leading  his  maddened  warriors  to  battle,  his 
hands  stained  with  the  blood  of  innocent  women  and  children,  whose  scalps  hang  at  his 
belt.  Influenced  by  the  French,  irritated  by  the  walking  purchase,  won  by  the  offer  of  a 
crown  by  his  people,  he  led  on  his  warriors  in  their  bloody  pathway,  until  met  by  the  kind 
persuasions  of  New  Castle,  by  whose  kindly  influence  the  haught}-  Delaware  king  was 
brought  a  willing  captive  to  the  great  Council  fire  at  Easton.  In  these  Councils  this 
remarkable  chief  exhibited  powers  of  diplomacy  which  compared  well  with  those  of  the 
Governors  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey.  He  defended  his  rights,  and  obtained  redress 
from  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey.  When  the  answer  came  from  George  II  that  Teedyus- 
cung was  to  receive  four  hundred  pounds  upon  condition  that  he  would  acknowledge  he 
had  accused  the  officials  of  the  province  wrongly,  that  he  had  been  mistaken,  that  the 
money  would  be  given  as  a  present,  and  not  as  payment  for  lands  unfairly  taken  from  him, 
the  great  Delaware  king  showed  his  weakness,  acknowledged  he  was  wrong  in  all  his 
accusations  and  demands,  received  the  money  and  retired  from  active  histon,-.  But  the 
acknowledgment  of  the  Delaware  king  by  no  means  changes  the  opinion  of  mankind  in 
regard  to  the  encroachments  of  the  whites. 


TATAMY,  THE  DELAWARE  CHIEF. 


' '  Bid  raging  winds  their  furj-  cease, 
And  calm  the  savage  breast  to  peace." — C.  G.  .\i.len. 

Before  speaking  of  this  Chief  it  may  be  well  to  give  a  brief  account  of  the  Indians 
who  dwelt  in  Pennsylvania.  A  writer  in  the  Historical  Register  of  Pennsylvania,  Vol.  2, 
page  291,  begins  a  ver}*  interesting  article  on  the  Indians  of  America.  The  origin  of  these 
people  is  still  the  enigma  of  history.  After  the  research  of  four  hundred  years,  the  origin 
of  this  strange  people  is  enveloped  in  myster>-.  The  writer  above  alluded  to  adopts  the 
opinion  that  they  are  descended  from  the  Jews.  Count  Zinzendorf  *  takes  the  same  view, 
as  also  William  Penn.  The  latter  two  believe  them  descended  from  the  Lost  Ten  Tribes, 
while  the  writer  in  the  Register  draws  their  descent  directly  from  Shem  after  the  Deluge, 
maintaining  that  the  descendants  of  Shem  wandered  East  over  islands  and  oceans,  and 
•History  of  Moravnan  Church,  page  iS. 


I 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  55 

after  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty  years,  met  the  Children  of  Japhet  on  the 
Atlantic  coast.  All  of  the  three  are  confirmed  in  their  belief  by  similarity  in  color,  ph)-si- 
cal  strudlure,  manners  and  customs  and  traditions.  But  notwithstanding  the  darkness 
which  has  overshadowed  the  question  of  the  origin  of  the  Indians,  the  thinking  world  is 
adopting  the  view  which  is  expressed  by  the  writer  in  the  Historical  Register,  viz. :  that 
the  Indians  are  the  descendants  of  Shem.  That  as  Japhet  traveled  West,  Shem  went 
toward  the  rising  sun.  One  of  America's  acutest  statesmen  adopted  the  same  view  in  a 
speech  in  the  United  States  Senate,  July  29,  1852.*  "Even  the  discovery  of  this  conti- 
nent and  its  islands,  and  the  organization  of  society  and  government  upon  them,  grand 
and  important  as  these  events  have  been,  were  but  conditional,  preliminary,  and  cancellory 
to  the  more  sublime  result  now  in  the  adl  of  consummation.  The  reunion  of  the  two 
civilizations  which,  parting  on  the  plains  of  Asia  four  thousand  years  ago,  and  traveling 
ever  afterward  in  opposite  directions  around  the  world,  now  meet  again  on  the  coasts  and 
islands  of  the  Pacific  ocean.  Certainly  no  mere  human  event  of  equal  dignity  and  impor- 
tance has  ever  occurred  upon  the  earth.  It  will  be  followed  by  the  equalization  of  the 
condition  of  society  and  the  restoration  of  the  unity  of  the  human  family."  The  general 
principle  adopted  by  Mr.  Seward  is  the  constant  easterly  movement  of  the  Shemitish  and 
the  westerly  movement  of  the  Japhetic  tribes,  and  the  meeting  on  a  continent  divinely 
prepared  for  their  reception.  The  writer  in  the  Register  only  makes  the  Shemitish  tribes 
precursors  in  the  movement. 

The  Lenni  Lenape  is  the  name  of  the  Indians  who  inhabited  Pennsylvania,  New 
Jersey,  Delaware  and  Maryland.  This  name  signifies  Original  People.  They  gave  this 
as  their  name  to  the  first  imigrants.  It  is  supposed  that  they  at  a  very  early  period  had 
wandered  to  this  locality  from  the  West.  On  their  way  East,  at  the  Mississippi  river, 
they  came  in  conta<?t  with  a  tribe  apparently  descended  from  the  same  race,  called 
Mengwes.  The  interests  of  two  tribes  being  identical,  they  united,  and  formed  what  they 
called  a  "New  Union."  In  crossing  the  river  they  were  opposed  by  another  tribe,  also  of 
the  same  race,  large  in  size,  powerful  in  strength,  and  great  in  numbers.  These  were 
called  the  Alligewi.  Great  war  was  carried  on  by  these  opposing  tribes  for  a  considerable 
period.  Finally  the  Alligewi  were  beaten,  and  to  escape  extermination  they  fled  south. 
The  conquerors  then  divided  the  country  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  the  Mengwes  taking 
the  country  to  the  north,  which  adjoins  the  great  lakes,  and  the  Lenni  Lenape  the  country 
to  the  east,  which  adjoins  the  Atlantic  ocean.  The  Lenni  Lenape  consisted  of  three 
tribes — the  Unamies,  or  Turtle;  the  Wunalachtikos,  or  Turkey,  and  the  Minsi,  or  Wolf 
By  the  Europeans  these  three  tribes  were  called  Delawares.  The  Turtles  and  Turkeys 
possessed  the  country  along  the  ocean  from  the  Hudson  river  on  the  northeast  to  the 
Potomac  on  the  southwest,  and  the  Wolfs  occupied  the  country  round  about  the  Blue 
Mountains,  and  all  the  territorj'  lying  between  the  Delaware  and  Susquehanna  rivers.  Of 
these  Delaware  Indians  Tatamy  was  for  many  years  chief  He  was  born  in  New  Jersey, 
near  the  Delaware  river,  about  fifteen  miles  below  Phillipsburg.  In  his  youth  he  moved 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  by  constant  association  with  the  English  he  had  acquired  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  English  language.  He  thus  became  very  useful  to  the  English  gov- 
ernors as  an  interpreter  in  the  business  between  the  Indians  and  whites.  For  this  reason 
he  had  a  gift  of  three  hundred  acres  of  land  for  his  services,  f  His  house  was  near  where 
*  William  H.  Seward.         Historj-  Lehigh  \'alley,  page  50. 


56  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Stockertown  now  is,  where  he  lived  much  as  white  people  live,  and  carried  on  fanning. 
He  had  a  white  woman  for  a  wife,  and  had  two  sons  who  went  to  school  with  the  neigh- 
bors' children.  By  his  persuasive  powers,  and  his  native  eloquence,  he  controlled  the 
warlike  spirit  of  his  people.  He  was  ver>'  often  in  Easton,  as  his  home  was  only  a  small 
distance  away.  He  was  present  at  the  Treaties  at  Easton  as  an  interpreter  for  the  provin- 
cial authorities.  Count  Zinzendorf  visited  him  in  1742,  at  his  home;  he  says  Tatamy  was  a 
man  of  a  mild  disposition,  who  lived  much  as  white  people  do.  There  is  much  interest 
attached  to  the  chara<Sler  of  Tatamy,  inasmuch  as  he  was  a  convert  of  the  sainted  Brainerd, 
who,  in  1744,  in  December,  built  himself  a  hut  at  Sakhauwotung  (Lower  Mt.  Bethel). 
Here,  on  Sunday,  July  21,  1745,  he  baptized  Moses  Fonda  Tatamy,  who  had  been  adling 
interpreter  for  him  since  his  arrival  among  the  Forks  Indians.  *  He  was  well  known  in 
Easton  by  his  frequent  visits,  and  in  business  transa(ftions.  The  Delawares  had  been  con- 
quered by  the  Six  Nations,  and  reduced  to  the  condition  of  women,  that  is,  to  absolute  sub- 
mission. At  the  treaty  in  Philadelphia,  in  1742,  Teedyuscung,  a  rising  chief,  represented 
the  Delawares,  and  boldly  demanded  the  restitution  of  his  lands  wrongfully  taken  from 
his  people  by  the  Indian  walk.  Canassatego,  a  chief  of  the  Six  Nations,  was  there  also. 
When  Teedyuscung  had  made  his  demand,  the  spirited  Canassatego  rose  and  said  to  the 
Delaware  chief:  "Let  this  belt  serve  to  chastise  you,  you  ought  to  be  taken  by  the  hair 
of  the  head  and  shaken  severely  till  you  recover  your  senses,  and  become  sober.  You 
don't  know  what  ground  you  stand  on,  nor  what  you  are  doing.  This  land  that  you  claim 
has  gone  through  your  guts  long  ago.  We  conquered  you,  we  made  women  of  you.  You 
know  you  are  women  and  can  no  more  sell  land  than  women.  We  charge  you  to  remove 
instantly.  We  don't  give  you  liberty  to  think  about  it,  for  you  are  women."  This 
insulting  speech  stung  Teedyuscung  to  the  quick,  and  when  he  realized  that  the  provin- 
cial authorities  were  in  league  with  the  hated  Iriquois,  he  resolved  on  vengeance.  Brood- 
ing over  his  wrongs,  his  soul  was  set  on  fire;  he  spoke  with  the  force  and  pathos  of  an 
orator.  He  rose  to  the  position  of  chief  of  his  people,  and  the  kind-hearted  Tatamy  gave 
way  to  a  superior  mind.  Teedyuscung  adled  the  part  of  a  savage  demigogue,  but  he 
gained  his  point;  he  got  his  revenge.  He  was  made  king  of  the  western  Delawares  in  the 
spring  of  1756,  while  his  people  were  desolating  the  Minisinks  (Monroe  county)  with 
scalping  knife,  hatchet  and  torch.  The  Six  Nations  acknowledged  his  independence,  and 
sent  him  to  Philadelphia  to  conducfl  their  treaty  in  1762.  From  this  time  forth  Tatamy 
adled  a  subordinate  part.  He  acfted  as  a  messenger  for  Teedyuscung,  and  for  the  governor 
of  Pennsylvania.  As  far  as  history  shows,  he  never  took  up  the  hatchet  after  his  baptism. 
Some  writers  have  made  the  mistake  of  saying  that  Tatamy  was  shot  near  Bethlehem. 
But  it  was  a  son  by  the  name  of  William. f  He  was  shot  by  a  boy  fifteen  years  of  age. 
The  ball  passed  through  both  thighs.  The  poor  Indian  suffered  a  mouth,  and  was  attended 
by  Dr.  Otto.  Everytliing  was  done  which  kindness  could  suggest,  but  he  died  and  was 
buried  in  Bethlehem;  the  funeral  was  attended  by  about  two  hundred  Indians.  There 
was  great  fear  that  this  murder  might  disturb  the  peace  that  was  progressing  so  fa\orably. 
Teedyuscung  called  the  attention  of  the  governor  to  the  outrage  on  William  Tatamy,  and 
demanded  that  if  the  Indian  died  the  murderer  should  die  also.  The  gentle  and  eloquent 
father  .sat  in  the  audience.  The  governor  reminded  the  Indian  king  that  the  >  oung  man 
was  in  confinement,  and  promised  if  the  young  Indian  died  tlie  murderer  should  ])e  tried 
*  Moravian  History,  pa^e  27.       t  Moravian  Church,  page  334. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  57 

by  the  laws  of  our  country,  which  required  blood  for  blood,  and  the  king  might  send  a 
deputy  to  the  trial.  And  then  the  governor  turned  to  the  affli6led  chief  and  said:  "You 
are  the  father  of  the  young  man  who  has  been  unfortunately  wounded.  It  gives  us  great 
concern  that  anything  of  this  kind  should  happen.  We  have  employed  the  most  skilful 
doctor  that  is  among  us  to  take  care  of  him,  and  we  pray  that  the  Almighty  would  bless 
the  medicine  that  is  administered  for  his  care.  We,  by  this  string  of  wampum,  remove 
the  grief  from  your  heart,  and  desire  no  uneasiness  may  remain  there."*  The  afflicted 
chief  uttered  not  one  word  of  complaint,  but  smothered  his  grief,  and  with  Christian  resig- 
nation passed  along  in  the  busy  whirl  of  life.  He  was  present  at  the  treaty  in  Philadelphia 
in  1760,  after  which  his  name  disappears  from  history.  Teedyuscung  was  burnt  in  his 
own  house  in  Wyoming  in  1763.  And  no  one  can  read  this  brief  account  without  inquir- 
ing about  the  present  state  of  these  noble  Delawares.  Where  are  the  brave,  warlike  Lenni 
Lenape?  Driven  back  toward  the  setting  sun.  In  1789,  they  were  placed  on  a  reserva- 
tion in  the  state  of  Ohio.  But  what  is  a  reservation  to  the  Indians  when  white  men  want 
a  home  ?  It  could  not  be  reserved.  The  whites  came  swarming  all  around  them,  and 
they  must  go.  In  1818,  they  were  located  in  Missouri.  Their  home  was  precarious,  till 
in  1866,  they  accepted  lands  in  severalty  in  the  Indian  Territory.  They  then  gave  up 
their  tribal  relations,  and  settled  down  in  civilized  life.  And  now,  it  is  said,  they  are  at 
last  useful  and  prosperous  citizens  of  a  united  people,  numbering,  it  is  believed,  one  thou- 
sand. And  there  it  is  to  be  hoped,  after  retroceding  for  a  himdred  years  from  stream  to 
stream,  from  mountain  to  mountain,  toward  the  setting  sun,  they  will  be  permitted  to 
grow,  if  not  a  stronger,  a  more  submissive  and  more  honorable  people,  f  And  palsied  be 
the  arm  that  shall  be  raised  to  molest  them  in  the  peaceful  enjoyment  of  their  homes. 

Note. — On  page  74,  Vol.  IV,  Penn'a  Archives,  we  find  a  letter  from  Teedyuscung  to  Sir  William  Johnson, 
by  which  we  learn  that  Mr.  Johnson  had  written  to  Teedyuscung  two  years  before,  that  the  Delaware  king  had 
answered  the  letter,  which  answer  had  not  been  received  by  Mr.  Johnson.  The  Indian  king  received  another 
letter  from  Mr.  Johnson,  dated  March  ig,  1762,  which  letter  was  answered  by  arranging  for  a  meeting  at  Phila- 
delphia, in  May,  where  all  matters  would  finall}-  be  adjusted.  On  page  77  we  have  the  answer  of  Mr.  Johnson, 
saying,  "his  arrangements  were  such  that  he  could  not  be  at  Philadelphia  at  that  time,  but  would  meet  him  and 
all  concerned  at  Easton,  June  15,  1762."  On  page  78,  a  letter  from  Teedyuscung  accepts  Easton  as  the  place  of 
meeting,  and  only  those  concerned  in  the  land  would  come.  The  author  fails  to  find  any  statement  of  the  num- 
ber present,  or  business  done,  except  on  page  85,  same  vol.,  we  have  the  frank  acknowledgment  of  Teedyuscung 
that  he  was  entirely  mistaken  in  his  accusations  against  the  Proprietaries,  and  the  "charge  of  forgery  was  a  mis- 
take ;"  and  he  acknowledged  the  validity  of  the  sale  of  land  to  "old  William  Penn"  in  1686.  As  to  the  walk,  he 
still  claimed  it  was  unfairly  done,  but  it  was  an  opinion  about  which  they  could  differ  and  be  friends.  This  is 
probably  the  only  time  when  Sir  William  Johnson  was  present  at  Easton.  He  brought  documents  with  him 
that  satisfied  the  Delaware  king  that  the  purchase  of  i586  was  an  honorable  and  veritable  one,  for  which  they 
had  been  fairlv  and  honorabh' paid  by  "old  William  Penn."  The  controversy  was  ended.  Two  points  remained 
to  be  settled  at  the  great  Council  in  Lancaster  in  August,  1762,  viz.,  the  delivery  up  of  the  prisoners  to  the  white 
people,  and  the  presentation  of  the  money  from  the  English  king.  This  acknowledgment  on  the  part  of  Teedy- 
uscung entirely  removes  the  supposed  cause  of  complaint  against  the  Penns.  William  Penn  had  disposed  of  the 
Province  to  the  Crown  in  1712,  for  ^12,000,  and  received  ^,"1000  on  account.  He  was  stricken  with  paralysis, 
reduced  to  the  simplicity  of  a  child,  and  died  in  1718 — nearly  twenty  years  before  the  "walk."  For  twenty -five 
years  he  had  ceased  to  do  business,  so  that,  whatever  unfairness  may  be  alleged  in  the  "Indian  walk,"  no  wrong 
can  be  attributed  to  the  Penns. 


*  Moravian  History,  page  338.         t  Historical  Register,  page  299. 


58 


THE   HISTORY   OF 


THE  THIRD  STREET  GERMAN  REFORMED  CHURCH. 
Was  built  ill  the  year  1776;  Indian  Treaty  convened  in  1777.    The  Hon.  George  Taylor  was  appointed 
to  preside  at  this  Treaty,  and  Thomas  Paine  to  act  as  Secretary.     It  was  used  as  a  Hospital  for  the 
wounded  Soldiers  from  the  battle-fields  of  Brooklyn  and  Brandywine.     Were  visited  by  Washington 
while  quartered  here.     Re-modeled  and  enlarged  in  1832.     Re-modeled  in  1886. 


The  German  Reformed  Church. 


Edi(5t  of  Nantes— Persecution  of  the   Germans   in   Fatherland  — Flight  to  Pennsylvania— Congregation  in 
Easton— Log  Church— Building  of  the  Third  Street  Church  —  First  Repairs— Steeple  Built  —  Last  Ch auges  — 
Line  of  Pastors  —  Memorial  Windows  ;  by  Whom  Presented. 


N  the  year  1593,  Henry  IV,  of  France,  issued  the  Edidl  of  Nantes,  which 
gave  religious  liberty  to  the  Protestants.  For  this  he  was  assassinated 
by  Ravillac  in  1610.  Louis  XIV  revoked  this  Edidl  and  ordered  all  Protes- 
tants to  return  to  the  Catholic  Church.  The  Palatinate,  a  German  province 
that  had  been  torn  from  Germany  by  France,  contained  a  large  population 
of  German  Reformed  people.  They  left  the  country  and  all  they  had, 
except  their  liberty,  hymn  books,  catechisms,  and  bibles.  They  came  in 
large  numbers  to  Pennsylvania.  ' '  In  1609  Penn  sent  word  to  James  Logan 
the  coming  of  the  Palatines  (Germans)  and  charges  him  to  treat  them  with 
tenderness  and  care."*  This  kind  reception  by  the  Quakers  made  Penn- 
sylvania seem  a  Paradise  to  the  German  mind.  And  thus  we  find  these 
persecuted  people  coming  to  Easton  in  the  early  days.  In  giving  the  history  of  the 
churches  of  Easton  I  shall  classify  them  according  to  their  denominational  preferences. 
"Historians  tell  us  that  the  beginning  of  the  history  of  all  tribes  and  nations  is  enshrouded 
in  more  or  less  mist  and  obscurity.  Whether  this  is  true  as  a  general  fadl,  I  am  not  com- 
petent to  afifinn,  but  I  can  testify  after  much  labor  and  research,  that  the  beginning  of  the 
history  of  this  reformed  tribe  of  Israel  in  Easton  is  enveloped  in  mist  and  obscurity  so 
dense  that  it  is  utterly  impossible  to  discover  it."  (Extract  from  Dr.  Beck's  sermon,  July 
4,  1876.)  There  will  be  no  effort  to  make  farther  search  for  the  beginning,  but  to  record 
what  is  known,  and  bring  the  fadls  into  a  convenient  shape  for  the  future  generations  to 
read  at  their  family  homes.  The  German  Reformed  people  were  not  able  to  bring  minis- 
ters with  them,  but  did  bring  their  catechisms,  hymn  books  and  bibles,  and  pious  school 
teachers.  We  should  expedl  that  these  people  would  endeavor  to  make  early  provision 
for  a  place  of  religious  worship.  And  so  a  movement  was  made  in  1755  to  ere<5l  a  build- 
ing to  be  used  as  a  school  house,  and  also  to  be  used  as  a  church  for  any  Protestant 
minister.  This  was  successful,  and  in  1755,  a  log  building  was  erecfted  on  the  northeast 
comer  of,  what  is  now.  Church  and  Sitgreaves  streets,  and  was  used  for  both  church  and 
school  house.  This  is  the  first  building  erecfted  in  Easton  for  religious  purposes.  "And 
there  is  no  doubt  in  my  mind  that  in  this  log  building  erecfted  in  1755,  our  German  Re- 
formed forefathers  worshipped  after  the  faith  and  order  of  the  Reformed  Church.  I  have 
not  been  able  to  find,  in  all  the  records  and  histories  whicTi  I  have  been  able  to  consult, 
that  a  regular  Reformed  minister  of  the  gospel  was  located  in  Easton  before  1760;  but  I 
think  the  records  and  circumstances  will  warrant  us  to  speak  of  an  organized  congrega- 
tion as  existing  between  1745-50.  There  is  no  record  anywhere  of  the  place  and  date  of 
the  organization  of  a  congregation;  but,  nevertheless,  we  have  found  several  records,  a 
*  Historj'  of  Bucks  County,  page  59. 


6o  THE  HISTORY  OF 

few  well  authentic  fadls,  which  point  to  this  period  as  that  during  which  the  heretofore 
scattered  members  of  the  German  Reformed  Church  of  Easton  and  vicinity  were  organized 
into  a  church."  (Dr.  Deck.)  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  sent  to  this  country  by  the  Synods 
of  Holland,  for  the  purpose  of  looking  after  the  religious  interests  of  the  Gennan  Refonned 
people  in  Pennsvlvania,  in  appealing  to  the  Synod  for  help,  he  mentions  the  Forks  of 
the  Delaware  as  needing  their  sympathy.  Dr.  Beck  was  of  the  opinion  that  he  visited 
Easton  during  the  years  between  1747-50,  and  presented  the  church  with  a  Bible,  to  which 
Dr.  Beck  makes  a  very  tender  reference  in  his  sermon  of  July  4,  1876.  The  first  recorded 
baptism  took  place  in  1760,  September  28th.  The  child  was  a  son  of  Ludwig  Knauss  and 
Elizabeth,  his  wife.  He  received  the  name  of  Ludwig.  His  sponsors  were  Philip  Gress 
and  wife.  The  first  regular  pastor  of  this  church  was  Rev.  Dr.  Casper  Deitrich  Weyberg, 
who  took  charge  of  the  congregation  in  1763,  with  the  approval  of  the  Synod.  The  con- 
gregation not  having  a  place  of  worship,  held  services  in  the  log  church,  and  in  the  conntn' 
in  barns,  or  wherever  he  coiild  find  shelter  for  a  congregation.  The  ministn,'  of  Dr.  Wey- 
berg was  but  of  six  months  duration.  A  vacancy  continued  till  1766,  when  Rev.  Frederick 
L.  Henop  became  pastor.  The  first  mention  of  a  consistory  is  made  by  this  pastor,  and 
the  names  given  are  Elders  Ludwig  Knauss  and  Philip  Odenwelder.  Deacons,  John 
Gettert  and  Henry  Schneider.  Rev.  Mr.  Henop  resigned  his  ofiice  in  1769,  after  a  pastor- 
ate of  three  years  and  eight  months.  Rev.  Pithon  was  the  next  pastor,  succeeding  Mr. 
Henop  in  1769,  and  was  compelled  to  resign  in  1771;  and  a  vacancy  continued  until  1776. 
It  was  during  this  vacancy  that  the  congregation  began  to  take  measures  for  the  erecflion 
of  a  church.  There  had  been  a  large  stone,  two-story  house,  built  by  the  Moravians,  on 
what  is  now  South  Third  street.  This  had  been  bought  by  the  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Church,  and  used  as  a  parsonage  in  the  upper  story  and  a  church  in  the  lower  storj-.  Both 
of  these  congregations  joined  and  built  the  church  on  North  Third  street,  now  known  as 
the  old  German  Reformed  Church,  completed  in  1776,  and  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the 
Triune  God,  November  17th,  of  that  year.  All  other  churches  feel  a  deep  interest  in  this 
grand  old  church,  built  by  such  self-denial  in  those  early  days.  The  laud  upon  which  it 
stands  was  a  gift  from  John  and  Richard  Penn  to  Peter  Snyder,  Nicolas  Troxell,  and 
Nicolas  Kern,  Trustees  for  the  German  Reformed  congregation;  and  Jacob  Weygandt, 
William  Roup  and  Conrad  Bitteubender,  Trustees  for  the  Lutheran  congregation.  In  1777 
Hons.  George  Taylor  and  George  Walton,  Commissioners,  were  appointed  by  Congress, 
to  be  present  and  preside  at  a  treaty  to  be  made  with  the  Indians.  And  they  reported  to 
Congress,  "After  shaking  hands,  drinking  nun,  while  the  organ  played,  we  proceeded  to 
business."  In  Vol.  XI  of  Colonial  Records,  page  98,  we  find  the  following:  Krso/zrd, 
That  Mr.  Thomas  Paine  be  appointed  secretary  to  the  Commissioners  for  the  Indian  Treaty 
to  be  held  at  Easton,  on  Monday  next.  This  vote  was  passed  at  a  meeting  of  the  Council 
of  Safety  in  Philadelphia,  January  21,  1777.  It  was  twenty  years  since  the  exciting 
Treaties  at  the  Point.  Vernon  had  gcnie  West.  Large  hotels  had  been  built.  The  Third 
Street  Church  had  just  been  built,  and  was  the  largest  building  in  Easton.  And  the  sacred 
edifice  is  opened  to  receive  the  Commissioners  thus  appointed  by  the  government.  The 
effort  of  the  former  Treaties  was  to  prevent  the  French  obtaining  control  of  the  Indians, 
and  turning  their  scalping  knives  against  the  English.  The  effort  of  the  Treaty  at  the 
German  Reformed  Church  was  to  detach  the  Indians  from  the  English  government,  and 
prevent  the  officers  of  the  crown  turning  the  hatchets  of  the  Indians  against  the  Colonies. 


J 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  6i 

That  the  Treaty  was  not  very  successful  is  evident  from  the  faA  that  Sullivan's  expedition 
would  have  been  sent  among  the  savages  the  next  year,  but  for  the  want  of  time  to  accom- 
plish the  work  before  winter.  And  during  the  Revolution  this  building  was  frequently 
used  as  a  hospital,  the  people  willingly  lending  the  sacred  edifice  for  the  comfort  of 
wounded  and  dying  soldiers.  So  that  these  floors  have  been  consecrated  with  the  blood 
of  patriots,  and  these  walls  have  echoed  to  the  wails  of  dying  heroes;  and  thus  this  old 
church  has  adled  well  her  part  in  obtaining  those  liberties  which  we  prize  so  dearly.  Long 
may  the  old  building  stand  as  a  glorious  monument  of  "the  times  that  tried  men's  souls." 
After  the  dedication  of  the  church.  Rev.  John  William  Ingold  became  pastor.  In  1786, 
Rev.  Dr.  Lebrecht  Frederick  Herman  became  pastor  of  this  church,  with  Plainfield,  Dry- 
land, and  Greenwich.  He  was  esteemed  as  a  man  of  culture  and  ability.  In  1793,  Dr. 
Herman  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Christian  Becker.  He  was  a  man  of  extraor- 
dinary power  and  eloquence.  He  remained  but  one  year  and  a  half,  and  was  followed  b>- 
Rev.  Thomas  Nicolas  Pomp,  the  only  son  of  Rev.  Nicolas  Pomp,  who  was  one  of  four 
missionaries  sent  to  this  countr>'  by  the  Reformed  Church  of  Holland.  He  took  charo-e 
of  the  church  in  1796,  and  remained  acilive  pastor  for  more  than  fifty  years,  with  entire 
acceptance  to  the  people  of  his  charge.  At  a  congregational  meeting  held  in  1832,  Janu- 
ary 2d,  Peter  Shnyder,  Philip  Odenwelder,  and  Daniel  Butz,  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  whom  was  entrusted  the  whole  matter  of  reconstru<fting  the  church.  The  main  walls 
were  not  disturbed ;  an  addition  was  built  on  the  north  end  of  the  church,  and  the  steeple 
ere6led,  and  the  building  assumed  its  present  appearance.  The  expense  of  reconstrucftion 
was  about  $25,000.  The  German  language  was  used  exclusively  by  the  church  till  1831, 
when  the  church  employed  an  English  assistant  to  Father  Pomp,  and  the  English  language 
became  incorporated  in  the  service  in  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Dr.  Bernard  C.  Wolf  Father 
Pomp  died  April  22,  1852.  When  he  withdrew  from  the  a6live  pastorate  Rev.  Bomberger 
became  pastor  in  the  German  language,  and  was  followed  in  1854  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  Beck. 
By  the  death  of  the  older  members  of  the  church,  and  the  prevalence  of  the  English  lan- 
guage in  the  community,  the  need  of  the  German  became  less  and  less,  and  in  the  fall  of 
187 1  it  ceased  to  be  used,  and  the  English  has  since  been  the  language  of  the  Reformed 
Church  on  North  Third  street.  Rev.  Dr.  John  Beck  remained  in  charge  of  the  church 
till  April  19th,  1877.  He  had  resigned  liis  charge,  but  died  before  the  time  at  which  the 
resignation  should  take  place.  Dr.  Beck  was  a  man  of  quiet,  studious  habits.  Although 
he  held  tenaciously  to  his  opinions,  he  was  not  of  an  aggressive  charadler,  and  he  is  mainly 
remembered  for  his  scholarly  sermons,  and  his  pleasant,  affable  manners.  After  the  death 
of  Dr.  Beck,  Rev.  Dr.  T.  C.  Porter  of  Lafayette  College,  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacant 
pulpit,  and  was  installed  on  the  29th  of  August,  1877.  After  seven  years  of  faithful  toil 
and  successful  work  he  lays  aside  the  burdens  of  his  office  and  again  gives  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  his  duties  in  the  college.  In  the  closing  sermon  of  Dr.  Porter,  he  remarked  that 
the  first  sermon  he  ever  preached  in  the  church  was  nearly  twenty-three  years  ago.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  great  civil  war  President  Lincoln  appointed  September  26,  1861, 
a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  The  Synod  of  the  German  Reformed  Church  was  in  session 
in  this  church  at  the  time,  and  Dr.  Porter  was  invited  to  preach  the  sermon,  which  lie  did 
to  a  crowded  house.  The  topic  was  the  repenting  of  Nineveh  at  the  preaching  of  Jonas. 
He  came  to  Easton,  as  professor  in  Lafayette  College  in  1866,  and  on  the  invitation  of  the 
Consistory,  preached  in  the  English  language  every  alternate  Sunday  morning,   in  the 


62  THE  HISTORY  OF 

ledlure  room  for  a  period  of  three  years — 1867-8-9,  while  Dr.  Beck  preached  in  the  church 
in  the  German  language.     Dr.  Porter  is  a  fine  scholar,  and  a  faithful  preacher. 

Rev.  H.  M.  Kieffer  succeeded  Dr.  Porter  as  pastor.  He  had  beeu  pastor  of  the  Church 
of  Ascension,  of  Norristown,  and  was  called  August  nth,  1884,  by  a  committee  of  East 
Pennsylvania  Classis,  consisting  of  Rev.  Dr.  Porter,  Rev.  T.  O.  Sterm  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Heisler.  The  latter  preached  the  installation  sermon.  He  was  installed  October  30th, 
and  preached  his  introductory  sermon  the  following  Sunday  morning,  November  2d.  Text 
Phil.  I,  ii,  "Grace  be  unto  you  from  God,  our  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

In  the  early  part  of  the  following  year  preparations  were  made  for  repairing  the  church 
building,  which  had  stood  without  material  change  or  improvement  since  1832.  The 
congregation  felt  a  desire  to  make  extensive  repairs,  and  yet  not  destroy  the  ancient  and 
venerable  appearance  of  the  oldest  church  in  the  borough.  The  people  entered  heartily 
into  the  work  and  appointed  a  committee  to  make  whatever  alterations,  improvements 
and  repairs  they  thought  necessar}'.  In  carrying  out  their  instrudlions  the  Committee 
secured  the  services  of  John  M.  Stewart,  an  Easton  architect,  to  prepare  plans  for  the  re- 
modeling of  the  building.  To  this  Committee  too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  for  their 
untiring  attention  and  labors  throughout  the  whole  period  of  the  reconstnittion  of  the 
building.  To  their  wisdom  and  judgment  must  be  attributed  the  superior  comfort  and 
beautiful  appearance  the  church  now  presents.  The  archite(?l  in  making  his  plans  for  the 
alterations  endeavored  to  retain  the  principal  features  of  the  old  colonial  style  of  archi- 
tedlure  displayed  in  the  old  building,  and  conform  as  nearly  as  possible  to  it  in  all  altera- 
tions and  additions,  and  that  fadl  gives  the  church  a  peculiar  and  distinctive  appearance, 
which  is  at  once  pleasing  and  attradlive.  An  enclosed  porch,  approached  with  stone  steps 
and  tiled  floor  forms  a  lobby  at  the  vestibule,  which  is  now  made  a  very  commodious  and 
imposing  one.  Two  handsome  stairways  lead  to  the  galleries,  and  three  doors  lead  from 
the  vestibule  to  the  audience  room,  which  has  been  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  a  pulpit 
recess,  which  in  its  decoration  forms  one  of  the  handsomest  features  of  the  church.  The 
old  pulpit  has  given  place  to  a  beautiful  chancel  railing,  pulpit,  desk,  altar,  baptismal  fount 
and  candelabrums.  The  chairs  are  of  cherry,  beautiful  in  design,  and  richly  carved.  The 
old  pews  enclosed  with  doors  give  place  to  well  arranged  and  exceedingly  comfortable 
pews  of  cherr}'.  The  galleries,  which  were  usually  almost  inaccessible  and  useless,  have 
been  entirely  re-arranged  so  that  they  are  easily  reached  and  more  desirable  for  sittings. 
The  old  wooden  columns  supporting  the  galleries,  which  obstni(5led  the  view,  have  been 
removed  and  iron  pillars,  handsomely  finished,  substituted.  The  walls  and  ceilings  have 
been  frescoed  in  the  most  artistic  manner  ;  the  upper  windows  have  been  filled  with  stained 
glass,  while  those  in  the  audience  room,  nine  in  number,  are  memorial  windows,  contrib- 
uted by  the  following  persons,  and  are  in  the  following  order,  beginning  on  Third  street, 
going  north  :  The  first  by  Miss  Mary  Mixsell  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Major  Wykoff,  in  the 
memory  of  their  father  and  mother,  Charles  W.  and  Mar}-  K.  Mixsell  ;  the  second  by 
Mrs.  Win.  H.  Lawall  and  Miss  Lillian  Lawall,  her  daughter,  in  the  memory  of  William 
H.  Lawall  ;  the  third  by  Mrs.  Charles  Santee,  of  Philadelphia,  to  the  memorv-  of  her 
father  and  mother,  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Shnyder  ;  the  fourth  by  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Eyennan, 
to  the  memory  of  her  father  and  mother,  James  and  Mar)-  Black  ;  the  fifth  by  ]\Irs.  Mary 
Saylor,  of  Germantown,  Pa.,  in  the  memory  of  her  father,  the  late  Judge  George  Hess  ; 
the  sixth  and  seventh  b)-  ])rivate  persons  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Thos.  Pomp  and  the 


I 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


63 


Rev.  Dr.  Bernard  Wolff,  former  pastors  of  the  church  ;  the  eighth  by  the  Sunday  Schools 
of  the  congregation  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  John  Beck,  D.  D. ,  also  a  former  pastor  of 
the  church,  and  the  ninth  by  Mrs.  John  Hutchinson,  to  the  memory  of  her  mother,  Eliz- 
abeth Nicholas,  and  her  family.  All  are  most  beautiful  specimens  of  the  decorator's  art, 
and  add  greatly  to  the  appearance  of  the  church.  Gas  fixtures,  upholstering,  carpets,  etc., 
have  been  arranged  in  a  superior  manner.  The  whole  cost  of  the  improvements  was 
nearly  $12,000.  Prior  to  the  repairs  the  outer  walls  were  of  a  pale  yellow  color.  The 
steeple  was  painted  white  and  had  on  it  the  dial  of  the  town  clock,  which  had  been  remov- 
ed to  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  The  main  entrance  to  the  building  was  by  a  door  on 
Third  street,  where  the  vestibule  now  is.  There  was  also  another  door  on  Third  street, 
occupying  the  position  of  the  upper  window,  next  Church  street.  It  was  not,  stridlly 
speaking,  a  door,  but  served  the  purpose  of  both  door  and  window.  It  has  been  converted 
into  a  window.  The  entrance  on  the  east  side  was  the  same  as  it  now  is.  Internally  the 
changes  are  more  marked.  Passing  into  the  church  as  it  was  before  the  repairs,  as  one 
enters  the  vestibule,  he  found  two  box  stairways  leading  to  the  galleries — the  ceiling  low 
and  somewhat  cramped  in  appearance,  by  the  projection  of  old  "  bellows  gallery,"  used  in 
former  times  for  the  organ,  but  since  fallen  into  disuse  except  as  a  lumber  room.  Where 
the  two  large  arches  now  are  two  doors  of  ordinary  size  opened  into  the  central  part  of  the 
vestibule.  In  the  audience  room  there  were  six  rows  of  pews,  instead  of  four  as  at  present, 
with  three  aisles  separating  them — the  central  aisle  being  where  it  now  is,  and  the  side 
aisles  not  being  along  the  walls,  but  separated  from  them  by  a  row  or  tier  of  short  pews. 
The  old  pews  were  indeed  all  short,  containing  only  three,  or  at  most  four  sittings,  and 
being  generally  considered  very  uncomfortable.  They  were  low  in  the  back,  narrow  in  the 
seat,  very  close  together,  and  were  furnished  with  doors.  The  pulpit  was  a  massive  struc- 
ture of  mahogany,  and  there  was  no  recess,  chancel,  rail  or  front.  The  windows  were  of 
ordinary  glass,  and  furnished  with  Venetian  blinds.  The  posts  under  the  galleries  were 
heavy  wooden  affairs  which  somewhat  obstructed  the  view.  These  fa<fls  have  thus  been 
presented  as  they  may  be  of  interest  in  the  future.  New  spouting  has  been  put  up.  It  is 
of  great  interest  to  observe  that  the  old  spouting  had  done  service  since  1832,  that  is  for  a 
period  of  fifty-three  years,  and  that  Mr.  Lewis  Heller,  when  he  was  a  young  man  made  the 
old  spouting,  and  had  the  singular  fortune  when  he  was  an  old  man,  to  help  make  the  new.  * 
The  committee  having  the  matter  in  charge  consisted  of 

Rev.   H.   M.   KIEFFER,  Pastor. 
JACOB  RADER,  ^ 

WILLIAM   KELLER,    ^-Elders. 
HENRY  YOUNG,  i 

WILLIAM  THOMSON, 
THOS.  RINEK, 
HORACE  BACHMAN. 

The  work  of  this  Church  in  Easton  has  been  the  building  of  two  churches  of  the  same 
faith  and  order — the  one  on  the  comer  of  Tenth  and  Lehigh  streets,  and  the  other  on 
College  Hill.  -It  was  by  the  labors  of  Dr.  Beck  that  St.  Mark's  Church  was  eredled,  he 
having  been  very  adlive  in  securing  the  necessary  funds. 

*By  Rev.  H.  M.  KiefFer. 


64  THE  HISTORY  OF 

ST.  MARK'S  CHURCH. 

This  building  is  46x72  feet,  built  of  brick,  with  main  audience  room,  and  a  base- 
ment for  Sunday  School  and  weekly  lectures.  It  was  erecfted  in  the  years  1871-72,  by  the 
Third  Street  Reformed  Church  at  a  cost  of  $16,000,  and  conveyed  to  St.  Mark's  Refonned 
Congregation  in  May,  1875,  subject  to  a  mortgage  of  $3500.  The  congregation  was 
organized  July  27th,  1872,  and  incorporated  May  6th,  1873,  with  eleven  members.  From 
the  time  of  the  organization  until  the  calling  of  a  regular  pastor — a  period  of  nine  months — 
the  congregation  was  served  by  Rev.  Dr.  Porter.  The  first  regular  pastor.  Rev.  Geo.  H. 
Johnston,  formerly  of  Somerset,  Pa.,  commenced  his  labors  April  11,  1S73,  and  continued 
until  December  ist,  1875,  a  period  of  two  years  and  eight  months.  He  then  resigned  to 
take  charge  of  the  Green  Street  Christ  Refonned  Church,  Philadelphia.  From  this  time 
until  August  1st,  1876,  the  congregation  was  without  a  pastor.  At  this  time  the  present  pas- 
tor. Rev.  T.  O.  Stem,  commenced  his  labors.  His  pastorate  has  now  continued  nine  years, 
and  during  this  time  he  has  received  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  members,  and  the  number 
on  the  roll  now  is  three  hundred  and  twenty.  The  Sabbath-school  numbers  three  hundred 
and  fifty.  The  church  is  prosperous  and  harmonious,  and  the  congregation  is  engaged  in 
making  arrangements  for  building  a  parsonage  at  a  cost  of  $3000. 

This  church  was  closed  for  repairs  July  13,  1884,  the  walls  handsomely  frescoed  and 
other  necessary  changes  made.  It  was  re-opened  for  divine  service  September  7th,  and 
was  re-dedicated  on  the  last  mentioned  date  with  appropriate  services,  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
G.  Wagner,  of  Allentown,  preaching  the  sermon.  Rev.  Dr.  Heisler  addressed  the  Sabbath 
School  in  the  afternoon. 


GRACE  REFORMED  CHURCH. 

This  Church  was  organized  September  9th,  1875.  On  that  day  persons  belong- 
ing to  the  Reformed  Church  met  at  the  house  of  John  Gradwohl,  in  the  Third  Ward. 
The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Rev.  John  Beck,  D.  D.,  and  opened  with  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  George  H.  Johnston,  of  St.  Mark's  Church.  Dr.  Beck  stated  the  object 
of  the  meeting,  which  was  to  organize  a  church.  This  was  effe(5led  by  the  ele(5lion  of 
the  following  persons  as  temporary  officers  :  John  Gradwohl,  Quintus  F.  Messinger  and 
Richard  Hahn,  Elders  ;  and  William  Adams,  Thomas  F.  Burley  and  Theodore  Schug, 
Deacons.  They  were  immediately  ordained  and  installed.  At  the  same  meeting  arrange- 
ments were  made  to  ere<?t  a  chapel  on  the  corner  of  New  and  Porter  streets.  A  building 
committee  consisting  of  John  Gradwohl,  Lorenzo  Richlieu  and  Quintus  F.  Messinger  was 
appointed.  A  neat,  frame  building,  30x45  was  eredled.  The  congregation  then  numbered 
about  forty  members.  The  chapel  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Triune  God,  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1876.  On  the  20th  of  March,  1876,  Rev.  Dr.  Heisler  received  the  unanimous 
call  to  become  pastor  of  the  church,  and  entered  upon  the  pastoral  duties  June  ist,  follow- 
ing. The  church  now  (1886)  numbers  over  100  members,  and  is  free  from  debt.  A  Sun- 
day School  of  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  pupils  is  in  conne(ftion  with  the  church. 
Much  of  the  financial  success  of  the  enterprise  is  due  to  the  generosity  of  members  of 
the  Third  Street  Refonned  Church,  and  the  efforts  of  Rev.  T.  C.  Porter,  D.  D.,  all  of 
whom  deserve  the  lasting  gratitude  of  the  congregation. 


THE  COURT  HOUSES, 


The  First  Courts ;  Held  at  Hotels  —  A&.  to  Build  a  Court  House  —  Its  Location  —  Reasons  for  Seledling  Easton 

Style  of  Architeifture  ;  When  Built;  Its  Cost;  When  Torn  Down  —  Description  of  the  Square — The  Pillory 
and  Whipping  Post  —  Pigs,  Sheep  and  Cows;  The  Milking  of  the  Cows  —  The  New  Court  House;  Reasons 
for  a  New  One ;  When  and  Where  Built ;  "The  House  that  Houck  Built." 


^IHE  ACT  by  which  Northampton  County  was  formed  was  passed  March 
6th,  1752,  and  received  the  signature  of  Governor  Hamilton  on  the  nth 
day  of  the  same  month.  One  of  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  petitioners 
for  a  new  county  was  that  the  people  were  so  remote  from  the  seat  of  jtis- 
tice  that  it  was  difficult  for  them  to  obtain  their  rights,  and  rogues  took 
advantage  in  doing  mischief  with  impunity.  So  the  next  step  was  to 
establish  courts.  The  first  court  was  held  on  the  i6th  of  June,  1752,  and 
in  the  session  book  we  find  this  record  :  "  At  a  Court  of  Record  of  our 
Lord,  the  King,  held  at  Easton,  for  the  County  of  Northampton,  the  i6th 
day  of  June,  in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  George  the 
Second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland, 
&c..  Anno  Domini  1752,  before  Thomas  Craig,  Timothy  Horsefield,  Hugh  Wilson,  James 
Martin  and  William  Craig,  justices  of  the  Lord,  the  King,  the  peace  in  the  said  county  to 
keep,  as  also  divers  trespassers  and  felons,  and  other  offences  in  said  county  committed,  to 
hear  and  determine,  assigned.  (By  commissions  dated  the  7th  of  June,  instant.)"  This 
was  the  starting  point  for  the  courts  of  our  county.  The  court  thus  organized  was  com- 
pelled to  hold  their  sessions  in  hotels,  because  they  had  no  court  house  in  which  to  meet. 
The  courts  thus  assembled  at  the  hotels  till  1766.  An  Act  had  been  passed  February  17, 
1763,  and  may  be  found  in  Vol.  V,  page  247,  of  the  votes  of  Assembly  to  build  a  Court 
House.  During  these  years  the  question  of  the  location  of  the  temple  of  justice  was  a 
matter  of  serious  debate.  It  was  the  intention  of  the  Penns  to  have  Easton  the  Shiretown 
and  yet  there  was  a  great  deal  of  opposition  by  those  living  remote  from  the  proposed  lo- 
cation. George  Taylor  had  been  appointed  one  of  the  trustees  to  attend  to  the  building  of 
the  Court  House,  and  had  removed  to  Easton  in  1764  to  perform  those  duties.  The  ques- 
tion of  location  was  now  to  be  settled.  A  petition,  very  numerously  signed,  was  presented 
to  the  Assembly  May  15,  1765,*  praying  that  the  work  might  be  arrested,  the  law 
repealed,  and  the  building  eredled  in  a  more  central  position.  The  petitioners  gave  the 
reason  for  their  petition  that  the  town  of  Easton  was  in  the  extreme  southeast  corner  of 
the  county,  and  it  should  be  in  a  more  central  position  ;  and,  also,  that  Easton  was  inac- 
cessible, there  being  no  roads,  and  being  surrounded  by  high  hills,  so  high  that  people 
approached  it  only  at  the  risk  of  life  and  limb.  The  Assembly  received  the  petition, 
considered  it  respectfully,  but  the  law  previously  ena<5led  was  re-affirmed  and  the  building 
was  eredled  in  Easton.  From  June  i6th,  1752,  to  March  6th,  1766,  the  courts  were  held 
in  the  various  hotels.  The  rents  paid  were  from  three  to  seven  pounds,  including  wood 
and  candles.  The  sessions  would  not  last  more  than  two  or  three  days  the  first  few  years, 
*History  of  Northampton  County,  page  150. 


66 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


but  as  business  increased,  four  days  would  be  consumed.  Great  formality  was  used  by 
the  justices  at  these  court  gatherings.  It  was  the  custom  to  escort  them  from  their  homes 
or  lodgings  with  constables  in  front  and  rear,  while  the  heads  of  the  justices  were  graced 
with  three-cornered  cocked  hats.  The  common  people  gazed  at  them  with  amazement. 
The  staves  of  the  constables  were  beautifully  painted,  and  a  bill  was  paid  the  United 
Brethren  for  painting  these  emblems  of  official  power,  the  amount  being  $25.  The  Court 
House  was  finished  at  a  cost  of  $4,589.67,  and  was  built  after  a  model  of  Carpenter  Hall,  in 
Philadelphia.      It  was  quite  an  imposing  strudlure  for  those  days,  and  was  a  source  of 


ROM    A    I'HDTdCKAl'H    BV 


pride  to  the  borough  and  county.  It  was  built  of  limestone,  and  surmounted  by  a  cupola, 
in  which  a  bell  was  placed  which  had  been  cast  at  Bethlehem.  South  of  the  Court  House, 
just  in  the  entrance  of  Third  street,  stood  the  Pillory  and  Whipping-post,  those  ancient 
instruments  of  punishment.  This  mode  of  punishment  was  common  in  the  days  and  ex- 
perience of  the  great  apo.stle,  "five  times  received  I  forty  stripes,  save  one,"  and  with 
Silas  was  he  pilloried  in  Philipi.  And  here  we  see  in  a  remote  town,  in  a  land  of  which 
Paul  never  heard,  tlie  same  humiliating  instruments  stand  clo.se  by  the  jail,  nearly  two 
thou.sand  years  after  those  dark  days.  For  twenty-four  years  this  beautiful  spot  was  dis- 
figured by  the  relic  of  an  ancient  civilization,  and  during  those  long  years  many  had  suf- 
fered the  dread  inflidlion  of  the  lash.     Among  tho.se  who  received  nineteen  stripes,  well 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  67 

laid  on  the  naked  back,  was  one  Mary  Nickum,  who  had  stolen  linen  to  the  value  of 
twenty-six  shillings  and  ten  pence,  and  for  this  small  sum  she  must  have  "  her  naked 
back  exposed  to  the  gaping  crowd,"  who  hear  the  strange  sound  as  the  lash  performs  its 
painful  task.  It  would  be  very  painful  to  see  a  man  receive  nineteen  stripes  well  laid  on 
his  naked  back,  and  the  blood  following  the  painful  infliction,  but  it  would  be  much  more 
painful  to  see  a  woman  pass  through  this  ancient  and  humiliating  experience.  But  as 
this  mode  of  punishment  is  still  in  vogue  in  Delaware,  rogues  are  very  glad  that  the  State 
is  so  small  that  they  can  soon  pass  beyond  its  borders.  A  little  further  south,  fronting 
Third  Street,  stood  the  jail,  where  many  poor  wretches  have  languished  in  sorrow  in  ex- 
piating their  crimes  against  society.  Here  then  we  see  the  machinery  of  justice,  the 
court  house,  the  pillory  and  whipping-post,  and  the  jail.  It  may  be  pardonable  to  con- 
trast the  Court  House  of  those  times  with  that  of  to-day.  When  the  first  Court  House 
was  finished  there  were  sixty-three  houses  in  Easton,  of  very  humble  dimensions.  I  take 
the  following  from  the  History  of  Lehigh  Valley,  that  the  people  of  to-day  may  not  accuse 
me  of  exaggeration:  "Each  of  the  inhabitants  owned  at  least  one  cow,  while  the  tavern 
keepers,  eight  of  them,  had  each  two,  viz:  Jacob  Abel,  Jacob  Hembt,  Conrad  Ihrie,  Widow 
Nungessor,  Jacob  Opp,  John  Shock,  Theophilus  Shannon,  Adam  Yohe,  Jr.,  and  Frederick 
Wagener.  There  were  104  cows,  25  horses,  about  200  sheep,  and  probably  200  hogs  within 
the  Borough  of  Easton  in  1783.  It  was  the  custom  to  drive  the  cows  out  in  the  barrens, 
north  and  west  of  the  town,  for  pasture.  The  pigs,  in  warm  weather,  were  allowed 
to  wallow  in  the  pond  near  the  Court  House,  and  the  sheep  lay  generally  panting  in  the 
Covirt  House  shade,  changing  their  location  from  west  in  the  morning  to  east  in  the  after- 
noon. George  Troxell  informed  the  writer  that  the  stench  was  intolerable  in  the  Court 
House  from  this  cause,  and  added  :  '  I  have  often  seen  nearly  two  hundred  sheep  lying 
around  the  court  house.'  There  was  no  borough  council  to  interfere  with  the  arrange- 
ments of  the  citizens,  but  everyone  consulted  his  own  convenience.  The  pig-pens  were 
generally  fronting  the  streets  and  built  of  slabs  or  rails,  the  small  doors  of  which  were 
usually  opened  every  morning,  giving  them  permission  to  take  an  airing.  The  cows  came 
home  in  the  afternoon,  walking  down  Ferrj'  street  in  single  file,  accompanied  by  the  music 
of  their  numerous  bells,  the  house-wives  standing  ready  with  their  milk-pails  to  milk 
them  on  the  street.  It  used  to  be  a  lively  time  for  the  lasses  to  squat  down  in  the  street, 
drawing  the  milk  from  the  cows  as  they  spoke  to  each  other  of  their  household  duties,  or 
perhaps  of  their  admirers.  Many  an  agreeable  hour  was  spent  by  the  gallants  of  the  town, 
who  thus  had  a  favorable  opportunity  of  seeing  their  sweethearts  and  having  a  chat  with 
them,  and  aiding  them  in  keeping  off  the  flies.  The  bake-ovens  and  wood  piles  graced 
the  streets  for  many  years."  It  would  be  a  sight  worth  a  little  trouble  to  witness, 
some  of  the  Easton  belles  of  to-day  with  milk-pails  in  hand,  meeting  the  cows  returning 
from  pasture  on  Third  street,  and  the  kid-gloved  gallants,  on  the  bicycles,  from  College 
Hill,  wheeling  in  graceful  curves  around  these  centres  of  attra(5lion,  whispering  words  of 
the  wooing  enchanter,  or  dismounting  just  a  moment  to  whisk  away  the  flies,  which  seem 
to  make  the  cows  so  nervous.  How  the  times  have  changed  in  a  hundred  years.  When 
the  mind  is  busy  thinking  of  the  picfture  thus  drawn  of  the  old  Court  House,  with  hund- 
reds of  living  animals  basking  in  the  shade,  and  wallowing  in  the  mud  around  it,  with 
what  emotions  do  we  turn  our  eyes  to  the  Court  House  of  the  present,  and  its  surround- 
ings.    It  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  location  more  beautified  by  nature,  made  much  more 


68  THE  HISTORY  OF 

so  by  art.  The  front  of  the  height  upon  which  it  stands  so  neatly  terraced,  kept  so  clean 
and  the  grass  so  closely  shorn,  covered  with  a  grove  of  maples — as  beautiful  as  the  groves 
of  Academus — amid  which  the  temple  of  justice  stands,  with  its  lofty  spire  and  classic 
columns,  helps  us  recall  the  pi(fture  we  formed  in  early  life,  when  reading  of  the  "Acrop- 
olis of  Athens."  Houck  had  been  censured  for  building  on  this  hill-top,  but  the  taste  of 
the  present  and  future  will  honor  his  judgment.  Strangers,  in  summer  time,  never  pass 
this  classic  spot  without  stopping  to  admire  the  beautiful  location,  and  many  facile  pens 
have  told  of  the  glories  of  this  summit  of  Court  House  Hill.  After  the  first  Court  House 
had  stood  almost  a  hundred  years,  the  county  became  satisfied  that  the  public  interests 
demanded  a  new  one.  All  the  bitter  feuds  of  those  old  times — when  from  1752  to  1764, 
the  question,  "where  shall  we  build  the  court  house?"  was  discussed  in  the  hotels,  in  the 
humble  dwellings,  by  the  roadside,  in  the  field  and  store,  by  men,  women  and  children — 
had  passed  away.  Gordon,  Sitgreaves,  Jones  and  Porter  had  made  the  walls  of  the  old 
temple  ring  with  their  eloquence.  Within  those  old  walls  the  strongest  minds  in  the  State 
had  struggled  for  mastery.  Murderers  had  been  tried,  convidled  and  led  hence  to  be  hung. 
Long-standing  difficulties  had  been  settled,  and  old  feuds  adjusted.  But  like  all  things 
human,  the  old  building  must  pass  away.  There  now  comes  a  new  controversy,  quite  as 
sharp  as  the  old  one,  but  its  area  was  more  circumscribed.  Before,  the  area  of  dispute 
extended  from  the  Delaware  to  the  Valley  of  Wyoming,  and  from  Bucks  county  on  the 
south,  to  the  New  York  line  on  the  north.  Now  Easton  alone  was  concerned,  as  the 
question  was  by  common  consent  limited  to  Easton,  and  by  them  alone  settled.  "Where 
shall  our  new  temple  be  erected  ?"  Shall  we  build  on  the  old  foundation,  or  shall  we 
move  farther  to  the  west  ?  The  excitement  was  intense.  The  lawyers  did  not  wish  the 
Court  House  to  be  taken  away  from  the  centre  of  business  ;  the  citizens  did  not  wish  the 
Square  any  longer  filled  with  a  public  building.  And  then  the  room  was  not  sufficient. 
Others  thought  that  the  town  must  grow  in  the  diredlion  to  the  west,  and  had  the  idea 
that  the  Court  House  west,  would  in  the  future,  be  in  the  centre  of  population.  The  voice 
of  the  people  decided  against  the  public  square  as  being  too  small,  and  objectionable  in 
other  particulars,  and  so,  "Westward  the  Star  of  Justice  takes  its  course."  There  were 
those  standing  ready  to  see  that  the  county  need  incur  no  expense  in  the  purchase  of  lands 
on  which  to  ere(5l  the  public  buildings.  The  Hon.  David  D.  Wagener  and  James  Thomp- 
son offered  land  as  a  gift  to  the  county.  Through  the  action  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions, and  of  two  successive  Grand  Juries  of  Northampton  County,  the  Commissioners 
were  invested  with  legal  authority  to  proceed  and  purchase  land  for  the  erection  of  build- 
ings for  County  purposes.  A<5ling  on  this  authority,  on  the  23d  of  May,  i860,  they  revoked 
all  prior  resolves  touching  the  matter,  and  concluded  to  purchase  land  offered  by  Hon. 
David  D.  Wagener,  for  the  consideration  of  one  dollar,  and  to  build  a  Court  Hou.se  upon 
the  same.  The  Commissioners  were  Seager,  Houck  and  Hillegass.  Hillegass  is  recorded 
as  remaining  neutral  on  the  question  of  location.  Houck  was  looked  upon  as  the  influ- 
ential man  in  determining  the  question.  He  evidently  had  a  backbone,  and  steered  liis 
own  barge  amid  the  storm.  The  question  was  settled.  The  situation  fronts  on  Walnut 
street,  facing  the  north.  The  Commissioners  deser\'e  the  thanks  of  the  citizens  for 
choosing  a  site  which  for  beauty  cannot  be  excelled.  The  architecfl  employed  was  C. 
Graham,  Esq.,  whose  plan  was  submitted  to  the  Connnissioners  and  by  them  approved. 
On  June  the  15th  the  excavation  for  the  foundation  of  the  building  was  begun,  and  in  a 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


THE  NEW  COURT  HOUSE.    ERECTED  IN  THE  YEAR  1861. 
FROM  A  PHOTOGRAPH  BY  ROCKFELLOW. 

few  da^'s  the  work  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  R.  H.  Horn,  as  Superintendent.  On  June 
2ist  Mr.  Wagener  transferred  the  land  to  the  count)-.  The  work  went  on  with  haste,  and 
on  February  ist,  1861,  the  Judges  and  Members  of  the  Bar  were  invited  to  inspecft  the 
interior  of  the  building,  thougli  the  building  was  not  finished  until  the  following  autumn. 
On  the  22d  of  October,  S.  Trumbore  was  dire<fted  to  take  out  certain  gas  fixtures  and  other 
movables  from  the  old  Court  House,  and  transfer  them  to  the  new.  The  Court  House 
was  ready  to  be  occupied  in  November,  and  on  the  i8th  of  that  month  the  first  term  of 


■JO 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Court  was  held  within  its  walls.  Twenty-four  years  have  passed  away  since  the  new 
Court  House  was  built,  but  the  feeling  has  not  all  died  away  which  was  manifested  against 
building  in  the  place  where  it  stands,  though  no  one  would  wish  to  see  it  again  in  the 
public  square.  The  following  humorous  poem  was  composed  by  Alexander  E.  Brown, 
Esq.  It  would  seem  that  Mr.  Houck  was  the  most  blameworthy,  and  hence  this  bit  of 
wit  was  hurled  at  him. 

THE  HOUSE  THAT  HOUCK  BUILT. 


This  is  the  house  that  Houck  built : 

These  are  the  Clerks  who  wrote  in  the  house  that 

Houck  built. 
These  are  the  Lawyers  who  climbed  up  the  hills 
To  visit  the  Clerks  with  awful  long  bills, 
Who  wrote  in  the  house  that  Houck  built. 
This  is  the  Crier  who,  when  it  was  time, 
Warned  the  Jury  by  bell  to  get  ready  to  climb, 
For  when  Court  was  called  'twas  all  the  same, 
The  old,  or  the  young,  the  halt  or  the  lame. 
Must  mount  with  the  Lawyers,  who  chimb  up  the  hills 
To  visit  the  Clerks,  with  their  awful  long  bills, 
Who  wrote  in  the  house  that  Houck  built. 

This  is  the  Judge  who  said  he  was  sick 
For  fear  he  should  tell  them  to  biuld  it  of  brick, 
(For  build  as  the\'  would  the  Court  must  be  mute, 
Nor  dare  for  the  people  one  word  to  dispute, ) 
To  hold  the  Crier,  who  when  it  was  time 
Warned  the  Jury,  by  bell,  to  get  ready  to  climb. 
For  when  Court  was  called  it  was  all  the  same. 
The  old,  or  the  young,  the  halt  or  the  lame, 
Thev  nnist  mount  with  the  Lawyers  who  climb  up  the 
hills,  &c. 

These  are  the  wise  men  who  showed  their  skill. 
By  planting  this  nuisance  on  top  of  the  hill. 
Regardless  of  safety,  regardless  of  time 
Or  the  necks  of  people  compelled  to  climb. 
For  when  Court  was  called,  &c. 

This  is  the  Court  who  said  they  would  try. 

To  dispose  of  John  Brown,  ere  of  age  he  sho;ild  die. 

Before  the  Jury  sitting  for  life 


To  trj-  John  Brown  who  whipped  his  wife. 
Being  called  by  the  Crier  out  of  the  town, 
To  try  to  get  up  if  they  never  got  down. 
For  when  Court  was  called  they  were  forced  to  climb 
Regardless  of  comfort,  regardless  of  time, 
In  storm  or  shine,  it  was  all  the  same, 
The  old,  or  the  young,  the  sick  and  the  lame. 
Must  mount  with  the  la\\yers  who  climbed  up  the  hills, 
&c. 

These  are  the  people  who  footed  the  bill. 

For  planting  this  humbug  on  top  of  the  hill. 

With  steps  so  steep  that  he  who  must  climb 

Must  take  heed  of  his  neck  in  slippery  time. 

When  they'd  climbed  to  the  Court-room  with  trembling 

and  fear, 
The  de\-il  a  word  can  any  one  hear. 
For  this  great  bungle  is  built  on  the  plan 
To  annoy  the  people  as  much  as  it  can. 
To  do  the  least  good  at  the  greatest  expense. 
In  defiance  of  decency,  prudence  and  sense. 
For  when  Court  was  called  the>-  all  must  climb, 
To  the  top  of  the  hill,  regardless  of  time. 

They  must  mount  up  those  steps  from  out  of  the  town. 

And  those  may  get  up  who  don't  tumble  down. 

For  parties,  jurors,  witnesses,  all 

Must  climb  up  that  steep  at  the  Crier's  call. 

They  must  scratch  up  the  steps  with  grunt  and  groan, 

And  a  bitter  curse  on  every  stone. 

And  mount  with  the  Lawyers  who  climb  up  the  hills, 

To  visit  the  Clerks  with  their  awful  long  bills, 

Wlio  wrote  in  the  house  that  Houck  built. 


The  venerable  building  at  the  Square  was  razed,  the  material  removed,  and  the  ground 
graded.  The  porch  of  the  old  building  now  graces  the  house  of  Mr.  Fleming,  two  miles 
up  the  Delaware.  The  hands  of  improvement  built  the  circular  iron  fence,  set  out  the 
maples,  eredled  the  fountain  in  the  centre,  and  made  the  Circle  and  Square  of  Easton  a 
ver>'  attradlive  spot.  The  imagination  must  be  put  upon  the  strain  when  trying  to  realize 
the  difference  between  the  appearance  of  this  spot  now,  and  when  the  old  Court  House 
stood  there  in  its  glory.  The  land  was  given  by  Penu  for  a  Court  House,  and  when  the 
building  was  to  be  removed,  apjjlicatiou  was  made  to  the  heirs  to  have  the  privilege  of  using 
the  land  for  other  purposes,  wliich  request  was  granted  for  a  \-aluable  consideration. 


i 


ROBERT  TRAILL. 

'Tis  education  forms  the  mind, — 

Just  as  the  twig  is  bent  the  tree  's  inclined. 


|T  IS  a  matter  of  surprise  to  see  how  many  names  in  our  history  tell  the 
story  of  Scotch  ancestry.  Scotland  is  not  near  as  large  as  the  State  of 
Maine,  yet  it  has  sent  forth  a  steady  stream  of  emigrants  from  her  3,500,000 
of  people  to  our  country  which  has  done  more  than  any  other  nationality 
to  establish  our  educational,  religious  and  political  institutions.  No  settle- 
ment was  complete  without  the  church  and  school  house.  They  are  lovers 
of  education  and  human  freedom.  Reared  amid  their  northern  hills,  they 
are  a  tough  and  hardy  race,  and  retain  the  national  peculiarities  to  a  marked 
degree  in  every  clime  in  which  they  may  make  their  home.  The  labors 
necessary  to  procure  a  livelihood  amid  their  native  hills  imparts  a  vigor  of 
body  and  mind  which  prepares  them  to  tussle  with  the  obstacles  that  lie 
in  the  pathway  of  life.  They  are  happy  in  their  toil,  frugal  in  their  habits,  vigorous  in 
thought  and  persistent  in  a(5tion.  The  pure  Celtic  stock  occupies  the  Highlands,  and  are 
as  remarkable  for  their  hospitality  as  for  their  love  of  freedom,  education  and  religion. 
The  Scotch  Bard  has  given  us  his  idea  of  this  feature  of  their  characfter  in  the  following 
stanza: 

"When  death's  dark  stream  I  ferry  o'er, 
A  time  that  surely  shall  come, 
In  Heaven  itself  I'll  ask  no  more, 
Than  just  a  Highland  welcome." 

Just  north  of  the  Highlands  is  a  cluster  of  islands  called  the  Orkneys.  The  parallel  59° 
passes  through  them.  On  the  eastern  coast  of  America  this  latitude  would  be  too  cold  for 
human  habitation;  but  these  islands  are  regaled  by  the  warm  breath  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  so 
modifying  the  climate  as  to  make  it  a  delightful  residence  for  men.  In  the  long  da)-s  of 
Summer  the  sun  is  above  the  horizon  more  than  twenty  hours,  and  twilight  lasts  through 
the  night.  In  Sanda,  one  of  these  islands,  Robert  Traill  was  born,  April  29th,  1744,  O.  S. 
His  father  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Traill,  and  his  mother,  Sabilla  Grant,  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  Alexander  Grant,  of  South  Ronaldsay.  Robert  had  good  advantages  in  his 
early  boyhood;  though  his  father  died  when  he  was  nine  years  old,  leaving  a  widow  with 
seven  children,  four  daughters  and  three  sons.  The  eldest  daughter  and  the  three  sons 
were  sent  to  Kirkwall,  the  capital  of  the  county  of  Orkney,  to  be  educated.  The  society 
of  this  town  is  regarded  as  quite  as  good  as  that  of  the  most  favored  towns  of  Scotland. 
There  was  a  good  grammar  school  and  suitable  libraries  for  the  use  of  the  pupils.  At 
fourteen  years  of  age,  Robert  entered  the  mercantile  business  with  George  Pitcarne,  of 
Edinburgh.  He  returned  to  Kirkwall.  But  he  was  not  satisfied  with  the  narrow 
boundaries  of  a  small  island;  when  across  the  Atlantic,  a  virgin  continent  offered  him  a 
home.  He  desired  to  go  where  day  and  night  were  more  equally  divided.  He  had  heard 
of  Penn,  and  the  noble  commonwealth  he  had  established.  He  had  heard  of  its  pleasant 
climate,  its  fertile  soil,  and  free  institutions;  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  bade  adieu  to 


72  THE  HISTORY  OF 

dear  old  Scotland,  farewell  to  mother,  sisters  and  brothers,  whose  faces  he  was  never  again 
to  see,  a  final  farewell  to  scenes  of  his  childhood,  and  with  the  star  of  hope  shining 
brightly  before  him,  he  set  sail  for  Philadelphia,  October,  1763.  He  kept  a  diar>-  of  his 
voyage  which  was  found  among  his  papers  after  his  death.  The  vessel  in  which  he  sailed 
was  commanded  by  John  Thompson,  of  Londonderry.  After  a  passage  of  ten  weeks,  he 
arrived  at  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love.  He  had  a  letter  from  his  eldest  sister  to  one  Mr. 
Gilbert  Barclay,  who,  in  a  few  weeks,  procured  a  place  for  him  with  Myer  Hart,  a  Jewish 
merchant  of  Easton.  He  remained  with  Mr.  Hart  twenty  months,  by  which  experience 
he  became  well  acquainted  with  business.  He  taught  school  a  year.  (He  does  not  tell 
us  where.  Was  it  in  the  log  school  house  comer  of  Church  and  Sitgreaves  streets?)  This 
seemed  then,  as  now,  the  stepping  stone  to  the  legal  profession.  He  entered  the  law  office 
of  Lewis  Gordon,  prothonotan,-,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Northampton  county  in 
1777,  and  became  the  third  lawyer  in  Easton.  He  was  now  thirty-three  years  of  age,  and 
had  passed  through  a  good  experience  to  aid  him  in  the  profession  upon  which  he  had 
entered.  From  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  America,  through  the  years  preceding  his  legal 
preparation,  there  had  been  more  or  less  friction  between  the  mother  countr}-  and  the 
colonies,  and  the  mind  of  Mr.  Traill  became  prepared  to  enter  the  contest  in  heart}-  accord 
with  the  struggling  colonies  for  freedom.  In  the  early  days  of  the  Revolutionary-  war,  a 
committee  of  safety  was  formed  for  the  county  and  Mr.  Traill  was  elected  clerk,  and 
adled  as  such  for  two  years.  The  proceedings  were  neatly  kept  and  are  still  in  the  hands 
of  his  grandson.  Dr.  Traill  Green,  of  Easton.  He  was  appointed  one  of  the  Justices  of 
the  Peace,  June  3,  1777;  and  on  the  nth  of  March,  military-  storekeeper  at  Easton;  a 
position  which  he  declined.  October  15,  1781,  he  was  eledled  Sheriff  of  the  county, 
which  position  he  held  to  November  5,  1784.  The  accounts  of  moneys  received  and  paid 
out  while  he  was  sheriff,  lie  before  me,  and  in  reading  them  over,  I  find  the  following  bill 
paid,  viz.:  7s.  and  6d.  for  shaving  IMr.  Levers,  when  a  corpse;  the  fee  was  paid  to  John 
Cleman;  and  also  "paid  the  schoolmaster  7s.,  6d.  for  inviting  to  the  funeral."  (This 
Mr.  Levers  died  while  he  was  holding  the  position  of  Prothonotar}-. )  Mr.  Traill  was 
chosen  a  representative  to  the  General  Assembly  for  the  sessions  of  1785-6.  He  rose 
steadily  in  public  esteem,  passed  through  the  exciting  times  of  the  Revolution;  came  to 
Pennsylvania  when  it  was  a  colony  dependent  on  the  British  Crown,  and  now  represented 
Northampton  county  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State.  He  began  his  official  career 
before  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  must  have  perfonned  his  work  well  to  have 
received  this  mark  of  confidence  after  ten  years  of  official  life.  But  he  was  still  further 
honored  by  his  adopted  State.  At  the  close  of  his  Legislative  career,  he  was  eledled  a 
member  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  which  position  he  held 
two  years.  He  followed  Mr.  Levers  as  Prothonotar\-  for  the  county.  Under  the  Con- 
stitution of  1790,  he  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Mifflin  one  of  the  Associate 
Judges  of  Northampton  county,  and  held  the  office  more  than  two  years.  Judge  Traill 
died  at  Easton  on  the  31st  of  July,  1816,  aged  seventy-two  years. 

The  Spirit  of  Pctiusylvaitia^  in  a  notice  of  his  death,  said:  "He  was  an  honest  and 
virtuous  citizen,  much  esteemed  by  his  fellow-citizens,  and  venerated  for  his  unifonn 
morality  and  his  punctuality  in  business.  He  expired  as  a  finn  and  faithful  servant  of 
our  Redeemer.  Judge  James  M.  Porter,  in  an  historical  address  relating  to  the  county, 
spoke  of  many  of  the  early  inhabitants  of  the  county.     In  the  course  of  his  remarks  he 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  73 

said:  "Lewis  Gordon  was  the  first  Attorney,  then  James  Biddle,  afterward  Judge  Biddle, 
the  father  of  John  Marks  Biddle,  of  Reading,  who  was  the  King's  Attorney  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  county.  The  next  was  Robert  Traill,  of  Scotland,  who  settled  here  before 
the  Revolution,  and  adlive  in  favor  of  the  Colonies.  His  descendants  in  the  female  line 
are  yet  among  us,  and  among  the  most  respecftable  part  of  our  citizens.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  probity  and  industry,  of  singular  professional  accuracy,  and  though  he  had 
not  much  of  the  'Suaviter  in  modo,  he  had  a  good  degree  of  the  fortiter  in  re  in  him.'  " 
Henry,  in  History  of  the  Lehigh  Valley,  says:  "Of  Mr.  Traill  it  can  be  said  that  in  every 
respedl  he,  for  many  years,  was  everything  to  ever>'body.  Any  inhabitant  getting  into 
difficulty  was  told  to  go  to  Mr.  Traill,  he  will  tell  you  what  to  do."  If  any  writings 
were  to  be  drawn  corredlly,  "go  to  Mr.  Traill."  If  any  secretary  or  clerk  was  wanting 
at  any  public  meeting,  Mr.  Traill  was  called  upon  to  officiate.  The  History'  of  North- 
ampton County  thus  speaks  of  him:  "He  was  the  third  lawyer  in  Easton  in  point  of 
time,  though  indeed  not  second  to  any  in  point  of  legal  ability  and  prominence  through 
a  career  of  a  quarter  of  a  century.  His  popularity  was  great  in  the  county.  If  two  mis- 
guided farmers,  taking  counsel  more  of  their  passions  than  of  their  wisdom  rushed  into 
the  labyrinth  of  the  law,  it  was  a  question  with  such,  which  could  soonest  reach  and  retain 
lawyer  Traill;  and  many  a  well-fed  Rosinante  was  rushed  at  a  dangerous  pace  down  the 
steep  hill,  or  across  the  Bushkill  bridge,  in  the  owner's  haste  to  be  first  at  the  office  .of  the 
favorite  lawyer.  And  whatever  might  be  needed — will,  deed,  assignment,  or  any  of  the 
multiform  invocations  or  evasions  of  law  and  justice — none  felt  themselves  secure  unless 
the  legal  shield  of  Robert  Traill  covered  them.  Surrounded  by  so  large  a  German  popu- 
lation, he  studied  that  language,  and  was  so  well  acquainted  with  it  that  he  acfled  frequently 
as  interpreter  in  the  Northampton  courts,  in  which,  in  his  day,  there  must  have  been 
many  witnesses  who  could  not  speak  the  English  language."  We  learn  that  on  one  occa- 
sion Samuel  Sitgreaves,  an  eminent  lawyer,  at  the  same  bar,  expressed  a  doubt  as  to  the 
correctness  of  the  translation  which  he  made.  Mr.  Traill  put  on  his  hat  and  left  the 
court  room.  Mr.  Sitgreaves  made  an  apology  for  the  interruption  he  had  made  in  the 
examination  of  the  witness.  Mr.  Traill's  honesty  in  every  position  was  never  doubted, 
and  Mr.  Sitgreaves  felt  that  he  had  erred  in  expressing  himself  as  he  did  in  regard  to  Mr. 
Traill's  knowledge  of  the  German  language,  and  his  faithfulness  in  the  translation.  His 
family  bible  was  in  German;  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  his  wife  was  most  familiar 
with  that  language.  To  show  the  characteristics  of  the  man,  it  may  be  proper  to  recall  the 
following  counsel  to  his  children,  which  was  found  among  his  papers  after  his  death: 

"My  Dear  and  Loving  Children  : 

Before  I  depart  this  life,  and  leave  you  under  the  precepts  and  examples  of  a  wise, 
and  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  I  am  desirous  to  give  you  a  little  advice,  for  your 
future  conduCl  in  this  precarious  and  uncertain  world.  You  and  all  of  you  have,  to  my 
great  satisfaction,  heretofore  behaved  well  and  affectionately  to  your  mother  and  me,  and 
should  your  mother  survive  me,  I  hope  you  will  continue  so  to  do.  She  has  been  an 
industrious,  loving,  and  affeClionate  wife  and  mother.  Keep  always  in  memory  the 
instruction  you  have  in  youth  received,  and  the  many  mercies  and  benefits  bestowed  on 
you  by  the  Lord.  Attend  divine  worship  when  circumstances  and  opportunities  serve. 
In  your  leisure  hours  and  walks  meditate  on  the  works  of  God,  and  repeat  some  comfort- 


THE  HISTORY   OF 


THE    OLD    COUNTY    HOUSE    THAT    STOOD    IN    THE    SQUARE. 

ENGRAVED    FROM    A    PHOTOGRAPH    TAKEN    BY    BROWN,    APRIL  4.    lS6S, 
WHILE   THE   BUILDING  WAS    BEING    TORN    DOWN. 

From  a  Philadelphia  Magazine  in  1798:  "The  County  House  is  a  building  destined  for  the  safe 
keeping  of  the  public  records,  and  in  which  the  ci\'il  offices  are  kept.  It  is  perfeclly  fire  proof;  it 
was  built  in  1792,  is  one-storj'  high,  of  an  oblong  form,  with  a  wide  entri,-  through  the  middle,  com- 
municating with  two  spacious  rooms  on  each  side — each  room  being  arched  over ;  the  floors  are  all 
plastered ;  the  casements  of  the  windows  are  of  stone,  and  the  whole  of  the  doors  and  shutters  are  of 
iron.     It  is  situated  southeast  of  the  Court  House." 

It  became  useless  to  the  county  after  the  new  Court  House  was  built,  and  was  sold  by  the  Commis- 
sioners to  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  Esq.,  March  19,  1S64.  Recorded  in  the  Office  for  Recording  of  Deeds, 
at  Easton,  in  Deed  Book  G,  \'ol.  10,  page  661.  Consideration,  #5525.  The  Free  Press  was  published 
here  for  a  short  time  ;  also,  old  Squire  Arndt  had  his  office  in  it.  The  Phcenix  Hose  Company's  house 
stood  in  the  rear.  Handsome  brick  dwellings,  erecled  by  Daviil  Garis  and  James  Dinkey,  now  occupy 
the  site. 


£  ASTON,    PENN'A.  75 

ing  hymns  or  psalms.  These  were  often  my  company  in  my  solitary  walks,  and  gave  me 
relief  when  in  trouble  or  concern  of  mind.  There  are  several  of  the  psalms  of  David 
which  I  would  recommend,  and  which  I  got  by  heart  in  my  younger  days  when  at  school, 
particularly  the  ist,  23d,  67th,  looth,  120th,  121st,  123d,  127th,  131st,  and  133d.  I  have 
several  good  books  which  I  have  direc?ted  to  be  divided  amongst  you,  as  well  as  other 
instru6live  ones  as  you  may  choose  among  )ourselves.  Let,  I  pray  you,  no  jealousy  or 
discord  appear  between  you,  and  should  your  mother  survive  me,  at  her  decease  divide 
her  clothing  and  linen  as  equally  as  possible  between  yourselves  without  any  disagree- 
ment whatever.  You  have  been  always  affedlionate  and  loving  toward  me  and  mother, 
and  I  hope  in  God  you  may  continue.  As  Easton  is  a  place  of  much  discord,  ill-will 
toward  one  another,  and  very  much  tattling,  I  would  recommend  to  you  that  you  may 
hear  what  you  will  of  your  neighbor,  give  no  reply  nor  interfere  in  a  thing  that  does  not 
concern  you.  Tattling  and  back-biting  are  great  evils,  and  often  bring  people  to  trouble. 
Bring  up  your  children  in  a  decent,  Christian  manner,  remembering  the  Scripture  saying, 
'Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  shall  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it.' 
Show  at  all  times  a  good  example  to  your  offspring,  and  you  will,  with  God's  help,  have 
pleasure  in  their  condu6l.  My  last  wish  is,  that  the  Lord  the  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  may 
bless  and  protecft  you  and  them  for  Christ's  sake,  who  shed  His  blood  for  the  remission 
of  sin.  Your  affedlionate  father, 

Easton,  Sept.  ix,  18x5.  "ROBERT  TRAILL." 

In  order  to  show  still  more  clearly  the  charadler  of  this  man,  the  author  takes  great  plea- 
sure in  referring  his  readers  to  a  manuscript  Catechism  which  was  placed  in  his  hands  by 
one  of  the  descendants.  On  the  outside  of  the  cover,  we  have  the  title:  "Robert  Traill's 
Catechism,"  and  is  dated  1752.  It  was  evidently  written  in  a  boy's  hand,  coarse  and 
heavy;  part  of  the  pages  were  carefully  ruled,  and  the  others  not.  All  show  the  inex- 
perience of  the  boy.  Those  who  know  the  habits  of  the  Scotch  people  in  the  education  of 
their  children,  will  not  be  much  surprised  to  learn  that  Robert's  catechism  was  written 
out  when  he  was  eight  years  old,  as  he  was  born  in  1744.  Without  doubt  he  began  to 
learn  his  catechism  with  the  first  exhibition  of  thoughtfulness.  And  the  influence  of 
these  principles  never  left  him ;  they  were  the  foundation  of  his  religious  charadler,  they 
set  the  currents  of  life  in  motion,  and,  through  stonn  and  sunshine,  they  were  the  impell- 
ing force  of  his  '^ife,  the  solace  of  his  soul.  The  instrudlion  thus  given  was  a  better 
legacy  than  any  pecuniary  bequest.  He  was  thus  prepared  to  battle  with  the  trials 
and  problems  of  life  in  the  new  world.  These  principles  shone  clearly  in  his  touch- 
ing letter  to  his  children,  just  as  the  sun  of  life  was  setting.  Robert  Traill  was  truly  a 
religious  man,  yet  he  had  a  vein  of  humor  in  his  nature.  On  one  occasion,  when  travel- 
ing in  the  country  on  business,  he  came  to  a  cross  of  the  roads,  and  observed  a  iinger- 
board  directing  the  traveler  to  a  village,  and  giving  the  distance.  Underneath  the 
diredlion,  he  saw  the  words:  "Those  who  cannot  read  inquire  at  the  next  house."  The 
incident  was  told  with  merriment  when  he  returned  home.  The  catechism  bears  evidence 
of  the  boy  in  the  language  as  well  as  in  the  handwriting.  The  first  nineteen  questions 
are  lost,  but  enough  remains  to  show  the  faithful  training  of  his  father,  who  was  a  Presby- 
terian clergyman.  The  charad;er  of  this  good  man  shows  plainly  that  a  stri6l  religious 
education  in  early  childhood  is  the  best  gift  of  a  parent. 


76  THE   HISTORY  OF 

The  author  takes  pleasure  in  quoting  a  few  words  from  the  remarkable  catechism,  in 
order  to  show  the  working  of  the  child's  mind,  and  the  careful  training  he  had  received. 

22D  QuES. — In  what  condition  was  our  Saviour  when  his  sufferings  drew  near? 

Ans. — He  was  filled  with  such  agony  and  consternation  that  the  sweat  ran  over  his 
body  like  great  drops  of  blood. 

28TH  QuES. — In  what  manner  was  our  Saviour  put  to  death? 

Ans. — Great  nails  were  driven  through  his  hands  and  his  feet,  by  which  he  was  fixed 
to  the  cross,  and  hung  up  between  two  thieves  like  a  common  malefadtor. 

Judge  Traill  was  married  on  the  3d  of  March,  1774,  to  Elizabeth  Grotz,  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Grotz,  who  were  of  German  birth.  Her  family  name  was  Shaffbuch. 
She  was  born  on  the  7th  day  of  July,  1751,  and  died  on  the  31st  of  May,  1816,  preceding 
her  husband's  death  by  two  months.  She  was  a  woman  of  intelligence  and  energ\-,  a 
verv  helpmate  to  her  Scotch  husband.     The  children  were: 

Elizabeth,  married  Benjamin  Green,  who  were  the  parents  of  Dr.  Traill  Green,  the 
eminent  physician  of  Easton;  Mars',  married  Abraham  Ealer;  Catherine,  died  unmarried; 
Sarah,  married  Peter  Nungesser;  Isabella,  married  Melchior  Horn;  Anne,  married  Jacob 
Kline;  Rebecca,  died  unmarried. 

All  the  daughters  grew  up  to  mature  age.  There  were  three  sons,  Thomas,  George 
and  Jacob,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Note. — It  is  often  a  matter  of  surprise,  while  tracing  out  family  lineage  to  see  how  strangely  families 
from  remote  regions  intermingle.  On  page  14  of  a  book  entitled,  "A  genealogical  account  of  the  Traills  of 
Orkney,"  we  find  the  following:  "George  Traill  married  Keith  Spence,  whose  daughter  Harriet  married  the 
Rev.  Charles  Lowell,  father  of  his  Excellency  the  Honorable  James  Russel  Lowell,  .\merican  .\mbassador  to 
England,  who,  in  addition  to  being  an  able  diplomatist,  has  long  enjoyed  and  maintained  a  high  reputation  in 
the  paths  of  literature." 


KICHLINE  FAMILY. 

Among  the  early  families  in  Easton  was  the  one  named  above.  Peter  Kichline  was 
born  in  Germany,  October  8,  1722,  and  died  November  27,  1789.  His  name  was  spelled 
Kechline,  Keechline  and  Kachline  in  the  old  records,  but  for  many  years  has  been 
spelled  as  above.  He  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  acliive  citizens  of  the  state. 
He  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  the  limits  of  the  town  of  Easton,  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
Bushkill,  back  of  Mount  Jefferson,  which  property  has  been  owned  by  Michael  Butz  many 
years.  Like  nearly  all  the  German  emigrants,  he  fled  from  the  tyranny  of  kings  in 
Europe,  and  was  ready  for  the  patriotic  struggle  which  was  ushered  into  life  by  the  trying 
scenes  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  among  the  very  first  to  take  adlive  measures  of  resist- 
ence  to  the  encroachments  of  the  British  King.  At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Easton 
in  the  Court  House,  in  December,  1774,  to  elecfl  a  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  county, 
he  was  one  of  the  judges  of  the  eledlion,  with  George  Taylor;  was  the  second  man 
eledled  of  that  immortal  band  of  patriots,  and  was  placed  on  the  Standing  Committee. 
He  entered  thus  early  into  the  struggle,  and  continued  steadfast  unto  the  end.  He  became 
colonel  of  militia,  and  was  frequently  in  correspondence  with  the  President  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania.     In  \'oI.   XII,  of  the  Colonial  Records,  page  312,  we  find 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


11 


he  was  ordered  to  call  out  the  militia  of  the  county,  and  empowered  to  offer  fifteen 
hundred  dollars  for  every  Tory  or  Indian  prisoner,  and  a  thousand  dollars  for  every  Indian 
scalp.  On  the  next  page  we  find  an  order  for  him  to  march  immediately  to  the  townships 
of  lyower  and  Upper  Smithfield  to  repress  the  incursion  of  the  savages.  The  militia  of 
the  county  was  under  the  control  of  Colonel  Kichline,  and  on  the  same  page,  as  quoted 
above,  we  learn  that  those  who  expended  money  for  the  service  must  report  to  Colonel 
Kichline,  lieutenant  of  the  county.  He  was  as  faithful  in  the  Indian  war  of  1763,  as  he 
was  afterwards  in  the  Revolution.  He  went  as  lieutenant  with  the  company  from  North- 
ampton, to  the  battle  of  Brooklyn;  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight;  was  taken  prisoner, 
but  soon  returned  home  and  buckled  on  his  annor  for  further  duties  in  the  field.  He  was 
as  busy  in  civil  life  as  he  was  in  military.  He  was  a  hotel  keeper,  and  rented  his  large 
room  in  his  new  house,  up  one  pair  of  stairs,  to  the  Commissioners  for  holding  courts, 
eledlions,  and  all  other  public  business.  In  1759,  he  was  elecfted  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners; he  was  ele(5led  Sheriff"  in  1762;  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Assembly  in  1774; 
and  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  The  writer  of  the  History  of  the  L,ehigh  Valley 
says :  "He  was  a  true  patriot,  and  an  honest  man. ' '  Another  has  told  us  that  ' ' an  honest 
man  is  the  noblest  work  of  God;"  and  when  this  is  added  to  the  charac5ler  of  the  man 
who  goes  fearlessly  to  the  front  in  heat  of  battle  to  defend  the  liberties  of  his  countr}-, 
who  mingles  in  civil  and  official  life  without  reproach,  we  have  a  charadler  worthy  of  our 
profoundest  regard,  and  one  which  may  be  studied  with  profit.  His  mill  property  passed 
into  the  hands  of  his  son  Andrew,  and  in  old  age,  he  lived  and  died  with  his  son  Peter, 
who  lived  on  a  farm  about  two  miles  above  Easton.  His  son  had  also  a  son  Peter  who 
was  the  father  of  Joseph  Kichline,  now  living  on  South  Sixth  street,  in  the  quiet  retire- 
ment of  old  age.  The  writer  called  frequently  upon  old  Mr.  Kichline  on  Sixth  street, 
and  enjoyed  his  allusions  to  the  past  in  connedrtion  with  his  experience.  When  quite 
young  he  was  a  clerk  for  one  of  the  large  firms  in  Bushkill  Valley.  He  said  the  farmers 
would  come  from  above  the  mountains  with  their  produce,  and  generally  took  back  a 
barrel  of  whiskey,  and  the  whiskey  was  sold  for  eight  or  nine  dollars  a  barrel.  Those 
attending  court  as  jurors  or  witnesses  from  beyond  the  mountains  would  come  barefooted. 
People  would  give  their  children  one  pair  of  shoes  in  a  year,  and  this  would  be  in  Autumn. 
When  they  were  worn  out  they  must  go  barefoot.  Shoemakers  went  from  house  to  house 
to  make  shoes  for  the  family,  and  this  was  called  "whipping  the  cat."  Mr.  Kichline 
went  to  school  to  the  old  Pedagogue  in  the  German  Reformed  school  house,  comer  of  Sit- 
greaves  and  Church  streets.  This  was  Mr.  Hempsing,  who  was  the  organist  in  the  old  church 
on  Third  street.  Mr.  Kichline  has  four  children  living:  George  F.  Kichline,  Esq.,  Mrs. 
Mary  Smith,  Mrs.  Susan  Kutzler,  and  Miss  Annie.  There  are  six  grand  children,  which 
makes  the  sixth  generation. 


LEHN  FAMILY. 


In  the  tax  list  of  1763,  the  name  of  Michael  Lehn  appears  among  the  married  men 
of  the  town.  He  was  the  father  of  Andrew  Adam  Lehn  who  lived  in  the  southeast  corner 
of  the  Square.     There  was  another  son  who  emigrated  to  Pittsburg,  and  Adam  made 


78  THE  HISTORY  OF 

several  trips,  on  foot,  during  his  life  to  visit  his  brother.  Michael,  the  father,  was  among 
the  early  German  people  who  came  to  this  country  poor.  His  son  Adam  had  been  pros- 
pered, and  owned  thirt}'  acres  of  land  on  College  Hill,  commencing  at  the  jun6lion  of 
Cattell  street  and  the  new  road,  extending  toward  the  Delaware,  and  as  far  back  as  Moser's 
lane.  He  also  owned  the  property  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Centre  Square,  now  occu- 
pied by  the  residence  of  A.  S.  Deichman,  and  all  the  property  on  Lehn's  Court.  He  also 
owned  other  property  in  different  parts  of  the  town  which  was  divided,  at  his  death, 
between  his  children  John  and  Mar>'. 

On  the  property  on  College  Hill  was  a  fine  apple  orchard,  and  he  had  some  trouble 
with  the  boys,  who  had  the  common  habits  of  boys  when  apples  were  ripe.  A  sound 
reprimand  accompanied  by  the  ordinary  threat  had  about  the  same  effect  as  in  more 
modern  times.  Adam  Lehn  was  remarkable  for  his  financial  integrity  and  stridl  dealings 
with  his  fellows.  Father  Pomp  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and  made  the  remark,  that 
"if  Mr.  Lehn  owed  a  man  half  a  cent,  he  would  cut  a  cent  in  two  but  what  he  would  pay 
him  his  just  demand."  Adam  Lehn  married  a  sister  of  the  late  Philip  Mixsell,  and  had 
two  children,  John  and  Mary.  John  married  Miss  Susan  Gangawere,  of  AUentown,  and 
had  a  family  of  ten  children,  three  sons  and  seven  daughters,  five  of  whom  are  still  living. 
The  daughters  Maria  and  Matilda  were  twins.  Maria,  who  married  the  late  Henn.'  Ben- 
der, was  the  mother  of  the  wife  of  Judge  Schuyler;  and  Matilda,  who  married  the  late  P. 
A.  Sage,  was  the  mother  of  H.  A.  Sage.  Mary,  the  daughter,  married  Ralph  Tindall, 
and  was  the  mother  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  John  married  Elizabeth 
Herster;  had  one  child,  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Mark  T.  Warne.  Caroline,  the  wife  of  J.  W. 
Long;  Louisa,  the  wife  of  Charles  Heller,  of  Philadelphia;  x\bby  Ann,  and  Ellen,  the 
widow  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Geyer,  of  Frederick,  Maryland.  Maria,  the  late  wife  of  Samuel 
Drinkhouse,  was  the  mother  of  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  George  Diehl,  D.  D.,  of  Frederick 
City,  Maryland;  Mrs.  Clement  Stewart,  of  South  Easton,  and  Mrs.  Harry  Raphael.  The 
patriotism  of  the  citizens  of  Easton  is  shown  by  the  following  incident.  While  spending 
a  pleasant  evening  in  the  family  of  Mr.  James  W.  Long,  Miss  Tindall  told  the  author, 
when  she  saw  a  large  bonfire  that  her  grandmother  remarked,  "they  may  build  bonfires, 
but  they  would  never  have  as  large  a  one  as  they  had  when  the  news  of  the  adoption  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  came  to  Easton.  They  brought  many  cords  of  wood 
and  piled  it  up  where  the  Police  Headquarters  now  stand,  which  was  then  an  open  space, 
and  burned  it,  and  the  hills  around  were  lighted  by  the  flames."  It  recalled,  no  doubt, 
the  signal  fires  on  the  mountains  of  Switzerland  when  liberty  was  in  danger. 


THE  BUSHKILL  VALLEY. 


Empires  may  fall  and  kingdoms  ris 
Changes  take  place  in  starlit  skies, 
But  these  rivers  roll  on  forever. 


ASTON  is  made  beautiful  by  the  mountains  which  encircle  it,  where 
"hills  peep  o'er  hills  and  Alps  on  Alps  arise."  But  this  beauty  is  greatly 
enhanced  by  the  rivers  which  meet  and  mingle  their  waters  as  they  hasten 
away  to  the  sea.  The  history  of  the  Delaware  is  so  closely  interwoven 
with  the  early  history  of  the  Republic,  that  it  has  become  a  classic  stream. 
Its  history  would  make  one  of  the  most  interesting  stories  in  American 
literature.  The  Lehigh  valley  is  known  far  and  wide  as  one  of  the  most 
busy  in  the  cotintry.  The  canal,  railroads,  and  furnaces  smoking  from 
Easton  to  Mauch  Chunk,  make  it  a  valley  for  tourists  to  visit.  So  over- 
shadowing are  these  two  in  history  and  in  wealth,  that  the  historian 
has  quite  overlooked  the  valley  of  the  Bushkill,  and  yet  this  little,  unpre- 
tending stream  was  the  beginning  of  Easton' s  wealth.  A  glance  at  the  map  of  North- 
ampton county  will  reveal  to  the  eye  a  number  of  small  brooks  starting  in  the  Blue  Moun- 
tain, bounding  Bushkill  Township  on  the  north,  which  flow  together  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  township,  and  form  what  is  called  Bushkill  creek.  This  creek,  in  former  years 
was  called  Tatamy's  creek,  and  Lehicflon  creek,  but  those  Indian  names  were  aban- 
doned, and  it  is  now  known  by  the  name  of  the  township  in  which  it  rises,  and  through 
which  it  runs.  The  distance  from  Easton  to  the  mountain  is  about  fourteen  miles,  but 
the  main  stream  is  very  crooked,  which  increases  its  length  and  power  as  a  mill  stream. 
There  is  a  good  deal  of  business  done  in  the  valley  at  this  date,  but  not  so  large  as  in 
"ye  olden  time,"  when  the  smoke  of  the  distilleries  greeted  the  vision  in  all  directions, 
and  the  "sound  of  the  grinding"  was  not  low.  Large  teams  were  constantly  seen  carry- 
ing heavy  loads  of  grain  to  the  mills,  and  bringing  back  the  flour  and  whiskey  to  the 
Durham  boats  waiting  at  the  river  bank.  There  were  ten  or  twelve  cooper-shops,  which 
were  kept  busy  manufadluring  barrels  in  which  to  transport  whiskey  to  Philadelphia. 
Whiskey  was  plenty  then;  a  bottle  was  standing  in  every  store,  and  purchasers  were 
free  to  drink  when  their  bills  were  settled.  The  author  spent  a  very  pleasant  evening  with 
one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Easton,  whose  age  and  experience  enabled  him  to  call  up 
the  history  of  this  busy  little  valley,  and  name  the  several  mills  along  the  stream.  Sit- 
ting in  his  pleasant  mansion,  near  Third  street,  he  would  naturally  begin  with  that  one 
nearest  at  hand,  and  so  he  named  the  one  at  the  foot  of  Third  street,  near  the  Bushkill 
bridge.  But  before  noticing  this  mill,  we  will  speak  of  an  island  which  lies  in  the  Dela- 
ware, near  the  mouth  of  this  creek.  This  little  barren  island  was  once  one  of  the  best 
fishing  stations  for  shad  along  the  river.  (It  is  valuable  now  only  as  a  deposit  of  excel- 
lent sand  washed  down  by  the  current  of  the  river.)  It  is  chiefly  memorable  from  the 
scene  of  the  execution  of  Getter  many  years  ago,  and  is  called  Getter's  island.     From  the 


So  THE  HISTORY  OF 

original  deed,  now  lying  before  me,  it  is  learned  that  this  island  was  deeded  to  "Jacob 
Abel,  fem-man,  Peter  Ealer,  Esq.,  George  William  Roup,  gentleman,  Jacob  Amdt,  Jr., 
Esq.,  and  John  Herster,  all  of  the  town  of  Easton,"  in  1787,  by  the  Honorable  John 
Penn,  Jr.,  and  John  Penn,  of  Philadelphia,  Esqrs.  This  island  should  be  called  Abel's 
island,  as  the  original  deed  is  still  in  possession  of  the  family. 

The  mill  property  at  the  bridge,  and  the  first  mentioned  by  my  informant,  was  granted 
to  John  Brotzman  and  John  Herster,  in  1789,  by  John  Penn,  the  yoimger,  and  John  Penn, 
the  elder.  The  deeds,  showing  the  several  transfers  of  the  property,  are  fine  specimens  of 
penmanship,  and  are  kept  in  the  safe  of  the  present  owners  of  the  mill,  who  ver>-  kindlv 
pennitted  the  author  to  examine  them.  Brotzman  and  Herster  cut  the  road  up  the  left  bank 
of  the  Bushkill  from   the  Third  street  bridge.      This  property  was  transferred  to  Jacob 

Mixsell  in  1810,  and  retained  by  him  for 
thirty-two  years,  and  was  transferred  to 
Enoch  Green,  in  1842.  The  next  owner 
was  I.  N.  Carpenter,  by  whom  it  was  sold 
to  Mann  &  Allshouse,  in  1868,  the  present 
owners.  The  old  method  of  making  flour 
is  still  used,  and  excellent  work  is  done. 
The  capacity  of  this  mill  is  about  fifty  bar- 
rels per  day.  There  is  nine  feet  fall  of 
water.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek 
was  fonnerly  Lehn's  tannery,  now  owned 
by  H.  A.  Sage,  and  is  used  as  a  funiiture 
iuanufa(5lory.  At  the  foot  of  Fourth  street 
was  another  tanner}-  also,  owned  by  Major 
William  Bamet. 

The  second  mill  is  Groetzinger's,  and 
was  built  by  Peter  Ihrie  in  1829  or  1830. 
It  was  first  used  as  a  fulling  mill,  but  this 
business  being  unprofitable  it  was  changed 
to  an  oil  mill,  and  after  a  fair  trial,  the 
trouble  of  obtaining  flax  seed  was  so  great, 
it  was  changed  into  a  grist  mill.  This  pro- 
perty remained  in  the  hands  of  Peter  Ihrie 
till  his  death;  it  then  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  son  Benjamin,  who  sold  it  to  the 
present  owner.  The  old  process  of  flour-making  is  continued.  It  has  four  run  of  stone, 
and  five  feet  fall  of  water. 

Peter  Ihrie  was  the  son  of  Conrad  Ihrie,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1731.  Peter, 
the  father  of  Anthony  Ihrie,  was  born  in  1765,  and  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  only 
one  of  whom  survives,  viz  :  Anthony,  from  whom  the  above  infonnation  was  obtained. 
Anthony  has  a  family  of  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters;  so  that  the  family 
name  will  remain  in  Easton. 

The  third  mill  is  now  owned  l)y  the  \cnerablc  Michael  Butz,  and  it  was  the  second 
one  built  on  the  stream,  having  been  built  in  1762,  by  Peter  Kichline.  This  mill  passed 
to  .Andrew,  his  .son.     Cliristian  Butz  bought  the  mill  of  Andrew  Kichline,  and  lived  in  a 


ON  THE  BUSHKILL — VIEW  OK  THE   OLD   BUTZ  MILL, 
REAR  OF  XIOINT  JEKKERSOX. 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A.  8i 

log  house  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek  from  the  mill.  At  his  death  David  Butz  bought 
it  from  the  estate  of  his  father.  In  1810,  Christian  Butz  built  the  large  brick  house, 
which  is  a  fine  specimen  of  faithful  workmanship,  and  has  stood  the  test  of  seventy-six 
years  of  wear  and  weather.  In  1827,  Michael  bought  the  mill  of  his  brother  David, 
and  still  retains  it,  a  period  of  fifty-nine  years.  The  mill  pursues  the  old  method  of  mak- 
ing flour.  There  are  three  run  of  stone,  twelve  and  a  half  feet  fall  of  water,  and  can 
produce  fifty  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  There  is  a  large  planing  mill  standing  on  the  same 
property.  Michael  Butz's  grandfather's  name  was  Christian,  the  same  as  his  father. 
Michael  has  four  children,  and  six  grand  children ;  and  though  he  has  been  married  nearly 
sixty-four  years,  he  and  his  wife  are  rarely  absent  from  church  on  the  Sabbath.  When  he 
is  fresh  in  the  morning  his  mind  is  as  clear  as  in  former  times,  and  he  seems  to  enjoy  life 
as  well  as  those  who  are  many  years  younger.  While  talking  with  him  our  minds  are 
taken  back  to  the  log  cabin  days. 

The  fourth  mill  was  owned  by  Judge  Daniel  Wagner,  now  used  as  a  plaster  mill ; 
water- fall  fifteen  feet;  turbine  wheel  is  used.  The  old  homestead  is  still  standing  close 
by  the  mill.  It  was  once  a  fine  mansion,  but  now  shows  the  marks  of  time's  hard 
fingers.  The  following  sketch  of  the  Wagner  family  was  kept  by  Mrs.  Elizabeth  B. 
Ricker,  and  published  by  request:  "Mr.  David  Wagner  was  born  in  Silesia,  Gennany, 
May  24,  1736.  His  mother,  then  a  widow,  with  a  colony  from  that  place,  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  the  year  1740,  on  account  of  religious  persecution,  and  settled  in 
Bucks  county,  in  this  state,  with  her  two  children,  David  and  Christopher,  aged  respect- 
ively four  and  eight  years.  The  son  David  married  Miss  Susanna  Umstead,  and  raised  a 
family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  About  100  years  ago  he  purchased  a  tradl  of 
land  of  'the  Penns,  the  heirs  of  William  Penn,'  situated  on  both  sides  of  the  Bush- 
kill,  a  short  distance  above  Easton,  and  moved  thereon."  The  author  examined  the 
records,  and  found  the  purchase  took  place  June  6,  1785.  The  tradl  consisted  of  sixty- 
five  acres,  for  which  he  paid  260  ^  6  s.  The  deed  was  recorded  May  24,  1786.  This  fixes 
the  date  quite  clearly  when  David  Wagner  began  his  enterprise.  "The  Easton  Cemetery 
grounds  are  now  a  portion  of  that  tra6t  of  land,  where  his  remains  lie  in  the  plot  of  his 
son  David,  southwest  of  the  chapel.  His  death  occurred  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age. 
His  mother  and  her  son,  Christopher,  remained  in  Bucks  coiinty,  near  Gennantown. " 
David,  the  son  of  David  Wagner,  of  Silesia,  was  five  years  old  when  his  father  moved  to 
Easton  to  settle  on  his  lands  on  the  Bushkill,'  and  he  lived  seventy-nine  years  on  the 
old  homestead,  when  he  departed  this  life;  and  that  beautiful  home  is  still  in  the 
Wagner  family.  "David  Wagner,  of  Germany,  had  thirty-seven  grown  up  grandchildren, 
five  of  whom  are  still  living:  Michael  Butz,  John  Wagner,  of  Allentown,  and  his  sister, 
Mary  Dobins,  Jacob  B.  Wagner,  and  his  sister,  Elizabeth  B.  Ricker,  of  Easton.  The 
three  daughters  of  David  Wagner,  of  Silesia,  were  married  respectively  to  Adam  Deshler, 
Jacob  Mixsell,  and  Christian  Butz.  The  names  of  the  four  sons  are:  John,  who  married 
a  Miss  Deshler;  Daniel,  who  married  a  Miss  Opp;  David,  who  married  a  Miss  Bidelman; 
and  Adam,  who  died  a  single  man.  The  great-grandchildren  are  too  numerous  to  specify, 
they  number  over  one  hundred."  Mr.  Amos  Davis,  now  over  eighty  years  old,  worked 
many  years  for  the  Wagners,  during  the  time  when  Daniel  Wagner  and  his  two  sons, 
Jacob  and  David  D.  Wagner,  were  in  partnership  in  the  milling  business.  There  is  no 
doubt  but  that  many  a  pleasant  hour  was  spent  in  talking  over  old  times  when  business 


82  THE  HISTORY  OF 

was  not  very  pressing.  This  old  gentleman  has  a  remarkable  memory',  and  takes  great 
pleasure  in  talking  of  "ye  olden  times."  Judge  Daniel's  father  had  built  a  small  house 
for  temporary-  residence,  and  had  brought  two  daughters  to  keep  house  for  the  millwrights 
while  they  built  the  mill.  During  the  absence  of  papa  they  became  very  home-sick,  and 
they  persuaded  the  workmen  to  go  home;  and,  early  on  Saturday  morning,  they  started 
for  ' '  home,  sweet,  sweet  home. ' '  One  of  the  sweetest  emotions  of  the  soul  is  the  love 
of  home.  And  we  cannot  wonder  that  these  young  girls  felt  lonesome  in  the  lonely  spot. 
To  hasten  their  flight  to  the  dearest  spot  on  earth,  they  took  off"  their  shoes  and  stockings 
and  went  with  sturdy  earnestness  to  the  scenes  of  their  childhood.  They  were  overtaken 
by  a  gentleman  driving  a  good  team;  they  accepted  an  invitation  to  ride;  they  knew 
mother  would  welcome  them,  and  they  knew  the  kindness  of  their  father — the  only  desire 
was  to  get  home.  We  know  nothing  of  the  reception,  but  parents  can  easily  imagine 
the  hearty  laugh  which  rang  through  the  house  when  the  daughters,  tired  with  the  long 
journey,  appeared  in  the  family  circle.  But  a  short  time  elapsed  before  the  father  and 
girls  appeared  again  on  the  banks  of  the  Bushkill.  The  mill  was  finished,  the  "dear  old 
house"  was  built,  and  father  and  mother  came,  and  with  them  came  all  the  joys  of 
home  for  the  children.  For  many  years  this  was  the  centre  of  business,  happiness,  and 
prosperity. 

About  the  year  1825,  '^^  fourth  mill  up  the  stream  from  the  Delaware  was  owned  by  Judge 
Daniel  Wagner.  The  fifth  was  owned  by  David  D.  Wagner.  The  next  was  an  oil  mill, 
now  in  ruins.  The  next  was  Judge  Wagner's  new  mill.  This  is  a  paint  mill,  used 
for  grinding  mineral  paint,  and  owned  by  Mr.  J.  Rodenbongh.  The  author  called  at  the 
mill  and  heard  the  busy  hum  of  the  machinery,  but  did  not  enter  the  building.  Here 
is  a  water-fall  of  seven  feet.  The  next  is  Lehicton  mills.  These  mills  were  owned  by 
Herster  and  Barnet,  and  are  now  owned  by  Joseph  T.  Williams.  Herster  and  Bamet  had 
a  distiller}',  and  the  old  building  is  yet  standing  on  the  right  bank  of  the  stream.  This 
is  a  beautiful  spot,  and  was  one  of  the  busy  scenes  of  the  past.  The  hill  was  so  steep 
approaching  the  bridge  from  the  south  that  chains  were  used  to  hold  the  heavy  wagons 
from  crowding  on  the  horses. 

There  is  a  good  deal  of  business  carried  on  at  this  point.  Mr.  Williams  has  three 
mills,  a  flour  mill  and  two  mills  for  grinding  soapstone.  The  flouring  mill  is  one  of  the 
best  in  the  valley.  The  proprietor  has  expended  about  eight  thousand  dollars  in  new 
machinery  with  the  latest  improvements;  and,  to  those  who  are  fond  of  machinery-,  it 
will  pay  to  visit  the  mill.  The  machinery  consists  of  one  break  machine,  ten  sets  of 
rollers,  four  run  of  stone;  three  are  n,sed  for  feed,  one  for  the  reduction  of  middlings,  and 
one  for  flour  packing.  Water-fall  twenty  feet.  The  capacity  of  this  mill  is  seventy-five 
barrels  in  twenty-four  hours.  The  two  mineral  mills  grind  seven  tons  each  of  soapstone, 
in  twenty-four  hours,  which  is,  in  part,  taken  from  the  side  of  Chestnut  Hill,  not  half  a 
mile  distant.  There  are  several  openings  of  this  mineral  in  the  side  of  this  mountain. 
The  Eastou  Silk  Mill,  established  about  three  years  ago,  is  located  here,  and  employs 
about  two  hundred  hands.  This  business  is  conducted  by  R.  &  H.  Simon,  the  great  silk 
manufa(flurers  of  Paterson,  New  Jersey,  formerly  of  Germany.  The  mill  is  engaged  in 
what  is  called  the  throwing  department,  and  is  connedled  with  other  mills  where  the 
wca\ing  is  done. 

The  whole  region  around  Leliicl-lon   mills  ])ids  fair  to  be  a  beautiful   j>art  of  Eastou. 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


83 


\^'i 


ON   THE    BUSHKII,!,  —  THE    WAGNER    DAM,    SHOWING    OLD    WAGNER    HOMESTEAD, 
RINEK'S   ROPE   WALK   IN  THE   DISTANCE. 


Thirteenth  street  has  been  graded,  and  curbing  laid  to  the  foot  of  the  Chestnut  Hills  ;  and 
the  Commissioners  have  just  determined  to  build  a  new  bridge  across  the  stream  in  place  of 
the  old  wooden  one.  The  surface  rises  gradually  from  the  right  bank  of  the  Bushkill  up  to 
Washington  street,  and  on  this  beautiful  slope  a  number  of  handsome  and  costly  villas  have 
been  built.  The  grounds  have  been  tastefully  arranged,  adorned  with  shrubbery,  making 
homes  that  can  hardly  be  surpassed  in  beauty.  William  Laubach,  T.  L.  McKeen,  R.  and  H. 
Simon,  Jacob  Hay  and  William  Heller  have  made  their  homes  in  this  part  of  the  handsome 
little  valley.  Mr.  Joseph  T.  Williams,  who  lives  here,  is  a  warm  friend  of  William  Penn, 
and  speaks  of  making  a  small  park,  in  the  centre  of  which  he  will  place  a  statue  of  the 
kind-hearted  Quaker  in  the  attitude  of  shaking  hands  with  the  red  man. 

The  next  mill,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Joseph  Herster,  is  now  one  of  Williams' 
mineral  mills.  The  next  above  was  Sciple's  mill,  latterly  owned  by  a  Mr.  Michael,  now 
by  Gearhart  as  a  grist  mill.  The  next  was  James  Thompson's  mill,  now  Tilghman  Kep- 
ler's flour  mill.  There  was  a  distillery  connedled  with  it.  Herster  and  Col.  Samuel 
Yohe  also  had  distilleries.  The  next  mill  was  owned  by  Nathaniel  Michler,  who  also 
had  a  distillery.  The  next  was  owned  by  Kemmerer.  The  next  was  Messinger's  clover 
mill,  now  Messinger's  flour  mill.  The  next  was  Judge  Wagner's  upper  mill,  now  owned 
by  Mrs.  Newlin,  of  Philadelphia,  a  granddaughter.  The  next  was  Woodring's  mill  at 
Stockertown.     The  next  was  Friedensthall's.     The  next  mill  was  built  and  owned  by 


84  THE  HISTORY   OF 

Jacob  Hartzell.  This  array  of  mills  and  distilleries  will  give  the  present  generation  some 
idea  of  the  extent  of  business  that  was  done  in  this  valley  and  brought  into  Easton  from 
1820  till  canals  and  railroads  came  into  acflivity.  There  were  six  distilleries  which  used 
one  thousand  bushels  of  grain  daily,  and  produced  four  gallons  of  whiskey  to  the  bushel. 
This  would  give  four  thousand  gallons  daily,  twenty-eight  thousand  gallons  per  week,  one 
million,  four  hundred  and  fifty-six  thousand  gallons  annually.  Mr.  Davis  said  that  wdiiskey 
sold  for  twenty-two  to  forty  cents  per  gallon.  He  thought  thirty  cents  would  be  a  fair 
average.  This  would  produce  an  annual  income  of  four  hundred  and  thirty-six  thousand 
and  eight  hundred  dollars.  The  rise  and  fall  in  the  price  of  whiskey  was  caused  by  the 
difference  in  the  amount  of  burning  fluid  used  in  summer  and  winter.  The  whiskey  was 
mixed  with  turpentine,  and  used  for  illuminating  purposes,  until  the  coal  oil  wells  were 
discovered.  The  refuse  grain  was  used  to  feed  hogs,  and  as  one  bushel  would  feed  five 
hogs,  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  estimate  the  number  that  might  be  raised  in  the  valley. 
These  busy  mills,  these  smoking  distilleries,  that  great  drove  of  swine,  that  great  com- 
pany of  teams  and  teamsters,  the  busy  Durham  boats,  the  sixteen  or  eighteen  hotels  filled 
with  farmers  from  the  distant  farms,  the  busy  merchants  buying  up  the  grain  and  dealing 
out  their  goods  to  the  returning  fanners,  that  great  procession  of  teams  passing  up  North- 
ampton street,  sixty  in  a  single  line  * — all  these  will  give  us  a  pi6lure  of  the  business  of 
Easton  in  those  days.  There  are  a  few  old  men  now  walking  in  the  lengthening  shadows 
of  life's  evening,  who  look  back  to  those,  in  their  minds,  halcj'on  days  of  Easton's  life, 
with  mingled  feelings  of  sadness  and  pleasure.  The  same  creek  rushes  along  its  rocky 
bed  with  its  gurgling  music,  and  anon  tumbling  over  its  artificial  water-falls,  refledling 
the  rays  of  the  sun  like  burnished  silver.  The  same  old  mills  stand  in  their  places, 
changed  by  the  hand  of  improvement.  The  same  rocky  crags  are  standing  on  the  water's 
banks,  like  quiet  sentinels  watching  the  progress  of  time,  and  guarding  the  interests  of 
the  lovely  vale,  so  like  their  former  selves  that  the  spirits  of  the  past  age  would  easily 
recognize  the  scenes  of  their  manly  toil.  But  the  Hersters,  Mixsells,  Ihries,  Kichlines, 
Wagners,  Arndts,  Thompsons,  have  bowed  to  the  resistless  touch  of  death,  and  others 
listen  to  the  busy  whirl  of  the  machinery  and  obtain  their  livelihood  from  the  same  roll- 
ing stream  that  served  those  who  have  gone  before. 

To  one  passing  up  the  valley  at  the  present  day  it  is  pleasant  to  observe  the  life  and 
adlivity  and  the  enterprise  of  those  who  now  manage  the  business.  The  author  visited  a 
few  of  the  mills  above  Lehidlon.  At  Gerhart's  mill  they  not  only  grind  grain,  but  they 
manufadlure  the  "French  burr  mill  stones."  They  have  four  run  of  stone,  and  use  a 
new  bolting  chest;  the  old  process  of  flour-making,  and  the  old  fashioned  breast  wheel  is 
used.  The  roller  process  is  to  be  introduced  this  spring.  This  mill  grinds  one  hundred 
and  twenty  bushels  a  day.  The  next  mill  visited  was  Kepler's.  The  rollers  are  used,  and 
five  run  of  stone.  This  was  formerly  James  Thompson's  mill,  to  which  a  distillery 
was  attached  which  used  two  hundred  bushels  of  grain  daily.  The  capacity  of  the  mill 
is  now  sixty-five  barrels.  The  next  mill  visited  was  that  of  Jacob  Walter.  This  mill 
has  the  new  process;  five  run  of  stone;  capacity,  one  hundred  barrels  per  day,  and 
has  a  water-fall  of  ten  feet.  It  is  the  old  Arndt  mill,  which  Jacob  Arudt  purcha.sed 
of  Mr.  Jones,  in  1760,  and  was  the  first  mill  built  on  the  stream.  In  this  spot  the  old  Ger- 
man patriot  passed  many  liaj)]))-  days,  and  ncnv  quietly  sleeps  on  the  hill,  near  the  church 

l)r,  C.ic-cii  s:iiil.  Id  the-  uriUv,  lu-  li.i.l  sti-ii  sixty  Uniiis  in  oiu-  pnici'ssioii  jjussiiij,'  up  N(irlh;iiii])Um  stri-ft. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


85 


called  by  his  name.  Not  having  time  to  call  upon  all  the  mills  in  passing  up  the  stream,  the 
author  called  at  the  flourishing  establishment  known  as  the  Empire  Agricultural  Works  at 
Stockertown.  This  industry  was  established  by  S.  S.  Messinger,  in  1857.  He  began 
the  enterprise  with  small  buildings,  and  an  investment  of  eight  hundred  dollars,  employ- 
ing one  moulder  and  one  machinist.  In  1861  the  buildings  were  enlarged,  increasing 
the  facilities  for  manufacturing;  and  threshing,  mowing  and  reaping  machines  had  been 
added,  and  capital  increased  to  about  four  thousand  dollars.  In  1873,  G.  Frank  Messinger 
was  taken  into  the  firm,  which  then  employed  thirty  hands,  with  an  investment  of  over 
forty  thousand  dollars.  In  1883,  a  machine  shop,  48x98,  four  stories  high,  and  a  moulding 
shop  or  foundry,  40x70  feet  were  ere<5led.  At  the  present  time  the  firm  is  engaged  in  the 
manufadlure  of  mowers,  reapers,  twine-binders,  horse  powers,  threshers  and  cleaners,  and 
other  fanning  implements;  employing  seventy-five  hands,  and  the  capital  invested  nearly 
one  himdred  and  forty  thousand  dollars.  A  flourishing  village  is  springing  up  around  them. 
The  name  of  Messinger  has  long  been  known  in  and  around  Easton,  and  is  of  Switz  origin. 
The  great  grandfather  of  S.  S.  Messinger  was  born  in  Switzerland  in  17 19,  and  came  to 
this  country  in  1744.  The  grandfather,  Michael  Messinger,  was  born  in  1759,  in  Forks, 
now  Palmer  township,  in  the  place  called  Jacob  Walter's  upper  mill.  George  W.  Mes- 
singer, the  father  of  Samuel,  was  born  in  1797,  in  Palmer  township,  in  a  locality 
known  by  the  name  of  Messinger  since  1872. 

The  writer  has  taken  a  good  deal  of  pains  to  ascertain,  as  nearly  as  pradlicable,  the 
difference  in  altitude  between  the  mill-dams  at  Stockertown  and  the  Delaware  at  Easton. 
The  water-fall  of  all  the  mills  visited  was  carefully  noted,  and  one  of  the  millers,  well 
acquainted  with  the  mills  above,  gave  the  amount  of  fall  at  each  mill — the  united  fall  of 
all  the  dams  being  167  feet.  Mr.  Williams,  who  accompanied  the  writer  to  Stockertown, 
helped  to  form  an  idea  of  the  lost  power  between  the  several  dams  and  the  dead  water 
below  them,  and  a  conclusion  was  reached  that  it  amounted  in  altitude  to  about  fifty 
feet.  This  may  be  nearly  correal,  and  added  to  the  fall  of  the  several  dams  would 
make  two  himdred  and  seventeen  feet.  The  average  water-fall  is  thirty-two  and  a  third 
feet  to  the  mile.  Count  Zinzendorf  crossed  this  stream  in  1742,  and  found  the  name  to  be 
Lehicfton.  It  was  also  called  Tatamy's  creek,  Lefevre's  creek,  and  more  recently  Lehicflon, 
and  Bushkill,  or  Bush  river,  as  Kill  properly  means  river.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the 
names  of  Lehigh  and  Lehi6lon  have  not  the  slightest  relation  to  each  other.  It  is  a  matter 
of  interest  to  know  the  altitude  of  Easton  above  tide-water.  It  is  found,  by  examining  the 
survey  of  the  Delaware  canal,  that  the  lockage  is  162.05  feet,  and  this  fixes  the  altitude  of 
Easton,  an  average  fall  of  two  and  seven  tenths  feet.  The  History  of  Luzerne  County,  page 
169,  says,  "the  Lehigh  river  rises  in  Luzerne  and  Wayne  counties;  flows  one  hundred  miles 
southwest,  and  unites  with  the  Delaware  at  Easton.  Its  headwaters  are  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  eighty-two  feet  above  tide,  and  has  an  average  fall  of  seventeen  feet  to  the  mile. ' ' 
The  History  of  the  Moravian  Church,  page  23,  says:  The  original  name  of  this  river  was 
'' Lcchait-weki,  abbreviated  by  the  Germans  in  Lecha,  and  corrupted  by  the  English  into 
Lehigh."  A  few  years  ago  Professor  Coffin  made  a  careful  survey  to  ascertain  the  height 
of  the  hills  around  Easton  above  tide-water.  He  found  the  summit  of  Mount  Olympus, 
the  highest  point  north  of  the  college  campus,  to  be  seven  hundred  and  fifty-two  feet. 
One  hundred  and  sixty-two  feet  taken  from  seven  hundred  and  fifty-two  feet,  leaves  the 
height  of  Mount  Olympus  to  be  five  hundred  and  ninety  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 


86  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Delaware.  It  seems  difficult  to  close  this  chapter  without  referring  to  the  beaiity  of  the 
scenery  of  the  Bushkill.  If  ever  there  was  singular  truthfulness  in  the  expression, 
"Distance  lends  enchantment  to  the  scene,"  we  seem  to  find  it  so  in  the  scener\-  along 
this  busy  little  valley.  Those  bom  and  reared  amid  these  wild  and  fantastic  beauties 
pass  along  the  busy  whirl  of  life  without  stopping  to  admire  these  mountain  crags  and 
rocky  battlements  reared  by  the  Creator's  hands.  Here  and  there  one  of  our  citizens  will 
pause  and  admire,  as  he  stands  on  some  eminence,  the  wild,  irregular  display  of  hills  and 
valleys  and  mountains,  and  give  expression  to  his  emotions  as  his  eyes  run  over  the  glories 
of  the  landscape.  But  the  stranger  of  taste  gazes  and  admires,  and  never  forgets  these 
beautiful  exhibitions  of  the  wisdom  and  power  of  the  Divine  Architect.  It  is  the  theory' 
of  geologists,  that  such  gaps  as  that  of  the  Delaware,  and  Lehiclon  Pass  on  the  Bushkill, 
are  the  effe6l  of  river  erosions ;  and  the  close  obser\'er  will  have  his  faith  somewhat 
shaken  in  the  theory  if  he  will  ramble  up  our  little  valley.  But,  leaving  that  question 
for  geologists  to  settle,  let  us  take  a  walk  up  the  valley  whose  banks  have  so  often  been 
trodden  by  the  feet  of  the  old  Indian  chief  who  clung  so  faithfully  to  the  warm-hearted 
Brainerd,  and  who  buried  his  hatchet  and  put  away  his  scalping  knife  when  the  waters 
of  Christian  baptism  fell  upon  his  dusky  brow.  If  the  stranger  should  attempt  to  examine 
the  scenery  along  the  stream,  he  would  be  interested  in  the  appearance  of  the  abrupt  sides 
of  Mount  Lafayette  rising  nearly  two  hundred  feet,  and  the  gentle  slope  of  the  opposite 
bank  where  the  buildings  of  Easton  crowd  close  to  the  shore.  He  would  pass  but  a  short 
distance,  and  find  Mount  Jefferson,  on  whose  summit  buildings  have  been  erected,  to  be 
of  equal  altitude,  and  whose  precipitous  side,  facing  the  stream  on  the  opposite  bank,  is 
almost  perpendicular.  It  is  rare  that  such  rugged,  rocky  heights  are  found  on  streams  so 
small  and  so  near  large  populations.  This  wild,  rocky  eminence  is  of  solid  limestone.  Fol- 
lowing the  stream  we  turn  to  the  right,  at  an  angle  of  90°.  The  stream,  dammed  below, 
is  as  smooth  as  glass,  from  whose  bank  the  land  surface  gradually  rises  to  the  beautiful 
City  of  the  Dead,  while  on  the  right  we  again  pass  under  another  over-shadowing  mountain 
whose  sides  give  evidence  of  the  mighty  upheaving  forces  which  have  broken  these  limestone 
ledges  into  fantastic  shapes.  Here  are  Wagner's  mills  on  our  left,  and  the  old  familv 
mansion,  nearly  a  hundred  years  old.  Joys  and  sorrows  have  swept  over  the  family  circle 
whose  members  sleep  so  quietly  near  by.  And  now  the  music  of  this  beautiful  water- 
fall strikes  our  ears,  and  it  is  none  the  less  beautiful  because  it  is  artificial.  The  mountain 
is  covered  with  trees  and  shrubber}'  clothed  with  the  fresh,  green  tints  of  spring-time. 
The  low  rumbling  of  the  mills,  the  dashing  of  the  falling  water,  the  joyous  notes  of  the 
birds,  the  sighing  of  the  winds  through  the  forest  trees,  all  help  to  make  this  a  most 
charming  spot  for  the  lover  of  nature  to  hold  communion  with  her  in  her  simple  and  most 
lovely  forms.  We  turn  again  at  an  equal  angle  to  the  left.  Just  across  the  stream  is  a 
beautiful  forest;  not  a  tree  should  ever  be  touched  by  the  axe.  Easton  should  see  to  it 
that  it  is  preser\-ed  for  a  public  park.  As  Easton  increases  in  population,  and  "lovely 
Lafayette"  expands  in  her  future  growth,  every  rod  of  this  valley  will  become  classic 
ground.  It  will  be  very  difficult  to  find  a  more  beautiful  drive-way  than  this  can  be  made. 
At  this  point  the  Chestnut  Hills  crowd  close  to  the  road-way,  sometimes  in  lofty  lime- 
stone ledges,  and  anon  retreating  up  the  beautiful  green  slopes  to  the  height  of  five  hun- 
dred feet.  At  Lehidlon  pass,  the  range  is  abruptly  severed,  and  a  large  mass  of  rock  has 
been  removed  to  make  it  more  safe  for  general  travel.     The  children  take  a  good  deal  of 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  87 

interest  in  visiting  this  pass.  There  are  two  caves  here,  called  big  devil's  cave  and  little 
devil's  cave;  one  on  each  side  of  the  river.  And  there  is  an  idea  among  the  children  that 
the  two  caves  are  united  by  a  passage  under  the  stream,  but  none  of  them  have  ever  ven- 
tured to  explore  its  dark  passage  ways.  Emerging  from  the  Lehidlon  pass  on  our  way  up 
the  stream,  there  is  much  of  beauty  in  the  varying  landscape.  As  we  approach  Mes- 
singer's  manufadluring  establishment,  the  abruptness  of  the  hills  disappears,  and  the 
valley  spreads  out  in  well  cultivated  fields,  gradually  rising  on  either  side  of  the  stream; 
beautiful  farms,  comfortable  dwellings,  and  happy  homes  are  scattered  over  the  scene. 
Stockertown  is  near  at  hand,  the  old  Forks  Church  not  far  away,  and  the  burjing  ground 
of  this  church  contains  the  remains  of  the  father  of  the  late  eminent  Dr.  Gross.  In  this 
part  of  the  valley  Dr._.Gross  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood.  He  was  one  of  the  early 
teachers  in  Lafayette  College.  He  made  the  autopsy  of  the  body  of  Getter's  wife,  and 
was  a  witness  in  the  trial  of  Getter.  Dr.  Gross  was  an  honor  to  his  profession,  a  finished 
scholar,  a  genial  gentleman,  who  had  obtained  a  world-wide  reputation  long  before  his 
quite  recent  death.  A  railroad  is  already  graded  to  near  Messinger's  mills.  The  interest 
of  commerce  may  demand  it,  but  the  lovers  of  nature  would  be  sorry  to  see  the  beautiful 
valley  marred  by  the  presence  of  a  railroad. 

Note. — Just  as  this  number  was  about  going  to  press  the  author  found  a  copj'  of  Heckewelder's  Indian 
names.  In  it  the  names  of  the  Delaware,  Lehigh  and  Bushkill  are  found.  Delaware  river — "  Lenapewihituk, 
Indian  river,  and  Kithaune,  the  largest  river  in  that  part  of  the  country.''  "  Lehikton  ;  Leheighton ; 
Lehicfton ;  Lawithanne — the  proper  name  for  the  Bush  Kill  by  Easton.  The  word  signifies  a  stream  bettveen 
others.''  "Lehigh  ;  Lecha;  neither  of  these  words  was  the  proper  name  for  this  river,  which  was  only  known 
to  the  Indians  by  the  great  crossing  place  on  it.  The  Indians  have  three  general  words  by  which  they  distin- 
guish that  which  resembles  a  fork.  They  say  Lechaiiwe/ri,  or  Lechainvekink,  when  they  speak  of  the  country 
we  call  the  forks."  It  looks  very  much  as  if  Zinzindorf 's  derivation  of  the  name  Lehigh  was  the  correct  one. 
"Eastontown — Lechauwitank,  the  town  within  the  fortes." 


THE  FATE  OF  A  FLIRT  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

"  Whether  the  charmer  sinner  it,  or  saint  it, 
If  folly  grow  romantic,  I  must  paint  it." — POPE. 

The  following  incident,  which  occurred  years  ago,  will  throw  a  light  upon  the  man- 
ners of  olden  times  in  the  quiet  village  of  Easton.  The  story  was  written  many  years 
since  by  Mrs.  E.  F.  Ellet,  for  Godey's  Lady's  Book,  and  later  was  published  in  the  History 
of  the  Lehigh  Valley.  Knowing  that  it  will  prove  interesting  reading,  not  only  from  the 
fadl  of  its  being  a  faithful  narrative,  but  from  its  having  emanated  from  the  pen  of  so 
distinguished  a  writer,  we  insert  it  here  entire.  The  house  in  which  the  vidlim  of  the 
tale  lived,  stood  where  Thomas  T.  Miller's  hardware  store  now  stands,  and  the  pond  of 
water  centred  where  Shipman's  stables  are,  so  that  the  sturdy  Gennan  women  did  not 
have  far  to  lead  the  object  of  their  rage.  Their  sole  purpose  was  to  punish,  not  to  mur- 
der, their  vi6lim. 

Some  eighty  years  ago,  the  now  flourishing  town  of  Easton,  on  the  Delaware,  was  but  a  small  settlement 
in  one  of  the  remote  and  comparatively  wild  portions  of  Pennsylvania.  At  the  present  day,  the  compaaiy 
built  town  fills  the  space  between  the  mountains  and  the  two  rivers  that  here  form  a  junftion,  while  their  banks 
are  lined  with  busy  manufaAories  and  the  dwellings  of  men.     The  lofty  hills  that  rise  abruptly  from  the  plain, 


88  THE  HISTORY  OF 

or  overhang  the  waters,  are  cultivated  in  spots;  and  the  patches  of  woodland  here  and  there  seemed  spared  for 
the  purpose  of  adorning  the  landscape,  and  affording  secluded  walks  to  the  wanderers  who  love  the  beauty  of 
nature.  At  the  period  to  which  our  tale  carries  us  back,  the  scenen,-  of  this  beautiful  region  was  not  less 
enchanting,  though  far  more  wild  and  savage.  A  dense  forest  then  covered  the  mountains  to  their  rocky 
summits,  and  bordered  the  rivers  for  many  miles;  the  valley,  through  which  flows  a  sweet  stream  to  mingle 
with  the  Delaware,  was  dark  with  the  shadow  of  primeval  woods,  and  the  waters,  untroubled  by  the  different 
manufactories  for  the  uses  of  which  their  streams  have  since  been  diverted,  swept  in  calm  majesty  along  their 
time-worn  channel,  scarceU-  knowing  the  difference  of  seasons.  Not  far  from  the  Delaware,  a  double  row  of 
low-roofed,  quaint-looking  stone  houses  formed  the  most  populous  part  of  the  settlement.  Other  dwellings, 
scattered  about  in  different  directions,  were  built  in  the  same  style,  and  e%-idently  inhabited  by  the  same  sturdy 
and  primitive  Dutch  population.  Many  of  these  houses  are  still  standing,  and  give  a  character  to  the  appearance 
of  the  whole  place.  It  has  been  often  remarked  how  unchangingly,  from  one  generation  to  another,  the  habits 
of  the  Dutch  people  are  preser\-ed  by  their  descendants,  gi\4ng  a  monotony  to  their  life  and  manners,  while 
their  more  nmtable  neighbors  are  yielding  themselves,  day  by  day,  to  the  law  of  progress.  This  inveterate 
attachment  to  the  old  order  of  things,  and  aversion  to  innovations,  peculiar  to  their  nation,  kept  the  ancient 
inhabitants  of  Easton  in  the  same  condition  with  their  forefathers,  notwithstanding  the  improvements  introduced 
from  European  cities  into  other  parts  of  the  colony.  Philadelphia,  though  at  that  time  but  a  \-illage  in  com- 
parison to  what  it  is  now,  was  looked  npon  as  a  place  of  luxury  and  corruption  dangerous  to  the  morals  of 
youth.  Few  of  the  families  composing  the  settlement  at  Easton  had  ever  been  there,  or  had  \4sited  any  other 
of  the  provincial  cities.  They  sought  no  intercourse  with  the  world's  great  Babel,  content  with  the  information 
that  reached  them  regularly  once  a  week  with  the  newspapers  brought  by  the  post-boy,  which  were  loaned  to 
the  neighbors  in  turn  bv  the  few  who  received  them.  Now  and  then,  it  is  true,  when  the  business  of  the  day 
was  over,  a  number  of  men  might  be  seen  seated  in  the  large  sitting-room  of  the  old  stone  tavern,  or  on  the 
veranda,  wearing  their  low-crowned,  broad-brimmed  hats,  smoking  their  pipes,  and  discussing  events  of  which 
the  rumor  had  reached  them,  when  these  were  more  stirring  than  common.  But  these  discussions  were  always 
condudted  quietly,  and  without  the  exhibition  of  any  feeling  of  partisanship.  They  were  terminated  at  a  very 
early  hour,  all  thought  of  political  matters  being  usually  dismissed  with  the  last  puff  of  their  pipes,  as  the 
worthy  mynheers  took  their  way  homewards. 

As  little  did  the  love  of  change  prevail  among  the  ^aoAfraus  of  that  day.  They  were  of  the  class  described 
by  a  distinguished  chronicler,  who  "stayed  at  home,  read  the  Bible,  and  wore  frocks."  They  wore  the  same 
antiquated  quilted  caps  atid  parti-colored  homespun  gowns,  that  were  in  fashion  in  the  days  of  the  renowned 
Wouter  Van  Twiller  ;  their  pockets  were  always  filled  with  work  and  the  implements  of  industn,-,  and  their  own 
gowns  and  their  husbands'  coats  were  exclusively  of  domestic  manufacture.  In  cleanliness  and  thrifty  house- 
wifery, they  were  excelled  by  none  who  had  gone  before,  or  who  came  after  them.  The  well-scoured  stoops 
and  entries,  fresh  and  immaculate  every  morning,  attested  the  neatness  prevailing  throughout  the  dwellings. 
The  precise  order  that  reigned  within,  in  the  departments  of  kitchen,  parlor,  and  chamber,  could  not  be  dis- 
turbed by  any  out-of-door  commotion.  Cleanliness  and  contentment  were  the  cares  of  the  household.  The 
tables  were  spread  with  the  abundance  of  the  good  old  time,  and  not  small  was  the  pride  of  those  ministering 
dames  in  setting  forth  the  viands  prepared  by  their  own  industrious  hands.  It  must  not  be  supposed  that  all 
their  care  and  frugality  were  inconsistent  with  the  dear  exercise  of  hospitality,  or  other  social  \-irtues  usually 
practised  in  every  female  community.  If  the  \-isits  paid  from  house  to  house  were  less  frequent  than  in  modern 
times,  there  was  the  same  generous  interest  in  the  concerns  of  others,  and  the  same  desire  in  each  to  save  her 
neighbor  trouble  by  kindly  taking  the  management  of  affairs  upon  herself,  evinced  by  so  many  individuals  of 
the  present  day.  In  short,  the  domestic  police  of  Easton,  at  that  remote  period,  was  apparently  as  remarkable 
for  vigilance  and  severity  in  hunting  out  offenders  as  it  has  proved  to  be  in  times  of  more  modern  cix-ilization. 

The  arrival  of  new  residents  from  the  city  was  an  event  of  importance  enough  in  itself  to  cause  no  small 
stir  in  that  quiet  comnmnity.  The  rumor  that  a  small  house,  pi<5luresquely  situated  at  the  edge  of  a  wood  some 
distance  from  the  village,  was  being  fitted  up  for  the  new  comers,  was  soon  spread  abroad,  and  gave  rise  to  many 
conje(5lures  and  surmises.  The  new  furniture  that  paraded  in  wagons  before  the  astonished  eyes  of  tlie  settlers, 
was  different  from  any  that  had  been  seen  before  ;  and,  tliough  it  would  have  been  thought  simple  enough,  or 
even  rude,  at  the  present  day,  exhibited  too  much  of  metropolitan  taste  and  luxury  to  meet  their  approval. 
Then  a  gardener  was  employed  several  days  to  set  in  order  the  surrounding  plot  of  ground,  and  set  out  rose 
bushes,  and  ornamental  plants  ;  the  fence  was  painted  gayly,  and  the  inclosure  secured  by  a  neat  gate.  A  few 
days  after,  a  light  traveling  wagon  brought  the  tenants  to  the  abode  prepared  for  them.  Within  the  memory 
of  a  generation,  liardly  any  occurrence  had  taken  place  which  excited  so  much  curiosity.  The  doors  and  win- 
dows were  crowded  with  gazers ;  and  the  younger  part  of  the  population  were  hardly  restraineil  by  parental 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  89 

authority  from  rushing  after  the  equipage.  The  female,  who  sat  with  a  boy  on  the  back  seat,  wore  a  thick  veil ; 
but  the  pleasant  face  of  a  middle-aged  man,  who  looked  about  him,  and  bowed  courteously  to  the  different 
groups,  attracted  much  attention.  The  man  who  drove  had  a  jolly  English  face,  betokening  a  very  communi- 
cative disposition  ;  nor  was  the  promise  broken  to  the  hope  ;  for  that  very  evening  the  same  personage  was 
seated  among  a  few  grave-looking  Dutchmen  who  lingered  at  the  tavern,  dealing  out  his  infonuation  liberally 
to  such  as  chose  to  question  him.  The  new  comer,  it  appeared,  was  a  member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly,  aud 
had  brought  his  family  to  rusticate  for  a  season  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware.  This  family  consisted  of  his 
English  wife,  and  a  son  about  seven  years  old.  They  had  been  accustomed,  he  said,  to  the  society  of  the  rich  and 
gay,  both  in  Philadelphia  and  in  Europe,  having  spent  some  time  in  Paris  before  their  coming  to  this  country. 

The  information  given  by  the  loquacious  driver,  who  seemed  to  think  the  village  not  a  little  honored  in  so 
distinguished  an  accession  to  its  inhabitants,  produced  no  favorable  impression.  The  honest  mynheers,  how- 
ever, were  little  inclined  to  be  hasty  in  their  judgment.  They  preferred  consulting  their  wives,  who  waited  with 
no  little  patience  for  the  Sabbath  morning,  expedling  them  to  have  a  full  opportunity  of  criticizing  their  new 
neighbors. 

They  were  doomed  to  disappointment ;  none  of  the  family  was  at  the  place  of  meeting,  although  the 
practice  of  church-going  was  one  so  time-honored,  that  a  journey  of  ten  miles  on  foot  to  attend  religious  service 
was  thought  nothing  of,  and  few,  even  of  the  most  worldly-minded,  ventured  on  an  omission.  The  non-appear- 
ance of  the  strangers  was  a  dark  omen.  The  next  day,  however,  the  dames  of  the  settlement  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  Mrs.  Winton — for  so  I  shall  call  her,  not  choosing  to  give  her  real  name — as  she  came  out  to 
purchase  a  few  articles  of  kitchen  furniture.  Her  style  of  dress  was  altogether  different  from  theirs.  Instead 
of  the  hair  pomatumed  back  from  the  forehead,  she  wore  it  in  natural  ringlets  ;  instead  of  the  short  petticoats 
in  vogue  among  the  Dutch  dames,  a  long  and  flowing  skirt  set  off  to  advantage  a  figure  of  remarkable  grace. 
At  the  first  glance,  one  could  not  but  acknowledge  her  singular  beauty.  Her  form  was  faultless  in  symmetry-, 
and  her  features  exquisitely  regular  ;  the  complexion  being  of  a  clear  brown,  set  off  by  luxuriant  black  hair, 
and  a  pair  of  brilliant  dark  eyes.  The  expression  of  these  was  not  devoid  of  a  certain  fascination,  though  it 
had  something  to  excite  distrust  in  the  simple-minded  fair  ones  who  measured  the  claims  of  the  stranger  to 
admiration.  They  could  not  help  thinking  there  was  a  want  of  innate  modesty  in  the  bold,  restless  wanderings 
of  those  eyes,  bright  as  they  were,  and  in  the  perfetl  self-possession  the  English  woman  showed  in  her  some- 
what haughty  carriage.  Her  voice,  too,  though  melodious,  was  not  low  in  its  tones,  and  her  laugh  was  merry, 
and  frequently  heard.  In  short,  she  appeared,  to  the  untutored  judgment  of  the  dames  of  the  village,  decidedly 
wanting  in  reser\'e,  and  the  softness  natural  to  youth  in  woman.  While  they  shook  their  heads,  and  were  shy 
of  conversation  with  her,  it  was  not  a  little  wonderful  to  notice  the  different  effecfl  produced  on  their  spouses. 
The  honest  Dutchmen  surveyed  the  handsome  stranger  with  undisguised  admiration,  evinced  at  first  by  a  pro- 
longed stare,  and  on  after  occasions  by  such  rough  courtesy  as  they  found  opportunity  of  showing,. with  alacrity 
offering  to  her  any  little  service  that  neighbors  might  render.  The  women,  on  the  other  hand,  became  more 
and  more  suspicious  of  her  outlandish  gear  and  her  bewitching  smiles,  lavished  with  such  profusion  upon  all 
who  came  near  her.  Her  charms,  in  their  eyes,  were  so  many  sins,  which  they  were  inclined  to  see  her  expiate, 
before  they  relented  so  far  as  to  extend  toward  her  the  civilities  of  neighborhood.  The  more  their  husbands 
praised  her,  the  more  they  stood  aloof;  and,  for  weeks  after  the  family  had  become  settled,  scarcely  any  com- 
munication of  a  friendly  nature  had  taken  place  between  her  and  any  of  the  female  population. 

Little,  however,  did  the  English  woman  appear  to  care  for  negleA  on  the  part  of  those  she  evidently 
thought  much  inferior  to  herself  She  had  plenty  of  company,  such  as  suited  her  taste,  and  no  lack  of  agreea- 
ble employment,  notwithstanding  her  persistence  in  a  habit  which  shocked  still  more  the  prejudices  of  her 
worthy  neighbors — of  leaving  her  household  labor  to  a  servant.  She  made  acquaintance  with  all  who  relished 
her  lively  conversation,  and  took  much  pleasure  in  exciting,  by  her  eccentric  manners,  the  astonishment  of  her 
long-queued  admirers.  She  was  always  affable,  and  not  only  invited  those  she  liked  to  visit  her  without  cere- 
mony, but  called  upon  them  for  any  extra  service  she  required. 

It  was  on  one  of  the  brightest  days  in  October  that  Mrs.  Winton  was  riding  with  her  son  along  a  path  lead- 
ing through  the  forest  up  the  Delaware.  The  road  wound  at  the  base  of  a  mountain,  bordering  the  river  closely, 
and  was  flanked  in  some  places  by  precipitous  rocks,  overgrown  with  shrubs,  and  shaded  by  overhanging  trees. 
The  wealth  of  foliage  appeared  to  greater  advantage,  touched  with  the  rich  tints  of  autumn— 

"With  hues  more  gay 
Than  when  the  flow'rets  bloomed,  the  trees  are  drest ; 

How  gorgeous  are  their  draperies  !  green  and  gold. 
Scarlet  and  crimson  !  like  the  glittering  vest 

Of  Israel's  priesthood,  glorious  to  behold ! 


go  THE  HISTORY   OF 

See  yonder  towering  hill,  -n-ith  forests  clad. 

How  bright  its  mantle  of  a  thousand  dyes  ! 
Edged  with  a  silver  band,  the  stream,  that  glad. 

But  silent,  winds  around  its  base. ' ' 

It  can  hardly  be  known  if  the  romantic  beauty  of  the  scene,  which  presented  itself  by  glimpses  through 
the  foliage,  the  bright  calm  river,  the  wooded  hills  and  slopes  bej-ond,  and  the  \-illage  lying  in  the  lap  of  the 
savage  forest,  called  forth  as  much  admiration  from  those  who  gazed,  as  it  has  since  from  spirits  attuned  to  a 
\-i%'id  sense  of  the  loveliness  of  nature.  The  sudden  flight  of  a  bird  from  the  bushes  startled  the  horse,  and, 
dashing  quickly  to  one  side,  he  stood  on  the  sheer  edge  of  the  precipice  overlooking  the  water.  The  next 
plunge  might  have  been  a  fatal  one,  but  that  the  bridle  was  instantly  seized  b}-  the  strong  arm  of  a  man  who 
sprang  from  the  concealment  of  the  trees.  Checking  the  frightened  animal,  he  assisted  the  dame  and  her  son 
to  dismount,  and  then  led  the  horse  for  them  to  less  dangerous  ground.  In  the  friendly  conversation  that  fol- 
lowed, the  English  woman  put  forth  all  her  powers  of  pleasing  ;  for  the  man  was  known  already  to  her  for  one 
of  the  most  respectable  of  the  settlers,  though  he  had  never  yet  sought  her  society.  His  little  service  was 
rewarded  by  a  cordial  in\-itation,  which  was  soon  followed  by  a  visit,  to  her  house. 

To  make  a  long  story  short,  not  many  weeks  had  passed  before  this  neighbor  was  an  almost  daily  visitor  ; 
and,  to  the  surprise  and  concern  of  the  whole  ^-illage,  his  example  was  in  time  followed  by  many  others  of 
those  who  might  have  been  called  the  gentn,-  of  Easton.  It  became  e\-ident  that  the  handsome  stranger  was  a 
coquette  of  the  most  unscrupulous  sort  ;  that  she  was  passionately  fond  of  the  admiration  of  the  other  se.x,  and 
was  determined  to  exacl  the  tribute  due  her  charms,  even  from  the  sons  of  the  wilderness.  She  flirted  desper- 
ately with  one  after  another,  contrixang  to  impress  each  with  the  idea  that  he  was  the  happj-  individual  espe- 
cially favored  by  her  smiles.  Her  manners  and  conversation  showed  less  and  less  regard  for  the  opinion  of 
others,  or  the  rules  of  propriety.  The  effect  of  such  a  course  of  condudl  in  a  community  so  simple  and  old- 
fashioned  in  their  customs,  so  utterly  unused  to  any  such  broad  defiance  of  censure,  may  be  more  easily  ima- 
gined than  described.  How  the  men  were  flattered  and  intoxicated  in  their  admiration  for  the  beautiful  siren, 
and  their  lessons  in  an  art  so  new  to  them  as  gallantry  ;  how  the  women  were  amazed  out  of  their  propriety,  can 
be  conceived  without  the  aid  of  philosophy-. 

Things  were  bad  enough  as  they  were ;  but  when  the  time  came  for  Mr.  Winton  to  depart  and  take  his 
place  in  the  Assembly,  the  change  was  for  the  worse.  His  handsome  wife  was  left,  with  only  her  son,  in  Easton 
for  the  winter.  Her  behavior  was  now  more  scandalous  than  ever,  and  soon  a  total  avoidance  of  her  by  every 
other  female  in  the  place  attested  their  indignation.  The  coquette  evidently  held  them  in  great  scorn,  while 
she  continued  to  receive,  in  a  still  more  marked  and  offensive  manner,  the  attentions  of  the  husbands,  whom, 
she  boasted,  she  had  taught  they  had  hearts  under  their  linsey-woolsey  coats.  Long  walks  and  rides  through 
the  woods,  attended  always  by  some  one  who  had  o-mied  the  power  of  her  beauty,  set  public  opinion  wholly  at 
defiance ;  and  the  company  at  her  fireside,  evening  after  evening,  was  well  known  to  be  not  such  as  became  a 
wife  and  mother  to  receive. 

Should  this  history  of  plain,  unvarnished  fa(5t  chance  to  meet  the  eye  of  any  fair  trifler,  who  has  been 
tempted  to  invite  or  welcome  such  homage,  let  her  pause  and  remember  that  the  wrath  of  the  injured  wives  of 
Easton  was  but  such  as  nature  must  rouse  in  the  bosom  of  the  virtuous  in  all  ages  and  countries;  and  that 
tragedies  as  deep  as  that  to  which  it  led  have  grown  from  the  like  cause,  and  may  still  do  so  at  any  period  of 
civilization. 

The  winter  months  passed,  and  spring  came  to  set  loose  the  streams,  and  fill  the  woods  with  tender  bloom 
and  verdure.  But  the  anger  of  the  justly  irritated  dames  of  Easton  had  gathered  strength  with  time.  Scarce 
one  among  the  most  conspicuous  of  the  neighborhood  but  had  particular  reason  to  have  their  common  enemy 
for  the  alienated  affections  and  monopolized  time  of  her  husband,  so  faithful  to  his  duties  before  this  fatal 
enchantment.  Complaints  were  made  by  one  to  another,  and  strange  stories  told,  which,  of  course,  lost  noth- 
ing in  their  circulation  from  mouth  to  mouth.  What  wonder  was  it  that  the  mysterious  influence  exercised  by 
the  strange  woman  should  be  attributed  to  witchcraft?  What  wonder  that  she  should  be  judged  to  hold  inter- 
course with  evil  spirits,  and  to  receive  from  them  the  power  by  which  she  subdued  men  to  her  sway  ? 

Late  in  the  afternoon  of  a  beautiful  day  in  tlie  early  part  of  June,  two  or  three  of  the  matrons  of  the  \-illage 
stationed  themselves  near  the  woods  by  which  stood  the  house  of  Mrs.  Winton.  Not  far  from  this  was  a  small 
pond,  where  the  boys  amused  themselves  in  fishing,  or  bathed  during  the  heats  of  summer.  The  spot  once 
occupied  by  this  little  body  of  water  is  now  the  central  portion  of  the  town,  and  covered  with  neat  buildings  of 
brick  and  stone. 

The  vvonicM  h.id  come  forth  to  watch  ;  nor  was  llieir  vigilance  long  unrewardcl.     Thev  saw  Mrs.  Winton, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


91 


accompanied  by  one  of  her  gallants,  dressed  with  a  care  that  showed  his  anxiety  to  please,  walking  slowly  along 
the  borders  of  the  woods.  The  sun  had  set,  and  the  gray  shadows  of  twilight  were  creeping  over  the  land- 
scape ;  yet  it  was  evidently  not  her  intention  to  return  home.  As  it  grew  darker,  the  two  entered  the  woods, 
the  female  taking  the  arm  of  her  companion,  and  presently  both  disappeared. 

"There  he  goes !"  exclaimed  one  of  the  women  who  watched,  with  fierce  anger  in  her  looks,  for  it  was  her 
husband  she  had  seen.     "I  knew  it;  I  knew  he  spent  every  evening  with  her!" 

"Shall  we  follow  them?"  asked  the  other. 

"No  !  no  !  let  us  go  home  quick  !"  was  the  answer. 

Such  a  scene  as  the  night  witnessed  was  never  before  enafted  in  that  quiet  village.  At  a  late  hour  there 
was  a  meeting  of  many  of  the  matrons  in  the  house  of  one  of  their  number.  The  curtains  were  closely  drawn  ; 
the  light  was  so  dim  that  the  faces  of  those  who  whispered  together  could  scarcelyy  be  discerned.  There  was 
something  fearful  in  the  assemblage,  at  such  an  unwonted  time,  of  those  orderly  housewives,  so  unaccustomed 
ever  to  leave  their  homes  after  dusk.  The  circumstance  of  their  meeting  alone  betokened  something  uncom- 
mon in  agitation.  Still  more  did  the  silence,  hushed  and  breathless  at  intervals,  the  eager,  but  suppressed 
whispering,  the  rapid  gestures,  the  general  air  of  determination  mingled  with  caution.  It  struck  midnight ; 
they  made  signs  one  to  another,  and  the  light  was  extinguished. 

It  was  perhaps  an  hour  or  more  after,  when  the  same  band  of  women  left  the  house,  and  took  their  way,  in 
profound  silence,  along  the  road  leading  out  of  the  village.  By  a  roundabout  course,  skirting  the  small  body 
of  water  above  mentioned,  they  came  to  the  border  of  the  woods.  Just  then  the  waning  moon  rose  above  the 
forest  tops,  shedding  a  faint  light  over  hill  and  stream.  It  could  then  be  seen  that  the  females  all  wore  a  kind 
of  mask  of  black  stuff.  Their  course  was  direfted  towards  the  English  woman's  house,  which  they  approached 
with  stealthy  and  noiseless  steps. 

A  few  moments  of  silence  passed,  after  they  had  disappeared,  and  then  a  wild  shriek  was  heard,  and  others 
fainter  and  fainter,  like  the  voice  of  one  in  agony  struggling  to  cry  out,  and  stifled  by  powerful  hands.  The 
women  rushed  from  the  woods,  dragging  with  them  their  helpless  vi(5lim,  whom  they  had  gagged,  so  that  she 
could  not  even  supplicate  their  mercy.  Another  cry  was  presently  heard — the  wail  of  a  terrified  child.  The 
little  boy,  roused  from  sleep  by  the  screams  of  his  mother,  ran  towards  her  captors,  and  throwing  himself  on 
his  knees,  begged  for  her  in  piteous  accents  and  with  streaming  tears. 

"Take  him  away  !"  cried  .several  together;  and  one  of  their  number,  snatching  up  the  child,  ran  off  with 
him  at  her  utmost  speed,  and  did  not  return. 

The  others  proceeded  quickly  to  their  mission  of  vengeance.  Dragging  the  helpless  dame  to  the  pond, 
they  rushed  into  it,  heedless  of  risk  to  themselves,  till  they  stood  in  deep  water.  Then  each,  in  turn,  seizing 
her  enemy  by  the  shoulders,  plunged  her  in,  head  and  all,  crying  as  she  did  so,  "This  is  for  my  husband!" 
"And  this  for  mine!"  "This  for  mine!"  was  echoed,  with  the  plunges,  in  quick  succession,  till  the  work  of 
retribution  was  accomplished,  and  the  party  hurried  to  shore. 

Startled  by  a  noise  as  of  some  one  approaching,  the  disguised  avengers  fled,  leaving  their  viftim  on  the 
bank,  and  lost  no  time  in  hastening  homeward.  The  dawn  of  day  disclosed  a  dreadful  catastrophe  :  Dame 
Winton  was  found  dead  beside  the  water.  There  was  evidence  enough  that  she  had  perished,  not  by  accident, 
but  violence.     Who  could  have  done  the  deed  ? 

The  occurrence  caused  great  commotion  in  Easton,  as  it  was  but  natural  it  should ;  but  it  was  never  dis- 
covered with  certainty  who  were  the  perpetrators  of  the  murder.  Suspicion  fell  on  several ;  but  they  were 
prudent  enough  to  keep  silence,  and  nothing  could  be  proved  against  them.  Perhaps  the  more  prominent 
among  the  men,  who  should  have  taken  upon  themselves  the  investigation  of  the  affair,  had  their  own  reasons 
for  passing  it  over  rather  slightly.  It  was  beyond  doubt,  too,  that  acflual  murder  had  not  been  designed  by  the 
a<?tors  in  the  tragedy  ;  but  simply  the  punishment  assigned  to  wntchcraft  by  popular  usage.  So  the  matter  was 
not  long  agitated,  though  it  was  for  many  years  a  subjecfl  of  conversation  among  those  who  had  no  interest  in 
hushing  it  up ;  and  the  story  served  as  a  warning  to  give  point  to  the  lessons  of  careful  mothers. 

It  was  for  a  long  time  believed  that  the  ghost  of  the  unfortunate  English  woman  haunted  the  spot  where 
she  had  died.  Nor  did  the  belief  cease  to  prevail  long  after  the  pond  was  drained,  and  the  woods  felled,  and 
the  space  built  over.  A  stable  belonging  to  a  gentleman  with  whom  I  am  acquainted  stands  near  the  place.  I 
have  heard  him  relate  how  one  of  his  servants,  who  had  never  heard  the  story  had  rushed  in  one  night,  much 
alarmed,  to  say  that  he  had  seen  a  female  figure,  in  old-fashioned  cap  and  white  gown,  standing  at  the  door  of 
the  stable.  Another  friend,  who  resides  near,  was  told  by  his  domestic  that  a  strange  woman  had  stood  at  the 
back  gate,  who  had  suddenly  disappeared  when  asked  who  she  was.  Thus  there  seems  ground  enough  to 
excuse  the  belief  even  now  prevalent  among  the  common  people  in  Easton,  that  the  spirit  still  walks  at  night 
about  that  porton  of  the  town. 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


ARNDT   FAMILY. 

By  the  inscription  on  the  tombstone  in  the  grave-yard  at  the  Amdt  Church  we  learn 
that  Jacob  Arndt  was  bom  in  Germany,  March  12,  1725.  The  father  of  Jacob  was  Bern- 
hard  Arndt.  The  family  moved  to  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  in  Bucks  county,  when 
Jacob  was  quite  young.  The  inscription  tells  us  that  Jacob  Arndt  served  his  God  and 
and  king  faithfully,  and  in  and  after  the  Revolution  he  served  the  republic.  When  he 
was  twenty-six  years  old  he  commanded  a  compau}-  of  volunteers,  and  marched  with  King 
Teedyuscung  from  Bethlehem  to  Fort  Allen  (Col.  Rec,  pages  267  and  723)  in  1 756-1 757. 
He  rose  to  the  distindlion  of  Major,  and  was  the  commander  of  the  first  company  of  vol- 
unteers raised  in  Easton,  in  the  Pontiac  war,  in  1763.  In  1760,  Jacob  Amdt  purchased  a 
mill  property,  the  first  in  the  valley  of  the  Bushkill,  of  John  Jones.  The  mill  is  now 
owned  bv  Jacob  Walter,  but  is  still  known  by  the  name  of  Arndt's  mill,  near  the  old  church 
which  bears  his  name.  The  Committee  of  Safety  was  eledled  by  qualified  voters,  and 
Jacob  Arndt's  name  was  third  on  the  list.  When  the  Standing  Committee  was  appointed, 
which  was  to  have  the  business  principally  in  hand,  Jacob  Arndt's  name  was  first  from 
Forks  township.  The  question  was  put,  "shall  we  consider  all  who  will  not  join  in  asso- 
ciation with  us  as  enemies,  and  withdraw  all  business  relations  with  them?"  The  answer 
was  in  the  affinnative,  and  unanimous.  Mr.  Arndt  stood  firm  in  the  darkest  and  most 
painful  hours  of  that  eventful  struggle,  which  was  to  procure  freedom  for  a  continent. 
Few  names  shine  more  brightly  in  that  glorious  contest  than  that  of  Jacob  Arndt.  He 
deserves  a  much  prouder  monument  than  the  humble  one  which  marks  his  grave.  Mr. 
Arndt,  George  Taylor,  Peter  Kichline,  John  Okely,  and  Lewis  Gordon  were  ele6led  mem- 
bers of  the  convention  to  form  a  constitution  for  the  state  in  1774.  In  1776  he  was  a 
member  of  the  E.xecutive  Council  of  the  state.  He  removed  to  Easton  in  1796,  from  his 
mill.  His  son  John  wrote  to  Dr.  Gross  concerning  the  health  of  his  father  in  1803, 
saying:  "Respedling  his  health  it  is  tolerable  for  one  of  his  age,  but  time  has  and  con- 
tinues to  press  heavily  upon  him.  His  eyesight  is  almost  gone;  his  feet  begin  to  get 
weak,  and  cannot,  for  a  long  time,  bear  the  weight  of  his  body;  but  his  appetite  is  good, 
and  to  live  happy  and  contented  depends  upon  himself"  He  died  in  1805.  It  is  pleasant 
to  stand  by  the  grave  of  such  an  one;  it  seems  like  holy  ground. 

His  son  John  sleeps  close  by  his  side;  a  worthy  son  of  a  noble  sire.  He  was  born, 
June  5,  1748,  and  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age  when  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  adopted.  He  entered  into  the  contest  with  the  same  zeal  which  charadlerized  his 
father.  When  the  news  came  to  town  that  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  adopted, 
the  little  town  was  soon  in  great  commotion.  No  one  need  doubt  long  on  which  side  the 
sturdy  Germans  would  stand.  Captain  Abraham  Labar,  with  his  company,  paraded  the 
streets,  with  drums  beating  and  the  shrill  notes  of  the  fife  ringing  among  the  hills;  the  new 
flag  was  thrown  to  the  breeze,  and  the  whole  population  of  the  town  fell  into  line. 
"They  met  in  the  Court  Hou.se,  where  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  by 
Robert  Levers."  The  town  consisted,  at  this  time,  of  about  seventy  houses,  mostly  of 
one-story  log  houses.  Washington  had  driven  the  English  Fleet  out  of  Boston  harbor, 
and  he  sup]ioscd  New  York  would  next  be  in  danger.  .\  company  was  imTuediately 
fornud  in  X()nliani])t()n  county,  nuuil)i.ring  (.■iglity-scvcn   men,  and  Jolin   Arndt  was  the 


i 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


93 


Captain  and  Peter  Kichline  Second  Lieutenant.  The  company  waited  some  days  for  arms, 
but  the  Committee  of  Safety  ordered  them  to  march  to  the  army  of  General  Wash- 
ington, with  or  without  arms,  and  arms  were  supplied  at  the  front.  The  company  obeyed, 
and  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  The  company  rallied  at  Elizabethtown  next  day, 
having  only  thirty-three  men.  Captain  Arndt  was  severely  wounded,  and  both  he  and 
Kichline  were  taken  prisoners.  After  his  release  from  confinement  he  returned  to 
Easton,  in  September,  1780,  and  was  appointed  a  commissary  with  David  Deshler  for 
supplying  the  sick  and  disabled  troops  with  the  necessaries  of  life — not  only  to  supply 
the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  but  widows  and  orphans  of  fallen  patriots,  and  this  was 
done  with  an  unselfish  devotion.  After  Captain  Arndt  had  returned,  a  story  was  started 
by  a  tory  to  the  effecfl  that  he  hid  behind  a  barn  on  the  battle-field,  to  shield  himself  from 
British  bullets.  The  captain  brought  a  complaint  before  the  Committee  of  Safety.  A 
warrant  was  put  into  the  hands  of  a  constable,  with  orders  to  arrest  the  man  who  started 
the  slander,  and  bring  him  before  the  Committee  forthwith.  The  culprit  was  soon  in  their 
dread  presence.  He  was  found  guilty,  and  was  very  quickly  disposed  of  He  must  make 
an  acknowledgment,  ask  the  captain's  pardon,  promise  not  to  repeat  the  story,  or  go  to 
jail  till  further  orders.  He  paid  his  fine  and  costs,  made  due  acknowledgment,  and  went 
home,  refle(5ling  upon  the  fa6l  that  he  was  in  the  midst  of  a  Revolution,  and  had  stern 
men  to  deal  with.  John  Arndt  was  adlive  through  the  entire  course  of  the  war,  frequently  in 
correspondence  with  the  president  of  the  commonwealth,  and  handled  large  sums  of  money 
for  the  public.  He  came  to  the  front  in  a  time  which  "tried  men's  souls."  Where  there 
was  danger  and  toil,  John  Arndt  was  found.  His  life,  his  fortune  and  sacred  honor  were  laid 
upon  the  altar  of  liberty.  He  frequently  advanced  money  out  of  his  own  pocket  to  help 
on  the  cause  of  freedom.  "In  1777,  he  was  appointed  Register  of  Wills,  Recorder  of 
Deeds,  and  Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court,"  and  was  an  efficient  member  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety.  In  1783,  he  was  ele6led  a  representative  in  the  Council  of  the  Censors,  to  propose 
amendments  to  the  Constitution  of  Pennsylvania.  "In  1783,  Dickinson  College,  at  Car- 
lisle, was  incorporated,  of  which  John  Arndt  was  appointed  one  of  the  Trustees.  He 
was  chosen  one  of  the  Eledlors  of  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  and 
cheerfully  gave  his  vote  for  the  illustrious  Washington;  was  a  candidate  for  Congress, 
but  defeated  by  a  small  majority."  He  died  in  1814,  without  a  stain  upon  his  characfler 
as  a  soldier  and  citizen. 

It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  the  historian  to  place  such  names  where  they  can  be  plainly 
read,  and  their  virtues  remembered  by  the  thoughtful  student  for  generations  to  come. 
These  two  men  were  Germans:  the  first  born  in  Fatherland;  and  the  second,  though  born 
in  America,  had  his  cradle  encircled  by  all  the  influences  of  German  life.  He  was  lulled 
to  sleep  by  the  sweet  German  lullaby,  sung  by  his  German  mother.  All  the  stories  his 
parents  told  him  were  of  German  life.  A  protestant  German  king  was  on  the  throne  of 
England.  The  English  people  had  received  the  fleeing  Palatines  with  open  arms  and 
generously  gave  them  a  home.  There  seemed  many  reasons  why  they  should  cling  to 
the  English  throne  for  prote<?tion,  and  be  slow  to  lay  aside  their  allegiance  to  a  friendly 
German  king.  But  strange  as  it  may  seem,  the  hour  when  the  songs  of  freedom  were 
sung,  and  the  tocsin  of  war  was  sounded,  they  began  to  use  the  bullet  moulds,  put  their 
muskets  in  order,  and  prepare  for  battle.  They  had  suffered  under  the  weight  of  thrones, 
and  by  the  rough  hand  of  religious  persecution;  and  perhaps  they  thought  the  time  had 


94 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


come  when  they  might  dispense  with  those  costly  implements  of  human  government. 
They  may  have  felt  somewhat  as  the  poet  did  when  he  penned  the  following  beautiful 
lines: 

"Land  of  the  West !  beneath  the  Heaven 
There's  not  a  fairer,  lovelier  clime ; 
Nor  one  to  which  was  ever  given 
A  destiny  more  high,  sublime. 

From  Allegheny's  base  to  where 

Our  Western  Andes  prop  the  sky — 
The  home  of  Freedom's  hearts  is  there, 

And  o'er  it  Freedom's  eagles  fl}'." 

But  whatever  was  the  reason,  the  German  soldiers  came  nobly  to  the  rescue  of  human 
freedom.  These  men  ' '  pledged  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor. ' '  Their 
lives  and  fortunes  might  perish,  but  honor  and  liberty^  never. 

Squire  Benjamin  Arndt,  so  well  known  to  many  now  living,  was  a  son  of  John  Arndt. 
He  was  under  arms  in  1812,  but  not  in  any  battle.  He  was  a  man  of  decided  opinions, 
and  did  not  fear  to  follow  them  to  their  legitimate  and  logical  conclusions.  This  was  well 
illustrated  while  living  in  Forks  township.  Joseph  Ritter  was  nominated  for  govemer  of 
Pennsylvania.  Arndt  was  an  old  line  Whig,  and  the  only  one  in  the  township;  but  he 
walked  to  the  polls  and  cast  his  solitary  vote  with  as  much  firmness  as  if  he  had  been  in  the 
majority.  Those  were  times  when  party  work  was  apt  to  be  rewarded.  "To  the  victors 
belong  the  spoils"  was  the  battle  cry  for  all  parties,  and  Benjamin  Anidt  stood  out  in  lines 
too  clear  to  be  overlooked.  He  went  to  Harrisburg  and  asked  for  the  position  of  Clerk 
of  the  Orphans'  Court,  and  his  request  was  readily  granted,  and  the  duties  were  well  per- 
fonned.  That  he  was  a  man  of  integrity  is  evident  from  the  fadl  that,  though  he  was  a 
decided  Whig,  he  was  elecfted  to  office  by  Democrats.  "He  was  the  tenth  Postmaster, 
and  was  appointed  by  President  Taylor,  May  9,  1849."  He  held  the  office  till  a  change 
in  the  administration,  when  President  Pierce  appointed  John  J.  Herster.  Mr.  Arndt  per- 
formed the  duties  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years;  his  office  was  on  South  Third 
street.  He  exhibited  much  the  same  spirit  that  was  so  conspicuous  in  the  lives  of  his 
father,  grandfather  and  great-grandfather.  They  were  all  sturdy  German  people,  but 
they  were  ardent  patriots;  loyal  to  liberty;  faithful  to  the  republic.  They  were  honorable 
in  their  dealings  with  their  fellow  men.  There  are  five  children  of  Benjamin  Arndt's 
living:  two  sons  in  Oregon,  and  two  sons  and  a  daughter  in  Pennsylvania.  There  are 
nineteen  grandchildren. 


Lutheran  Churches  in  Easton. 


The  Arrival  of  Muhlenberg;  His  Great  Work— The  Old  Church  on  the  Philadelphia  Road— The  Union  of  the 
Lutheran  and  German  Reformed  Congregations  in  Building  the  Church  on  North  Third  Street — Building 
of  St.  John's  Church  ;  Christ  Church  ;  Zion's  Evangelical  Church  ;  St.  Paul's  Church  ;  Colored  Lutheran 
Church  ;   St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Church. 


[hey  clung  to  the  name  of  *Gennan  Reformed  and  Lutheran  without  any 
knowledge  of  the  religious  principles  or  duties.  And  soon  the  Macedonian 
cry,  "Come  over  and  help  us,"  was  heard  over  Europe.  Lands  were  to 
be  cleared,  cabins  to  be  built,  wealth  to  be  created  out  of  the  wilderness. 
They  felt  they  were  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  and  their  cry  was  the  cry 
of  distress.  They  were  in  a  wilderness,  living  in  log  cabins,  in  the  sim- 
plest possible  way.  Their  time  was  occupied  in  daily  toil.  If  they  had 
books,  the  young  could  not  read  them,  and  the  parents  had  not  time  nor 
ability  to  teach  them.  They  needed  preachers  who  could  both  teach  and 
preach.  It  was  to  be  a  work  of  self-denial  and  hard  toil,  in  a  wilderness. 
Their  cries  reached  the  ears  and  hearts  of  Christian  Europe.  Who  will 
go  to  Pennsylvania?  was  the  inquiry'  of  Germany  and  Holland.  It  required  as  much  self- 
denial  as  it  does  now  to  go  to  the  banks  of  the  Congo  or  the  Ganges.  The  stream  of 
imigration  was  increasing,  and  the  feeling  of  distress  and  religious  necessity  growing 
wider  and  deeper,  and  the  cry  for  help  more  painful.  Who  will  go  to  Pennsylvania  and 
feed  those  hungry  flocks?  But  long  before  the  people  began  to  look  for  messengers  to 
go  and  supply  this  pressing  need,  God  had  been  preparing  two  men  of  strong  nerves, 
and  courageous  hearts;  men  willing  to  forsake  the  pleasures  of  European  civilization  and 
take  up  their  abode  in  the  forests  of  the  new  world. 

Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg 

was  born  in  the  city  of  Einbeck  of  Hanover,  Sept.  6,  1711.  From  his  seventh  to  his  twelfth 
year  he  was  kept  constantly  at  school,  studying  the  German  and  Latin  languages  and 
receiving  religious  instrucftion,  and  at  twelve  years  of  age  he  was  confirmed  and  admitted 
to  the  sacraments.  At  this  time  his  father  died  and  left  so  little  property  that  he  was 
compelled  to  leave  school  and  labor  to  help  his  mother  support  the  family.  Had  his 
father  left  an  ample  fortune  the  name  of  Muhlenberg  would  not  have  been  heard  outside 
of  Hanover.  This  early  toil  gave  him  muscular  development,  and  a  willingness  to  toil 
for  others  when  God  should  call.  Until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  was  compelled 
to  labor  more  or  less  to  maintain  the  family.  At  this  age  he  resumed  his  studies  under 
the  care  of  his  pastor.  He  desired  to  obtain  a  university  education,  but  he  was  poor,  and 
the  way  seemed  dark.  But  the  hand  of  Providence  opened  the  way  most  unexpedledly: 
a  scholarship  was  given  him  in  the  University  of  Cotingen,  which  had  just  been  established. 

*The  great  influx  of  German  population  into  Pennsylvania  has  been  noticed  in  a  previous  number  in  connexion 
with  the  history  of  the  German  Reformed  Church. 


96  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  warm  desire  of  his  heart  was  gratified.  Up  to  this  time  he  knew  nothing  of  experi- 
mental religion.  He  formed  unfavorable  associates  which  retarded  his  progress;  his 
aberration,  however,  was  very  brief.  He  broke  loose  from  the  surrounding  dangers,  and 
soon  met  with  that  remarkable  change  which  brought  him  into  wann  sympathy  with  the 
experienced  Christian  and  prepared  him  for  the  work  which  he  afterward  so  successfully 
performed.  In  his  zeal  for  the  Master,  he  was  soon  found  engaged  in  teaching  the  catechism 
to  poor,  negledled  children.  For  this  irregularity  he  was  prosecuted  by  the  government, 
but  was  sustained  in  his  work.  In  July,  1731,  while  on  a  visit  to  Halle,  Dr.  Franke  informed 
him  that  he  had  just  received  a  request  that  he  would  send  a  missionary  to  the  scattered 
Lutherans  in  Pennsylvania,  and  he  proposed  to  Mr.  Muhlenberg  that  he  engage  in  the 
enterprise.  He  made  it  a  matter  of  prayerful  consideration,  and  after  consultation  with 
his  most  trusted  friends,  he  concluded  to  accept  the  appointment.  June  13,  1742,  he  set 
sail  for  the  New  World,  and  the  new  field  of  labor.  He  went  by  way  of  Charleston,  and 
arrived  in  Philadelphia  in  November.  Muhlenberg  met  a  strange  state  of  things  among 
the  Lutheran  people.  By  the  dearth  of  pastors,  wolves  in  sheep's  clothing  came  among  the 
flock,  proclaimed  themselves  Lutheran  preachers,  and  ingratiated  themselves  into  the  favor 
of  a  confiding  people.  Sometimes  a  single  remark  will 
give  an  insight  into  the  working  of  a  man's  soul  quite 
as  clearly  as  the  associations  of  many  days.  In  one  of 
lis  reports  to  Halle,  Muhlenberg  reports  the  condition 
A  the  Lutheran  people:  "There  is  such  a  pitiable  con- 
ition  and  ruin  among  our  poor  Lutheran  people  that 
it  cannot  be  sufficiently  wept  for  with  tears  of  blood. 
Parents  have  permitted  their  children  to  grow  up  without 
laptism,  without  instrucftion  and  knowledge,  and  go 
into  heathenism.  So  I  found  it  when  I  arrived  in  Phila- 
delphia." In  regard  to  Muhlenberg,  Dr.  Schmucker 
used  the  following  language:  "Though  more  than  sixty 
HENRY  MEi,cHioK  MrHi.K.xm-KG.  years  have  passed  since  he  closed  his  earthly  career, 
his  name  is  still  fresh  and  fragrant  in  all  our  churches,  and  his  general  charadleristics, 
as  well  as  the  results  of  his  labors,  are  so  well  known  that  I  shall  be  in  little  danger 
of  mistaking  in  respecft  to  them.  Notwithstanding  several  German  as  well  as  Sweedish 
Lutheran  ministers  had  been  in  this  countr\-  long  before  Mr.  Muhlenberg  arrived  here, 
yet  so  adlive  and  successful  was  he  in  organizing  new  churches,  in  building  up  those  pre- 
viously founded,  and  in  promoting  spirituality  and  union  among  them  all,  that  he  is  justly 
regarded  as  the  founder  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church  in  America,  as  well  as  the  most 
distinguished  of  her  early  divines."  According  to  Dr.  Sadtler's  semi-centennial  sermon, 
Muhlenberg  visited  the  Lutheran  Church  in  this  region  in  1745,  in  March,  1747,  and 
November  23,  1749.  In  these  visits  he  instrudled  and  confirmed  quite  a  number  of  young 
people;  and  during  the  last  visit  he  administered  the  Lord's  supper.  "He  distindlly  says 
there  were  two  small  congregations  in  existence."  Easton  had  not  received  her  name  at 
this  date,  not  having  been  surveyed  till  1750.  This  feeling  of  a  willingness  to  suflfer 
privation  and  endure  hard  toil  just  for  the  love  he  bore  to  Jesus  and  dying  men  has  made 
his  name  a  tower  of  strength  in  the  Lutheran  Church.  When  we  call  to  mind  the  ability 
and  learning  of  Muhlenberg  we  can  hardly  account  for  his  willingness  to  spend  his  life  in 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  97 

the  wilds  of  the  new  world.  He  did  what  very  few  men  of  the  present  day  can  do. 
During  his  residence  in  the  city  of  New  York  he  preached  three  times  a  day  on  the  Sab- 
bath, in  English,  German  and  Low  Dutch.  He  spoke  the  English,  German,  Latin, 
Holland  and  Sweedish  languages.  He  gave  his  heart  to  the  cause  of  the  struggling 
colonies,  and  thus  settled  the  sympathies  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  America.  He  suf- 
fered severely  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  He  was,  throughout,  the  earnest  friend  of  his 
adopted  country,  and  there  was  no  sacrifice  he  was  not  ready  to  make,  and  no  peril  to 
which  he  would  not  cheerfully  expose  himself  for  sustaining  and  carrying  forward  its 
interest.  He  was  frank,  outspoken  in  his  intercourse  with  men.  While  the  British  had 
possession  of  Philadelphia,  Muhlenberg  was  not  safe  in  the  city.  His  name  was  held  in 
great  suspicion  by  the  Hessian  and  English  officers;  and  they  threatened  with  prison,  torture 
and  death  if  they  could  catch  him.  There  is  no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  thoughtful 
but  that  the  patriotism  of  the  two  men,  Schlatter  and  Muhlenberg,  saved  Pennsylvania 
for  the  cause  of  liberty.  He  died  at  Trappe,  in  Montgomery  county,  October  7,  1787,  in 
the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  Schlatter,  feeble  with  age,  then  living  at  Chestnut 
Hill,  attended  the  funeral  of  his  departed  friend;  and  in  a  few  years  he  followed.  In  life 
they  were  united;  in  death  not  long  divided. 

Muhlenberg  had  three  sons  who  entered  the  ministry.  The  eldest,  John  Peter  Gabriel 
Muhlenberg,  seems  to  have  inherited  the  patriotism  of  his  father.  An  incident  in  his  life 
is  told  which  illustrates  this  truth.  He  was  pastor  of  a  large  Lutheran  Church  in  Vir- 
ginia; and  Washington  solicited  him  to  take  command  of  a  regiment  and  he  consented. 
He  preached  his  farewell  sermon  to  a  large  congregation;  and  during  the  impassioned 
delivery,  he  exclaimed  in  the  language  of  Holy  Writ:  "There  is  a  time  for  all  things; 
there  is  a  time  to  preach,  and  a  time  to  pray,  and  there  is  also  a  time  to  fight,  and  that 
time  has  come."  When  he  had  pronounced  the  Benediction  and  laid  aside  his  silken  robe, 
he  stood  before  his  congregation  in  the  full  uniform  of  a  colonel ;  and  marching  to  the  door 
of  the  church  ordered  the  drum  to  beat  for  recruits,  and  three  hundred  of  his  congre- 
gation enrolled  for  the  service. 

Conrad  Weiser,  having  been  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  early 
Colonial  history  of  Pennsylvania,  and  having  been  the  father-in-law  of  Muhlenberg,  it 
seems  proper  to  introduce  a  brief  notice  of  him  at  this  point.  He  was  at  Easton  in  con- 
nedlion  with  the  Indian  treaties.  He  led  a  company  of  forty  soldiers  from  Heidelberg  to 
Easton  to  keep  the  Indians  in  subjection  at  one  of  the  largest  gatherings  of  those  wild 
nations.  In  the  History  of  the  Moravian  Church  we  have  the  following  account  of  this 
good  man:  "Conrad  Weiser,  for  more  than  twenty  years  adling  Interpreter  to  the  Province 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  1696  in  Wurtemberg.  In  1710  he  accompanied  his  parents  to 
America,  with  a  Colony  of  Palatines,  who  imigrated  to  New  York  under  the  auspices  of 
Queen  Anne,  and  who  were  settled  in  a  body  on  Livingston  Manor,  in  Columbia  county. 
In  1713  the  Weiser  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  other  families  removed  to  Schoharie,  in  the 
Mohawk  country,  where  young  Conrad  was  schooled  in  the  language  which  enabled  him 
later  in  life  to  render  invaluable  services  to  the  Proprietaries'  Governors  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  1729  he  followed  his  countrymen  to  Swatara  and  Tulpehocken,  whither  numbers  of 
them  had  removed  a  few  years  before,  and  here  he  began  a  farm  in  Heidelberg  township, 
Berks  county.  His  fluency  in  the  Mohawk  recommended  him  to  the  notice  of  the  Proprie- 
taries' Agents;  and  by  the  special  request  of  deputies  of  the  Six  Nations,  met  in  conference 


98  THE  HISTORY  OF 

with  Governor  Patrick  Gordon,  at  Philadelphia,  in  1732,  he  was  by  him  appointed  Inter- 
preter for  that  Confederation.  From  this  time  his  career  was  identified  with  the  history' 
of  the  Province  in  all  its  relations  with  the  Indians.  In  1734  he  was  appointed  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  in  the  old  French  war  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  all  forces  raised 
west  of  the  Susquehanna."  He  was  a  warm  friend  of  the  Moravians,  though  he  never 
joined  that  church.  He  contributed  freely  to  sustain  their  missions  to  the  Indians,  with 
whose  children  he  had  spent  his  youthful  days  in  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk.  He  was  a 
warm  friend  to  those  dusky  children  with  whom  he  pla^-ed  in  bo)'hood,  and  he  was  a  warm 
friend  to  them  in  manhood,  when  they  were  among  the  leading  warriors  of  the  continent. 
He  was  the  idol  of  the  red  man,  and  the  trusted  Interpreter  and  Diplomatist  for  the  white 
man.  He  filled  a  place  which  few  were  fitted  to  fill,  and  he  performed  his  duties  in  a  way 
which  none  could  excel.  He  did  not  like  the  creed  of  the  Moravians,  but  admired  their 
practices;  the  creeds  of  other  denominations  were  more  in  harmony  with  his  judgment, 
but  he  disliked  their  methods.  While  he  was  a  firm  believer  in  Christianity,  he  was  not 
a  particular  friend  of  any  denomination. 


In  giving  the  history  of  this  family  of  churches,  I  shall  refer  to  a  sermon  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Sadtler  at  the  Semi-Centennial  Celebration,  October  8,  1882;  to  the  History-  of  Bucks 
County,  Northampton  County,  and  Lehigh  Valley.  In  1752,  Northampton  was  fonned, 
and  contained  within  its  borders  nearly  six  thousand  inhabitants.  Of  these  about  six 
hundred  were  Scotch-Irish,  in  Allen  and  Mount  Bethel  townships,  and  three  hundred 
were  Holland  Dutch,  in  Smithfield;  the  remainder  were  Germans.  Northampton  at  this 
time  extended  from  Bucks  county  on  the  south  to  the  New  York  line  on  the  north  ;  and 
from  the  Delaware  on  the  east  to  Wyoming  Valley  on  the  west.  "These  people  were  of 
the  Peasant  class  of  Germans;  their  capital  invested  was  their  strong  arms,  and  disposi- 
tion for  patient,  rugged  toil.  They  felt  their  religious  destitution  and  'sent  delegations 
to  plead  with  their  brethern  in  F^atherland  to  pity  their  destitution.'  It  was  such  an 
appeal  that  finally  brought  over  the  venerated  man  that  has  been  called  the  Patriarch  of 
the  American  Lutheran  Church,  Rev.  Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg,  who  landed  at  Phila- 
delphia, in  November,  1742.  Whatever  may  have  been  done  by  way  of  incipient  organi- 
zation of  congregations  in  this  region  before  his  arrival  in  America,  this  event  is  really 
the  earnest  beginning  of  life  in  the  Lutheran  Church.  Dr.  Richards  records  that  already 
in  1740  a  congregation  existed,  and  a  church  had  been  built,  called  'Die  Gemeinde  am 
Delaware  Revier  von  Lutherisher  Religion;  or  the  Lutheran  Congregation  at  the  Dela- 
ware River.'  This  was  no  doubt  the  church  that  had  existed  on  the  old  Philadelphia 
road  about  half  a  mile  beyond  South  Easton,  at  the  interse<5lion  of  the  road  leading  east- 
ward past  Leonard  Walter's  farm.  Its  foundations  were  traceable  as  late  as  1862.  'This 
congregation  was  served,  in  connecftiou  with  the  congregations  in  Saucon  and  Jordan, 
beyond  Allentown,  by  Rev.  John  Justus  Jacob  Birkinstock.  In  1745  Muhlenberg  visited 
the  Lutherans  in  this  region  (Halle  Reports,  page  58)  and  confirmed  several  young  people, 
after  previous  instru6lion.  This  he  surely  would  not  have  done  had  there  not  have  been 
a  regular  pastor.'  We  find  Muhlenberg  there  again  in  March,  1747;  and  gives  as  a  reason 
wh\'  he  came,  because  he  was  urged  by  friends  to  come.  Ludolph  Henry  Schrenck  per- 
formed the  duties  of  pastor  from  1749  to  1753.     Muhlenberg  installed  him  as  catechist  to 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


99 


preach  under  his  supervision.  He  was  not  ordained  till  1752,  and  the  next  year  he  moved 
to  the  region  of  Raritan,  N.  J.  In  1754  Rev.  John  Andreas  Frederici  settled  at  Saucon 
and  served  Easton.  He  also  organized  and  served  many  congregations  in  upper  Berks 
and  Lehigh.  After  the  close  of  his  ministry,  the  congregation,  on  the  old  Philadelphia 
road,  must  have  fused  with  the  congregation  at  Easton,  for  in  May  13,  1763,  Muhlenberg 
was  informed  that  the  Lutherans  had  purchased  a  large  house  which  they  intended  to 
use  as  a  parsonage  in  the  lower  story,  and  a  church  in  the  upper  story.  The  building 
cost  $1066.  This  building  was  afterwards  a  part  of  the  Washington  Hotel  on  South 
Third  street.  It  was  Mr.  David  Berringer,  the  first  tanner  of  Easton,  who  took  the  news 
to  Muhlenberg,  and  an  appeal  to  the  ministerium  to  send  them  a  faithful  minister.  In 
response  to  this  appeal.  Rev.  Bernhard  Michael  Hausihl  was  sent  to  them  in  December, 
1763.  He  was  the  first  pastor  who  actually  resided  in  Easton.  About  1770,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  old  Dutch  Lutheran  Church  in  New  York  City.  After  a  vacancy  of  several 
years,  Rev.  Christian  Streit  became  pastor,  in  1769,  and  his  services  continued  ten  years. 
He  commenced  proper  church  records:  records  of  baptisms,  communicants  and  vestry 
meetings,  which  records  were  lost.  During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr.  Streit  the  present 
German  Reformed  Church  was  built,  as  a  union  church,  by  the  Refonned  and  Lutheran 
Churches,  which  building  was  dedicated  in  1776.  The  first  Vestry  recorded  was  in  1770, 
and  consisted  of  Melchior  Stecker  and  Frederick  Kuhn  as  Elders.  Michael  Lehn,  Fred- 
erick Gwinner,  Johannes  Ries,  and  Conrad  Ihrie,  as  Deacons.  In  1780-82,  Rev.  Frederick 
Ernst  was  pastor  of  the  church,  in  connedlion  with  a  number  of  churches  on  both  sides 
of  the  Delaware.  From  1782  to  1798,  Rev.  Solomon  Frederici  had  charge.  From  1799 
to  1801,  Rev.  Augustus  Henry  Schmidt  ministered  to  the  church.  In  the  last  mentioned 
year.  Rev.  Christian  Frederick  Louis  Enders  took  charge  of  the  congregation  and  remained 
its  pastor  till  1815.  It  is  the  opinion  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sadtler  that  Rev.  Mr.  Streit  sometimes 
preached  in  English,  'and  a  certainty  that  Rev.  Mr.  Enders  did  so  regularly.'  In  1808 
the  stated  use  of  the  English  was  introduced  into  the  church,  greatly  to  the  benefit  of 
the  people,  as  many  had  ceased  to  use  the  German,  and  many  never  did  use  it.  Rev. 
Mr.  Enders  was  a  learned  man  and  very  energetic,  as  he  served  fourteen  congregations  in 
this  county  and  in  New  Jersey.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  John  Peter  Hecht,  whose 
ministry  was  the  longest  in  the  history  of  the  congregation,  running  through  a  period  of 
thirty  years." 


ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH. 

"During  Mr.  Hecht's  ministry,  in  1832,  the  Lutheran  congregation  sold  out  its  right 
in  the  Old  Church,  on  North  Third  street,  for  the  sum  of  $1600,  and  eredled  the  church  on 
Ferry  street,  at  a  cost  of  |i8,ooo.  The  Lutheran  Church  now  stood  alone,  and  was  ready 
for  work.  Rev.  Mr.  Hecht  was  no  ordinary  man,  as  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life  will  show. 
He  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  February  28,  1790,  but  losing  his  father  in  early  infancy 
he  was  taken  to  Philadelphia.  His  early  education  was  most  injudicious,  but  it  showed 
the  precocious  talent  in  the  boy.  At  three  years  of  age  he  could  partly  read,  and  a  Bible 
'to  be  all  his  own'  was  offered  as  a  premium  if  he  could  read  any  chapter  that  could  be 


loo  THE  HISTORY  OF 

sele(fi;ed  at  five.  He  won  the  prize,  and  thenceforth  his  education  was  carried  on  under  high 
pressure.  It  embraced  Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew.  At  sixteen  he  was  called  upon  to 
preach  a  trial  sermon.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  when  he  was  nineteen,  in  1809,  and 
put  in  charge  of  congregations  in  and  near  Pottstown,  which  was  the  place  of  his  resi- 
dence. From  there  he  was  called  to  Carlisle,  and  thence  to  Easton,  in  1815.  He  was 
for  years  a  man  of  mark,  an  orator  of  high  order  and  impressiveness.  Old  members  told 
Dr.  Sadtler,  during  his  pastorate,  that  strangers  visiting  the  place,  were  taken  by  their 
friends  to  hear  Mr.  Hecht,  as  an  intelledlual  treat.  Students  sought  his  instrudlions  in 
hopes  of  catching  some  of  the  fire  of  his  genius  and  oratory.  Among  them  were  Revs. 
J.  B.  Gro.ss  and  Henry  S.  Miller,  the  latter  (in  1852)  the  oldest  minister  on  the  rolls  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Synod.  Few  have  been  more  honored  in  the  pastoral  oflice  than  he. 
Troubles  which  rose  in  his  church  clouded  the  closing  years  of  his  life.  The  birth  of  the 
Sunday  School  dates  August  5th  of  the  same  year.  And  during  fifty  years  of  histon,- 
this  school  has  had  but  three  Superintendents,  Messrs.  Henry  Bender,  Henry  Hammann, 
and  Owen  Hagenbuch. 

"  Toward  the  close  of  Mr.  Hecht's  ministry  a  colony  went  forth  from  the  St.  John's 
and  formed  Christ  Lutheran  Church.  This  church  was  built  in  1843.  The  motive  for 
the  new  organization  was  a  desire  to  have  the  entire  use  of  English.  It  was  connedled 
with  the  General  Synod  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  the  United  States,  until  1870,  when 
it  was  received  into  the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  and 
adjacent  States.  There  was  a  vacancy  of  about  six  months  after  the  retiring  of  Mr. 
Hecht,  when  Rev.  Dr.  J.  W.  Richards  took  charge  of  the  congregation,  in  November, 
1845.  Rev.  Dr.  C.  F.  Schseffer  succeeded  Rev.  Dr.  Richards  in  1851,  and  continued  till 
1856,  and  then  accepted  a  call  to  a  professorship  in  the  Seminar\'  at  Gettysburg.  Rev. 
Dr.  Sadtler  was  the  next  pastor,  elecfted  to  his  position  six  months  before  Dr.  SchaeflTer 
retired  in  March,  and  the  former  was  installed  in  April,  1856.  In  i860  an  important 
event  occurred.  The  labor  in  two  languages  being  too  oppressive.  Rev.  Philip  Pfatteicher 
was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  German.  Dr.  Sadtler' s  ministry  closed  in  the  fall  of 
1862,  in  which  year  Rev.  Dr.  Schmucker  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  English,  and 
worked  in  harmony  with  Mr.  Pfatteicher,  carr}'ing  forward  the  work  in  the  two  languages. 

"The  question  of  another  organization  had  often  been  discussed,  but  they  felt  that  the 
time  had  not  come  as  yet.  In  1867  Dr.  Schmucker  resigned  his  charge  and  moved  to 
Reading.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Edmund  Belfour  in  the  early  part  of  the  ne.xt  year. 
His  ministry  lasted  from  1868  to  1874.  During  his  pastorate  the  important  step  was  taken 
of  selling  a  part  of  the  old  grave  yard,  adjoining  the  church  on  the  west,  and  with  the 
proceeds  enable  the  German  portion  of  the  congregation  to  procure  a  church  and  organize 
as  Zion's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  The  following  resolution  appears  on  the  church 
records,  February'  3,  1868:  'Resolved,  That  feeling  the  urgent  necessity  of  another 
chtirch,  we  will  take  steps  to  sell  a  portion  of  the  grave  yard,  and  that  the  proceeds,  after 
carefully  removing  and  reinterring  the  dead  thereon,  be  applied  toward  the  purchase  and 
erection  of  a  church  for  the  Gennan  portion  of  the  congregation.'  The  ground  in  ques- 
tion was  sold  to  the  School  Board,  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  being  $20,408.50,  and  was  paid 
over  to  Zion's  Church.  The  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  on  Fifth  street,  was  purchased  and 
extensively  repaired  and  improved  for  their  use.  Rev.  Philip  Pfatteicher  continues  their 
pastor;  the  services  are  conducfled  in  the  German  language.     Rev.  Mr.  Belfour  of  the  St. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  loi 

John's  Church  resigned  in  1874,  and  Rev.  J.  R.  Groff  commenced  his  duties  as  pastor  the 
same  year.  Under  his  ministry  the  missionary  zeal  of  the  church  was  fostered,  and  Sab- 
bath Schools  were  established  in  various  diredlions.  The  most  important  of  these  was 
St.  Luke's  Mission  in  the  Seventh  ward;  at  first  undertaken  in  connexion  with  Christ's 
and  Zion's  Churches,  but  now  under  the  entire  control  of  St.  John's.  A  neat  chapel  has 
been  ere6led  on  the  corner  of  Eleventh  and  Ferry  streets,  in  the  no  distant  future  to 
become  a  self-sustaining  Lutheran  Church.  Dr.  Sadtler  thus  sums  up  the  work  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  in  Easton:  St.  John's  may  fairly  claim  the  title  of  mother  of  churches. 
Whilst  her  own  membership  is  unabated,  there  have  descended  from  her  as  children, 
Christ's  Church,  with  a  membership  of  two  hundred  and  fifty,  and  a  Sunday  School  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty-eight  scholars,  officers  and  teachers.  Zion's  German  Lutheran, 
with  four  hundred  and  fifty  members,  and  five  hiindred  and  thirty  in  the  Sunday  School. 
St.  Paul's,  with  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  members;  Sunday  School,  two  hundred  and 
seventy.  St.  Peter's,  on  College  Hill,  with  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  members,  and  a 
Sunday  School  of  two  hundred  and  twenty.  The  First  Colored  Church  on  Ferry  street. 
St.  Paul's,  in  South  Easton,  with  a  large  membership  in  both  church  and  Sunday  School. 
St.  John's  (German),  in  Phillipsburg,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  members,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  in  the  Sunday  School.  Grace  Church,  Phillipsburg,  with  one 
hundred  and  ten  members,  and  a  Sunday  School  of  two  hundred  and  forty-seven." 

It  now  remains  to  gather  up  the  remaining  history  of  the  individual  churches  that 
have  sprung  from  St.  John's.  Before  doing  so  it  will  be  proper  to  refer  to  the  present 
pastorate  of  the  mother  church.  "Rev.  D.  H.  Geissinger  was  called  from  New  York 
City  to  take  charge  of  the  flock,  and  he  entered  upon  his  duties  on  February  3,  1S82. 
After  long  and  patriotic  service  in  the  army  during  our  civil  war,  he  determined  to  devote 
his  life  to  the  Christian  ministry  in  the  Lutheran  church.  He  studied  at  the  Mercersburg 
College,  and  at  the  Allegheny  College,  Meadville,  Pa.  With  the  same  steadfastness  of 
purpose,  diligence  and  earnest  devotion  to  duty,  which  had  marked  his  military  career, 
he  urged  himself  onward  to  the  end  he  had  in  view,  and  completed  his  studies  in  Phila- 
delphia in  1872.  He  is  as  faithful  in  the  pulpit  as  he  was  patriotic  in  the  field;  and  is 
doing  a  good  work  and  doing  it  well."  His  church  has  a  membership  of  six  hundred 
and  fifty-five.  In  the  Sunday  Schools  conne6led  with  his  church  there  are  eighty  teachers 
and  seven  hundred  pupils. 


CHRIST  CHURCH. 

[rev.  J.    M.    ANSPACH.] 

The  organization  of  this  body  was  effecfted  on  Friday  evening,  June  30,  1843,  by  the 
eledlion  of  the  following  officers:  John  Lehn,  John  Heckman  and  Peter  Ihrie,  elders; 
Samuel  Shouse,  Samuel  Drinkhouse  and  Henr>-  Bender,  deacons;  Samuel  Yohe,  treasurer. 
The  name  first  chosen  was  simply  "The  Lutheran  Congregation  of  Easton."  A  unani- 
mous call  to  become  pastor  of  this  congregation  was  immediately  extended  to  Rev.  George 
Diehl,  at  a  salary  of  $600,  and  was  promptly  accepted.  On  the  ist  of  September,  the  same 
year,  he  began  his  pastoral  labors,  and  on  the  23rd  of   December  was  installed.     The 


I02  THE  HISTORY  OF 

congregation  united  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  Public  worship  was  conducted 
in  the  old  M.  E.  church.  Adlion  to  secure  incorporation  was  taken  on  Januan,-  12,  1844, 
and  the  name  changed  from  "The  Lutheran  Congregation"  to  "The  English  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  Congregation  of  Easton;"  at  the  same  time  report  was  made  of  the 
purchase  of  a  lot  at  Ferr}-  and  Hamilton  streets  (as  Fourth  street  was  then  called),  upon 
which  to  eredl  a  church  edifice.  On  the  22d  day  of  December  following,  the  church  was 
dedicated  "to  the  ever-living  God,"  and  was  by  resolution,  called  "Christ  Church." 
The  pastorate  of  Rev.  Diehl  continued  until  July  ist,  1851.  On  the  ist  of  September, 
1851,  Charles  Adam  Smith  became  pastor,  and  so  remained  until  July  ist,  1854.  During 
his  pastorate  the  parsonage  was  built.  Rev.  I\Ir.  Smith  was  followed  by  Rev.  Emanuel 
Greenwald,  who  began  his  ministr}'  October  ist,  1854,  and  closed  it  April  21st,  1867. 
He  was  a  verj-  successful  and  most  dearly  beloved  pastor.  On  the  ist  of  August,  1867, 
Rev.  William  Ruthrauff  was  settled  in  the  parish,  and  so  continued  until  April  ist,  1870. 
During  his  time  St.  Paul's  congregation  was  organized,  and  Christ's  separating  from  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  united  with  "The  IMinisterium  of  Pennsylvania  and  adjacent 
States."  Rev.  William  Ashmead  Schaeffer  was  chosen  as  Rev.  Ruthrauff 's  successor, 
and  on  September  ist,  following,  began  his  work  in  this  church.  He  continued  it  until 
the  summer  of  '76,  when  health  failing,  a  vacation  was  allowed  him,  and  Rev.  Theophilus 
Heilig  appointed  supply.  Rev.  Schaeffer's  health  not  having  become  restored  within  the 
time  he  expelled,  he  resigned  the  charge,  April  ist,  1877.  During  his  pastorate  a  pipe 
organ  was  purchased,  a  room  to  accommodate  it  was  built,  and  the  Sunday  School  provided 
with  settees.     The  music  in  the  church  was  greatly  improved. 

In  September  of  this  same  year,  Rev.  J.  M.  Anspach  received  a  unanimous  call  to 
the  church,  and  on  November  ist,  the  same  year,  began  his  labors.  He  is  pastor  at 
present.  In  the  early  part  of  his  pastorate  the  church  was  repainted  and  refrescoed;  new 
fences  made;  new  pavement  laid  and  new  heaters  provided.  Six  handsome  memorial 
windows,  commemorative  of  events  in  the  life  of  Christ,  have  taken  the  place  of  as  many 
old  ones,  contributed  as  follows:  i\Ir.  Howard  Rinek,  one;  ]\Ir.  H.  G.  Tombler,  one;  Air. 
E.  I.  Hunt,  one;  Sunday  School,  one;  Sunday  School  Class  of  ]Mrs.  Frank  Lehn,  one; 
Working-people's  Association,  one.  Last  year  a  most  comfortable  improvement  was 
made  to  the  parsonage.  Through  the  liberality  of  one  man  the  organ  was  furnished 
with  a  water  motor.  The  church,  in  its  history,  has  given  many  thousand  dollars  to  the 
work  of  benevolence.  The  disposition  of  the  congregation  is  liberal.  As  at  present 
arranged  the  pew  rents  are  devoted  to  the  payment  of  salaries;  the  collecflions  are  used  to 
defray  incidental  expenses;  a  working-people's  association  provides  funds  for  ordinan,- 
improvements  and  aids  the  general  treasury' ;  a  mission  circle,  comprising  200  members, 
raises  sufficient  sums  to  pay  synodical  apportionment  and  render  aid  to  other  worthy 
proje<fts.  The  entire  membership  is  upwards  of  300.  Two  hundred  and  fifty-four 
persons  have  been  received  during  the  present  pastorate.  An  unusually  large  number  of 
deaths,  and  numerous  removals,  have  kept  the  membership  at  small  figures,  considering 
many  accessions.  For  the  first  time  in  its  history  (June,  1886),  the  congregation  enter- 
tained the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania,  and  did  this  with  a  heartiness  and  pleasure  that, 
we  venture  to  say,  has  seldom,  if  ever,  been  exceeded. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  103 

ST.   PAUL'S  CHURCH. 

[church  records.] 

St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  sprang  diredly  from  Christ's  Lutheran. 
The  first  meeting  preliminary  to  the  organization  of  this  church  was  held  April  17,  1868, 
in  the  Baptist  house  of  worship,  on  Ferry  street.  The  difficulties  attending  the  settle- 
ment of  the  synodical  relations  of  Christ's  Church  had  estranged  many  of  its  members, 
and  the  first  meeting  was  called  by  them  merely  for  consultation;  but,  when  so  many 
were  found  anxious  to  organize  themselves  into  a  congregation,  it  was  resolved  at  once  to 
rent  a  building  and  procure  preachers  until  they  could  determine  whether  or  not  to  effedl 
a  permanent  organization.  Accordingly  all  necessary  steps  were  taken  at  the  first  meeting, 
and  St.  Paul's  Religious  Society  was  formed.  The  Baptist  congregation  kindly  consented 
to  rent  them  the  use  of  their  church  on  alternate  Sabbaths.  The  two  congregations 
continued  to  thus  occupy  the  same  building  until  the  dedication  of  their  new  church. 
The  number  of  members  who  withdrew  from  Christ's  Church  and  entered  into  this 
organization  was  forty-nine.  Shortly  after,  however,  quite  a  large  number  was  received 
by  certificate  from  the  same  church.  Rev.  Dr.  Theophilus  Stork,  of  Philadelphia,  preached 
the  first  sermon,  May  24,  1868.  Rev.  Dr.  Pohlman,  President  of  the  General  Synod, 
followed  and  officiated  at  the  opening  of  the  Sabbath  School,  May  31,  1868.  Supplies 
for  the  pulpit  were  thus  obtained  until  August  13th  of  that  year,  when,  at  a  congrega- 
tional meeting.  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Barclay  was  unanimously  eledled  pastor,  who  entered 
upon  his  duties,  November  i,  1868.  It  was  on  the  same  evening  after  the  installation  of 
the  new  pastor  that  the  congregation  of  St.  Paul's  unanimously  resolved:  First,  we  need 
a  church.  Second,  we  will  build  a  church.  Third,  that  a  committee  be  appointed, 
consisting  of  John  Eyerman,  Henry  Bender,  George  Sweeney,  Adam  Yohe  and  John  F. 
Gwinner  to  purchase  a  site  for  the  building.  The  necessary  funds  were  speedily  raised. 
The  congregation  was  chartered  as  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Easton, 
Pa.  The  building  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  January,  1870.  A  fine  organ  was 
presented  to  the  church  by  the  late  Edward  H.  Eyennan.  The  bell  was  presented  by 
Mrs.  Edward  H.  Eyerman.  Under  Dr.  Barclay's  ministration  a  mission  on  College  Hill 
was  established,  and  is  now  a  self-sustaining  congregation,  called  St.  Peter's  (Fifth) 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Easton,  Pa. 

In  the  summer  of  1871  Dr.  Barclay  visited  the  Holy  Land,  and  on  his  return  he  pre- 
sented to  the  church  a  beautiful  baptismal  font,  inlaid  with  woods  brought  from  the  Mount 
of  Olives.  His  pastorate  extended  from  December  i,  1868,  to  October  i,  1872,  when  he 
accepted  a  call  from  the  First  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Baltimore,  Md. 

Dr.  Barclay  received  his  theological  training  at  Gettysburg,  being  a  member  of  the 
class  of  1856.  As  a  preacher  he  was  earnest,  eloquent  and  entertaining.  Rarely  indeed 
was  he  guilty  of  the  sin  of  dullness  in  the  pulpit.  Few  men  have  more  ready  and  com- 
plete command  of  all  their  faculties  than  he.  Few  preachers  can  prepare  a  sermon  or 
address  more  rapidly.  On  one  occasion,  at  least,  while  pastor  of  St.  Paul's,  it  was  fortunate 
that  he  possessed  this  power.  For  the  dedication  of  the  new  church  the  services  of  Drs. 
McCron  and  Wedekind  had  been  engaged,  but  at  the  appointed  time  the  presence  of  the 
former  was  prevented  by  sickness  and  Dr.  Wedekind  missed  the  train.     Dr.  Barclay, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


105 


therefore,  devoted  Saturday  night  to  preparation  and  on  the  following  day  preached  the 
dedicatory  sermon  himself. 

The  next  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  was  the  Rev.  Harvey  W.  McKnight,  called  from  New- 
ville,  Pa.,  who  took  charge  December  i,  1873.  The  church  was  not  less  fortunate  in  the 
choice  of  the  second  pastor  than  in  the  choice  of  the  first.  Rev.  McKnight  graduated  at 
Pennsylvania  College  in  the  class  of  1863,  and  entered  the  Seminary  at  Gettysburg  the 
following  year.  His  ministry  in  Easton  was  a  decided  success.  Though  frequently  suf- 
fering from  delicate  health,  his  preaching  was  of  a  superior  order  and  drew  large  congrega- 
tions to  the  church.  Few  men  possess  more  than  he  the  element  of  personal  magnetism. 
He  made  many  friends  in  all  denominations  and  outside  of  all  denominations.  During 
his  pastorate  of  a  little  more  than  seven  years  the  additions  to  the  church  numbered  more 
than  three  hundred.  He  found  the  church  at  the  beginning  of  his  ministry  burdened 
with  a  debt  of  about  $7000.  In  the  year  1874,  subscriptions  of  cash,  and  notes  bearing 
interest  of  one,  two,  three  and  four  years,  were  taken,  covering  the  entire  amount.  At 
the  close  of  his  pastorate  this  debt  had  all  been  paid  except  about  $1700,  due  to  the  depre- 
ciation in  value  of  a  security  held  by  the  church.  This  amount  increased  by  about  $700, 
incurred  in  repairing  the  church — $2400  in  all  was  paid  during  the  pastorate  of  his  suc- 
cessor. It  was  also  in  the  year  1874  that  Pastor  McKnight  was  called  upon  to  dismiss 
about  thirty  members  to  form  St.  Peter's  (Fifth)  Lutheran  Church,  on  College  Hill.  The 
Sunday  School,  started  during  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Barclay,  had  grown  to  such  dimensions 
that  a  church  seemed  to  be  demanded. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Rev.  H.  W.  McKnight,  Rev.  Riifus  Hufford  was  called  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  church.  He  came  from  Lancaster  to  Easton  and  entered  upon  his 
work  December  i,  1880.  He  was  educated  at  Wittenberg  College,  Springfield,  Ohio,  in 
the  class  of  1873.  He  studied  theology  at  the  same  place,  graduating  in  1873.  There 
have  been  received  into  the  church  during  the  present  pastorate  one  hundred  and  fifty 
members,  and  now  numbers  about  two  hundred  and  fifty.  The  Sabbath  School  contains 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  members,  teachers  and  pupils.  The  debt  of  $2400  has  been 
paid  and  the  church  is  entirely  free. 


ZION'S  CHURCH. 

[rev.  PHILIP  PFATTKICHER.] 
Rev.  Philip  Pfatteicher  was  called  as  assistant  pastor  of  St.  John's  Church 
during  i860.  Dr.  Sadtler  had  charge  of  the  English  department,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Pfatteicher 
took  charge  of  the  German.  The  matter  of  forming  a  new  congregation,  exclusively  of 
the  German  element,  had  been  more  or  less  discussed,  and  at  length  took  shape  by  the 
passage  of  the  following  resolution  by  the  church,  February  3,  1868:  '■'Resolved,  That, 
feeling  the  urgent  necessity  of  another  church,  we  will  take  steps  to  sell  a  portion  of  the 
grave  yard,  and  that  the  proceeds,  after  carefully  removing  and  re-interring  the  dead 
thereon,  be  applied  toward  the  purchase  and  the  ere<?tion  of  a  church  for  the  German 
portion  of  the  congregation."  The  a6l  of  separation  was  not  completed  until  December 
19,  1871,  when  two  hundred  and  seventy-eight  members  were  dismissed  from  St.  John's 


io6  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Church  to  fonn  the  new  organization.  The  grave  yard  was  sold  to  the  School  Board  for 
$20,408.50,  which  was  paid  over  to  Zion's  Church.  The  next  step  was  to  obtain  a  place 
of  worship.  The  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  of  Easton,  was  organized  July  27,  1851,  and 
proceeded  to  purchase  land  and  ere<5t  a  church  on  Fifth  street.  While  the  church  was 
being  built  Rev.  J.  H.  Mason  Knox,  now  President  Knox,  of  Lafayette  College,  a  grand- 
son of  Dr.  Mason,  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church  in  1851.  The  church  was 
completed  at  a  cost  of  $16,000,  a  large  part  of  which  was  obtained  by  the  energy  of  the 
pastor. 

The  difficulty  of  sustaining  the  organization  was  so  great  that  the  congregation 
concluded  to  sell  the  church,  and  the  newly  formed  German  congregation  purchased  it  for 
|io,ooo  and  named  it  Zion's  Church.  On  the  24th  of  October  the  following  were  chosen 
the  first  officers  of  Zion's  Church:  John  Reuf,  Henr>'  L.  Mattes,  Christian  Ippich,  Josiah 
A.  Siegfried,  William  Schlechter,  Owen  Seibert,  Ferdinand  Hartel,  John  Gomringer, 
Friederich  MuUer,  Alfred  Muller,  Alfred  Mebus,  Andrew  Pickle  and  William  F. 
Schlechter.  On  the  ist  of  January,  1871,  the  first  services  were  held  in  the  new  church. 
The  congregation  grew  rapidly  and  in  a  short  time  the  enlargement  of  the  edifice  became 
necessary.  At  the  time  this  work  was  being  done  a  cupola  was  added  to  the  building,  a 
new  organ  was  procured  and  a  bell  purchased.  These  improvements  having  been 
completed,  the  church  was  re-dedicated  at  the  Advent  festival  in  1872.  The  congregation 
now  numbers  over  four  hundred  communicant  members.  The  Sabbath  School  contains 
four  hundred  and  fifty  pupils  and  thirty  teachers.  The  superintendents  of  the  school 
were,  successively,  John  Teichman,  John  Reuf,  William  F.  Schlechter,  Henr}'  L.  Mattes, 
Josiah  A.  Siegfried  and  Henry  Snyder,  who  now  fills  the  position.  Mr.  Pfatteicher  has 
been  pastor  of  the  church  twenty-six  years.  He  was  born  in  Wassingen,  Baden,  and 
spent  his  early  youth  in  Switzerland,  where  he  pursued  his  studies  at  a  mission  institute. 
In  1858,  in  response  to  a  call  from  Dr.  Schafer,  of  Philadelphia,  for  divinity  students  from 
Germany,  he  came  to  the  United  States.  In  i860,  Mr.  Pfatteicher  was  ordained  at  St. 
Paul's  Church,  Philadelphia,  immediately  after  which  he  came  to  Easton  on  an  invitation 
from  Dr.  Sadtler,  then  pastor  of  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  and  shortly  thereafter 
became  assistant  pastor  of  the  same,  preaching  his  first  sermon  in  August,  i860. 

This  is  the  only  church  in  Easton  in  which  Gennan  is  exclusively  used.  Those 
coming  from  Fatherland  find  a  religious  home  where  they  can  hear  the  gospel  in  their 
native  tongue. 


ST.   PETER'S   CHURCH. 

[from  rev.  dunb.\r's  sermon.] 
Thi.s  church  was  originally  designated  the  Sixth  Lutheran  Church;  but  it  was  after- 
wards ascertained  that  the  colored  church  was  designated  the  F'irst  Colored  Lutheran 
Church,  and  the  title  of  the  church  was  changed  in  its  charter  to  the  Fifth  Lutheran 
Church.  "In  looking  for  the  first  step  which  finally  led  to  the  organization  of  St.  Peter's 
Fifth  Lutheran  congregation,  we  are  carried  back  to  the  3'ear  1870.  The  first  prominent 
event  which  diredtly  begins  the  history  of  the  church  was  the  ere(flion,  during  the  year, 
of  St.   Paul's  Mission  Chapel,  on  Porter  street,  near  High.     This  was  a  frame  building, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


lo-j 


24x40  feet,  with  a  recess  of  seven  feet  in  width  in  front  and  five  feet  in  rear,  and  three  feet 
six  inches  deep.  The  agreement  for  the  work  was  signed  on  the  one  part  by  C.  Edward 
Hecht,  David  B.  Miller,  Amandus  Schug,  and  William  Sweeny  of  St.  Paul's  Church 
and  on  the  other  part  by  Simon  Reasner  and  Charles  Stem,  the  builders.  The  Chapel 
was  finished  and  dedicated  to  divine  service  in  the  fall  of  1870,  Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad 
preaching  the  sermon.  Upon  the  completion  of  this  chapel  a  Sunday  School  was  at  once 
established.     Here  the  work  was  successfully  carried  on,   encouraged  by  an  occasional 

visit  from  Rev.  Bar- 
clay, then  pastor  of 
St.  Paul's  Church. 
Preaching  services 
were  held  as  they 
were  able  to  procure 
some  one  to  break 
to  them  the  bread 
of  life.  During  the 
years  1870  to  1873 
the  population  of 
College  Hill  in- 
creased with  great 
rapidity,  and  grew 
into  a  great  and  well 
regulated  commun- 
ity. The  idea  was 
at  once  conceived  to 
organize  a  congrega- 
tion  on  the  hill. 
Atlion  was  at  once 
taken  by  St.  Paul's 
Church  Council  to 
carr}'  the  proposition 
intoeffedl.  In  July, 
1874,  a  meeting  of 
the  people  on  the  hill 
was  called  in  the 
chapel,  at  which  it 
was  decided  to  or- 
ganize the  new  congregation.  At  the  same  meeting,  the  following  officers  were  eleded: 
Elders,  P.  A.  Shimer,  Ephraim  Bowers,  Amandus  Steinmetz,  and  James  H.  Buell; 
Deacons,  Edwin  Sandt,  Isaac  Snyder,  and  Noah  Dietrich.  These  officers  were  installed 
the  latter  part  of  July  by  Rev.  H.  W.  McKnight,  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  Church.  Amandus 
Steinmetz  was  made  Treasurer,  Edward  Sandt,  Secretary,  and  J.  H.  Buell,  P.  A.  Shimer 
and  Ephraim  Bowers,  Trustees.  In  the  month  of  September  the  vacancies  among  the 
Deacons  were  filled  by  the  election  of  Van  Selan  Walter  and  Samuel  Brinker.  The 
next  important  step  was  the  calling  of  a  pastor.      After  due  deliberation   Rev.  W.   H. 


ST.    PETER  .S    LUTHERAN    CHURCH. 


io8  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Dunbar  was  called  by  the  congregation,  and  on  Friday,  August  28,  he  was  notified  of 
his  ele<?lion,  which  he  accepted,  and  met  his  people  the  first  time  on  Sunday,  August  30, 
1874.  In  1875  it  was  discovered  that  the  success  of  the  enterprise  demanded  the  eredlion 
of  a  new  church  edifice.  In  view  of  this,  early  in  the  Spring  of  1875,  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Council,  it  was  resolved  to  build  a  new  church.  A  building  committee  was  appointed, 
consisting  of  A.  Steinmetz,  P.  A.  Shimer,  and  Ephraim  Bowers,  who  were  given  full 
power  to  raise  the  money  and  carry  on  the  work.  William  Werkheiser  was  appointed 
building  treasurer.  The  work  was  at  once  entered  upon  with  great  earnestness  and 
energy.  The  lot  upon  which  the  church  was  built  cost  $1500,  and  was  a  present  to 
the  congregation  from  Mr.  John  Eyennan,  of  St.  Paul's  Church.  The  new  church 
was  completed  by  the  middle  of  Januar>',  1876.  The  large  and  handsome  Bible  in  the 
pulpit  was  a  gift  from  Dr.  Cattell,  and  the  reading  desk  from  Amaudus  Steinmetz. 
The  church  was  dedicated  January  16,  1876.  The  clergy-men  present  to  participate 
in  the  services  were  Revs.  Dr.  Conrad,  McKnight,  Henn,-,  Fleck,  Rizer  and  Deer. 
The  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Conrad.  And  now  the  work  of  building 
being  completed,  attention  could  be  turned  to  spiritual  work.  But  alas!  There 
was  a  debt  of  $5000  for  the  building,  which  was  increased  to  $7000  by  obtaining  an  organ, 
and  heaters,  and  other  necessar\'  furniture. ' '  The  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr.  Dunbar  closed  in 
May,  1880.  In  the  summer  of  the  same  year  Rev.  H.  B.  Wile  became  pastor  and  under 
his  pastorate  the  church  became  free  from  debt.  It  is  a  beautiful  building,  located  in  a 
delightful  place,  in  a  growing  community,  with  bright  prospedls  of  future  usefulness. 

There  is  a  fine  parsonage,  built  since  Rev.  Mr.  Dunbar's  ministrj-.  It  is  adjoining 
the  church  and  is  similar  in  architedlural  style.  Rev.  J.  B.  Keller,  the  present  pastor, 
succeeded  Rev.  Mr.  Wile,  March  8,  1886.  He  was  educated  at  Gettysburg,  and  ordained 
at  Easton,  in  Christ's  Church,  during  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Greenwald.  He  came  to 
Easton  from  Williams,  Maryland,  to  accept  the  call  to  this  pastorate. 

This  church  reports  one  hundred  and  fifty  members,  and  a  membership  in  the 
Sabbath  School  of  one  hundred  and  forty. 


ST.   LUKE'S  CHURCH. 

[rev.  a.  W.  WALTER.] 
On  Odlober  12,  1874,  a  communication,  signed  by  Rev.  William  Ashmead  Schaeifer 
and  two  laymen  of  Christ  Lutheran  Church,  was  sent  to  the  Vestry  of  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Church  in  reference  to  the  establishing  of  a  Mission  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  A 
similar  document  was  also  sent  to  the  Vestry  of  Zion's  Lutheran  Church,  and  subsequently 
a  meeting  of  the  joint  committee,  consisting  of  the  three  pastors  and  two  laymen  from 
each  congregation,  was  held  in  Zion's  Church.  Other  meetings  were  held  during  the 
winter,  committees  were  appointed,  etc.  The  first  public  meeting  for  services  was  held 
in  a  building  on  Twelfth  street,  near  Ferr>',  on  Sunday  afternoon,  July  4,  1875.  Rev. 
Schaeffer  adled  as  superintendent,  and  the  school  was  then  under  the  guidance  of  St. 
John's,  Christ  and  Zion's  Lutheran  Churches.  There  were  present  at  the  first  meeting 
ninety  scholars,  divided  into  nine  classes  of  girls  and  five  of  boys,  with  fourteen  teacher.s. 


E ASTON,    PENNA.  109 

The  first  officers  were:  Mr.  F.  H.  Lehr,  Superintendent;  Rev.  William  A.  Schaeffer, 
Secretary  and  Treasurer;  Miss  Ella  Gerspach,  Organist.  The  school  rapidly  increased 
and  a  larger  room  was  in  great  demand,  when,  in  1882,  St.  John's  purchased  the  lot 
situated  at  the  corner  of  Eleventh  and  Ferry  streets,  and  eredled  thereupon  the  present 
beautiful  building,  32x54  feet.  In  May,  1885,  Rev.  A.  W.  Walter,  having  moved  to 
Easton,  Pa.,  from  Decatur,  Illinois,  on  account  of  ill  health,  he  was  earnestly  requested 
to  supply  this  church,  which  he  did,  and  by  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Vestry  of  St. 
John's  Church,  services  were  held  every  Sunday  evening  beginning  with  July  of  the  same 
year.  The  demand  for  more  services,  and  the  growth  warranting  the  same,  a  meeting 
was  held  at  Rev.  A.  W.  Walter's  residence  January  12,  1886,  six  persons  being  present, 
to  take  in  consideration  the  advisability  of  an  organization  as  a  church,  when  it  was 
resolved  that  a  regular  meeting  be  called  at  the  church,  January-  18,  1886,  to  ascertain  the 
condition  etc.,  looking  toward  such  an  organization.  The  proposed  meeting  was  held 
and  an  organization  effe6led  to  be  known  as  "  St.  Luke's  Evangelical  lyUtheran  Church, 
Easton,  Pa. "  A  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  and  present  the  same  at 
the  next  meeting  held  January  25th,  when  persons  desiring  to  identify  themselves  as 
members  of  this  organization  could  do  so  by  signing  the  constitution;  the  same, 
recommended  by  the  General  Council  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  for  congre- 
gations, was  adopted,  and  its  charter  members  numbered  107.  February  i,  1886,  the  first 
officers  were  eledled,  viz.:  Messrs.  John  Berkey,  Sr.,  Benjamin  F.  Ward,  Theodore  F. 
Hamman,  Edward  Walter,  Milton  D.  Ritter,  Hiram  Edelman,  William  H.  Jones,  John  J. 
Seip  and  Frank  D.  Bishop,  who  were  installed  February  5th,  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Anspach. 

March  i8th  of  the  same  year.  Rev.  A.  W.  Walter  was  elecfted  the  first  pastor,  and  on 
the  28th  of  March  was  installed.  Rev.  D.  H.  Geissinger,  of  St.  John's  Church,  delivered 
the  sennon  to  an  overcrowded  house.  The  congregation  refurnished  the  audience  room 
entirely  previous  to  the  installation  service,  and  Rev.  William  Ashmead  Schaeffer,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  preached  the  re-opening  services  March  28,  1886,  at  10.30  A.  m.  The 
first  Communion  services  were  held  Easter  morning,  April  25,  1886.  The  present  officers 
of  the  school  are  Rev.  A.  W.  Walter,  Superintendent;  George  I.  Nungesser,  Assistant 
Superintendent;  John  J.  Seip,  Secretary;  Theodore  F.  Hamman,  Treasurer;  Miss  Lizzie 
Walter,  Organist.     The  Sunday  School  numbers  340  officers,  teachers  and  scholars. 

Rev.  A.  W.  Walter  was  born  in  Easton,  Pa.,  June  5,  1859.  He  received  his  early 
training  in  the  common  schools  of  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  prepared  for  college  in  the 
High  School.  He  pursued  his  Theological  studies  in  the  Lutheran  Seminary  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1881,  and  was  ordained  at  Pottstown,  Pa.,  June  13, 
of  the  same  year. 


REDEMPTIONERS. 


A  VERY  large  part  of  the  early  German  immigrants  came  to  Pennsylvania  to  enjoy 
religious  freedom.  But  later  they  came  hoping  to  better  their  condition  and  obtain  homes 
and  comforts  which  they  were  led  to  believe  they  could  easily  obtain  in  Pennsylvania. 
Ship  owners  and  other  interested  parties  largely  advertised  in  glowing  terms  the  advan- 
tages to  be  obtained  by  going  to  the  new  world.  Thousands  who  were  poor,  not  able  to 
pay  their  passage,  agreed  to  bind  themselves  to  labor  for  any  man  to  whom  they  might  be 


no  THE  HISTORY  OF 

sold  on  their  arrival  in  Pennsylvania,  for  the  time  agreed  upon.  Some  for  two,  others  for 
three  or  more  years,  would  be  put  up  at  au(?lion  and  sold  to  the  highest  bidder,  just  as 
slaves  were  sold.  These  were  called  Redemptioners,  and  were  sold  for  about  ten  to  fifteen 
pounds.  Many  of  them,  after  serving  out  their  time  faithfully,  became,  by  frugality 
and  industry,  to  be  among  the  most  influential  citizens  in  the  State.  The  years  that 
were  peculiarly  remarkable  for  the  importation  of  Palatinate  redemptioners  were  from 
1728  to  1 75 1,  yet  the  practice  of  selling  continued  for  many  years,  and  was  not  abolished 
within  the  eighteenth  century.  There  was  a  set  of  men  who  were  called  soul-drivers, 
who  used  to  drive  redemptioners  through  the  country  and  dispose  of  them  to  the  farmers. 
They  generally  purchased  them  in  lots  consisting  of  fifty  or  more,  of  captains  of  ships  to 
whom  the  redemptioners  were  indebted  for  their  passage.  The  trade  was  ver}-  brisk  for 
many  j'ears,  but  (as  the  country  increased  in  population)  broke  up  about  1785,  by  the 
numbers  that  ran  away  from  the  drivers.  A  story  is  told  of  one  of  these  soul-drivers 
having  been  tricked  by  one  of  his  herd.  This  fellow,  by  a  little  management,  contrived 
to  be  the  last  of  the  flock  that  remained  unsold,  and  of  course  travelled  about  with  his 
master.  One  night  they  lodged  at  a  tavern,  and  in  the  morning  the  young  fellow  rose 
early  and  sold  his  master  to  the  landlord,  pocketed  the  money,  and  marched  off.  Before 
going,  he  used  the  precaution  to  tell  the  purchaser  that,  though  tolerably  clever  in  other 
respe(fls,  he  was  rather  saucy  and  a  little  given  to  lying.  That  he  had  even  been 
presumptuous  enough  at  times  to  endeav-or  to  pass  for  master,  and  that  he  might  possibly 
represent  himself  as  such  to  him. 


:aston  scknkry — a  \iic\v  ok  "hot  rocj 


HON.   GEORGE  TAYLOR 


h  sunny  dales,  dearly  they  bloom; 
Scotia  hath  heather  hills,  sweet  their  perfume; 
Yet  through  the  wilderness  cheerful  we  stray, 
Native  land,  native  land — home  far  away  ! 
Pilgrims  and  wanderers,  hither  we  come; 
Where  the  free  dare  to  be — this  is  our  home. — Lunt. 


JHERE  is  no  group  of  names  in  modern  history  which  attracfts  more  special 
interest  than  the  names  of  those  who  signed  the  immortal  roll  which 
established  the  nationality  of  the  United  States.  This  simple  a&.  has 
gained  for  them  their  immortality — they  were  brave  men.  The  Declaration, 
in  case  of  failure,  would  have  been  their  death  warrant.  They  believed 
in  God;  they  believed  in  the  justice  of  their  cause;  they  would  rather  die 
for  freedom  than  live  slaves  to  a  foreign  power;  and  so  with  a  bold, 
unflinching  courage,  they  affixed  their  names  to  the  document  sacred  to 
liberty.  None  but  an  eye  of  faith  could  see  through  the  gloom  which 
hung  over  the  future,  when  John  Hancock  took  his  pen,  wrote  his  name 
in  letters  in  nearly  a  half  inch  space,  and  looking  at  them,  exclaimed, 
"There,  John  Bull  can  read  that  without  his  glasses."  Charles  Carroll,  while  writing 
his  name,  being  reminded  that  there  were  two  Charles  Carrolls  in  Maryland,  and 
that  the  wrong  one  might  pay  the  penalty  of  treason  if  they  failed  in  the  Revolution, 
added  the  words  "of  Carrollton,"  thus  pointing  out  his  home;  and  these  two  simple 
words  will  pass  down  the  ages  to  the  end  of  time  affixed  to  the  name  of  Charles  Carroll. 
There  are  moments  in  the  lives  of  men  which  sometimes  fix  their  charadler  for  real 
greatness.     This  moment  came  in  this  turning  point  in  human  history. 

George  Taylor  was  one  of  this  number  of  great  men.  He  was  born  in  Ireland,  in 
1716.  He  was  the  son  of  a  clergyman,  who  gave  him  an  education  which  prepared 
him  for  the  useful  positions  he  occupied  in  after  life.  It  was  all  his  father  could  give  him. 
He  had  no  one  to  help  him  in  the  world,  and  nothing  to  depend  upon  but  his  industrj-  and 
perseverance.  His  father  had  thought  to  have  his  son  study  medicine,  which  profession 
he  began.  He  was  quick,  adlive  and  intelligent,  but  his  turn  of  mind  did  not  fit  him  for 
the  kind  of  study  which  success  required.  He  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  in  a  very 
different  way.  His  mind  was  turned  to  America  as  his  future  home.  He  heard  of  a 
vessel  about  to  sail  for  Philadelphia,  he  deserted  his  medical  studies,  and,  without  a 
sixpence  in  his  pocket,  embarked  as  a  redemptioner,  for  the  new  world.  On  his  arrival 
in  America,  he  bound  himself  for  a  term  of  years  to  a  Mr.  Savage,  who  paid  the  expenses 
incurred  in  crossing  the  Atlantic.  This  person  had  charge  of  the  Durham  furnace,  on  the 
Delaware  river,  about  ten  miles  below  Easton.  Taylor  came  with  Mr.  Savage  to  Durham, 
and  faithfully  served  out  his  time,  and  hence  he  was  called  a  redemptioner.  He  was  set 
to  work  as  a  coal  heaver,  that  is,  to  fill  the  furnace  with  coal  when  in  blast.  He  had  not 
been  accustomed  to  such  rude  work,  as  the  blisters  on  his  hands  showed.  The  fa(5l  was 
mentioned  to  Mr.  Savage,  who  took  compassion  on  the  lad,  ascertained  that  his  education 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


fitted  him  for  a  more  important  position,  and  Mr.  Savage  asked  him  if  he  could  not 
handle  a  pen  better  than  he  could  a  shovel.  Taylor  was  glad  of  the  change,  was  installed 
as  clerk,  and  soon  made  himself  an  important  member  of  the  establishment.  He  retained 
this  position  several  years;  when  Mr.  Savage  died,  he  married  his  widow,  and  became 
proprietor  of  the  whole  concern.  By  industry,  prudence  and  economy,  he  amassed  a 
considerable  fortune,  but  for  some  reason  he  purchased  land  on  the  Lehigh,  built  a  large 
house  and  made  it  his  residence.  Mr.  Taylor  had  not  been  long  an  inhabitant  of  North- 
ampton before  he  was  called  into  public  life.  In  1764  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Provincial  Assembly,  and  was  placed  on  the  Committee  of  Aggrievances,  one  of  the 
important  positions  in  the  body.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  discussion  of  the  great 
questions  which  then  agitated  the  province,  the  alteration  of  the  charter  and  the  refonna- 
tion  of  the  proprietary  government,  into  which  many  serious  abuses  had  crept.  In  1765 
the  speaker  of  the  Assembly  received  a  communication 
from  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  suggesting  the 
meeting  of  a  general  Congress  at  New  York  in 
Autumn.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  in 
September,  the  proposition  was  agreed  to  without  a 
dissenting  voice.  The  Speaker,  Mr.  Fox,  and  Messrs. 
Dickinson,  Bryan  and  Morton,  were  ele<5ted  as 
delegates,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  draw  up 
instructions  for  their  government  when  in  session. 
Mr.  Taylor  was  appointed  on  this  committee;  the 
instruClions  were  drawn  up,  presented  to  the  House 
next  day,  and  approved  by  the  Assembly.  In  Odlober 
Mr.  Taylor  was  again  eledled  to  represent  North- 
ampton County  in  the  Provincial  Assembly,  and  again 
became  an  active  member  on  several  useful  commit- 
tees, and  a  participator  in  all  the  leading  measures. 
In  the  month  of  June  following,  we  find  Mr.  Taylor 
appointed  on  a  committee  to  draw  up  an  address  of 
thanks  to  the  king  for  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Adl.  Thirty-five  years  before,  Mr.  Taylor 
was  a  poor  boy  working  his  way  across  the  Atlantic  because  he  had  not  a  penny  with 
which  to  pay  it;  now  we  find  him  a  member  of  a  legislative  body  by  whose  appointment 
he  is  instrudled  to  confer  with  one  of  the  mightiest  rulers  of  the  globe.  Verily,  truth  is 
sometimes  stranger  than  fiction.  The  work  was  done  well,  and  Pennsylvania  was  still 
loyal  to  the  king.  The  storm  cloud  was  only  gathering,  not  yet  ready  to  burst.  From 
this  period  till  1770,  Mr.  Taylor  continued  to  take  his  seat  in  the  Assembly;  and  we 
find  him  on  the  committee  to  amend  the  judiciary  establishment;  regulate  the  assessment 
of  taxes;  to  investigate  the  rights  of  the  House;  to  raise  loans  on  bills  of  credit;  to  prepare  a 
system  of  improvement  in  the  navigation  of  the  great  rivers  of  the  province.  In  the  early 
part  of  1763,  he  exerted  himself  earnestly  to  bring  to  justice  the  murderers  of  Indians, 
which  had  come  near  involving  the  province  in  a  war  with  them.  He  thought  the 
Governor  had  not  done  his  duty,  and  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee  by  the  Assembly 
to  confer  with  the  Governor,  and  there  was  some  very  jilain  talk  with  his  Excellency. 
"Murders  have  long  since  been  committed,"   they  .saj',  "and  not  a  single  warrant  has 


GEORGE   TAYLOR. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  113 

been  issued  for  the  purpose  of  justice;  murders  perpetrated  at  noon-day,  in  a  populous 
borough,  before  a  number  of  spectators,  and  yet  the  names  of  the  criminals  are  undis- 
covered. There  is  a  manifest  failure  of  justice  somewhere.  From  whence  can  it  arise  ? 
Not  from  the  laws — they  are  adequate  to  the  offence.  It  must  be  either  from  debility  or 
inexcusable  negledl  in  the  executive  part  of  the  government  to  put  their  laws  in 
execution."  This  is  severe  language  for  one  to  use  who  was  so  poor  in  his  boyhood  as  to 
a(ft  the  part  of  redemptioner  to  pay  his  passage  across  the  sea.  What  a  beautiful  lesson 
for  the  aspiring  youth  of  Easton.  But  Mr.  Taylor  was  only  preparing  for  loftier  positions 
in  the  councils  of  his  country.  From  this  period  until  1775  Mr.  Taylor's  name  is  not 
found  in  the  journals  of  the  House.  During  this  interval  he  was  busy  in  his  private 
affairs,  carrying  on  a  business  in  conne<ftion  with  iron  manufaflure,  but  not  meeting  with 
the  success  of  former  times,  he  returned  to  Durham,  the  place  of  his  former  prosperity. 
During  these  few  years  he  a<?ted  as  judge,  and  was  appointed  Colonel  of  Volunteers,  by 
which  title  he  was  addressed  in  after  years.  In  0(?tober,  1775,  he  was  again  ele(?ted  a 
delegate  to  the  Provincial  Assembly,  and  took  his  seat  on  the  fourteenth  of  that  month. 
He  was  at  once  appointed  on  several  important  committees,  such  as  those  on  grants  to  the 
crown;  settlement  of  Connecflicut  claims;  procuring  arms  for  the  public  service ;  preparing 
a  system  of  military  discipline  for  the  province,  and  above  all  on  the  Committee  of  Safety 
for  the  province,  which  was  now  the  revolutionary  organ  of  the  government. 

While  Mr.  Taylor  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Province  at 
Philadelphia,  he  was  the  busiest  of  the  number.  This  Committee  was  the  Provincial 
Organ  of  the  Revolution  for  Pennsylvania.  The  energetic  and  daring  souls  must  take 
the  places.     The  following  letter  tells  its  own  story.     (Colonial  Records.) 

Shrewsbury,  N.  J.,  October  19,  1776. 

"Sir  :  I  can  infonn  you  that  two  ships  of  war  are  now  passing  our  quarters  and  stand- 
ing along  the  shore  to  the  southward;  we  suppose  they  are  bound  to  the  capes.  This 
intelligence  is  by  the  request  of  Captain  Boid,  who  has  lately  been  with  me  on  said 
account.  You  can  depend  upon  every  item  of  intelligence  from  your  very  humble  and 
obedient  servant,  GEORGE  TAYLOR." 

P.  S. — We  have  a  fleet  of  sixty-four  sail  now  lying  at  Sandy  Hook,  inward  bound. 
"  71>  Thomas  Wharton,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Comtnittee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia^ 

So  that  Taylor  was  standing  on  the  watch  tower  of  freedom,  on  the  Jersey  coast, 
looking  after  the  movements  of  the  English  fleet,  and  transmitting  the  news  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  at  Philadelphia.  A  courier  could  fly  across  the  State  of  New  Jersey  and  raise 
the  alarm  in  advance  of  a  moving  fleet  round  Cape  May.  The  committee  could  prepare 
for  the  danger.  We  get  something  of  an  insight  of  the  adlivity  and  painful  and  ceaseless 
watching  and  harassing  care  which  weighed  upon  the  souls  of  those  men.  The  times 
had  greatly  changed  since  Mr.  Taylor  was  in  the  Assembly  before.  The  cloud  which  was 
then  gathering  over  the  devoted  colonies  had  burst  in  fury  on  the  plains  of  Concord  and 
Lexington,  and  on  Bunker  Hill.  The  blood  of  patriots  was  hot.  The  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill  had  taught  the  British  that  the  colonists  were  not  cowards,  and  that  they  were  bent 
on  war.  The  die  was  cast.  The  war  was  begun.  November  4,  1775,  the  Legislature 
proceeded  to  elecft  delegates  to  the  succeeding  Continental  Congress;  and  shortly  after  they 
had  chosen  them,  Mr.  Taylor  was  appointed  with  several  other  gentlemen  to  prepare  and 


114  THE  HISTORY  OF 

report  a  draft  of  instnidlions  by  which  the  delegates  were  to  be  governed  in  their  delibera- 
tions. It  was  a  delicate  duty.  The  Pennsylvania  delegation  was  not  unanimous;  but  it  was 
evident  that  a  crisis  was  at  hand,  when  the  wise  might  anticipate,  and  the  bold  and  vigor- 
ous might  hope  for,  a  separation  from  the  mother  countr}-.  jMassachusetts  had  been 
oppressed,  but  Pennsylvania  had  been  kindly  treated,  and  there  seemed  a  reluAance  to 
break  the  tie.  Her  proprietary  government  had  been  condudled  without  oppression,  her 
constitution  was  liberal,  Democratic  to  an  extent,  not  known  in  other  colonies;  and  her 
population  was  largely,  by  habit,  little  inclined  to  uncrompromising  violence.  The  rash 
and  arbitrary  proceedings  of  the  British  government  were  fast  wearing  away  this  kindly 
feeling.  Under  these  circumstances  Mr.  Taylor  and  other  members  of  the  committee 
drew  up  instrudlions  to  this  effecft:  "We  therefore,  in  general,  diredl  that  j'ou,  or  any  four 
of  you,  meet  the  delegates  of  the  colonies,  and  use  your  endeavors  to  agree  upon  and 
recommend  such  measures  as  you  shall  judge  to  afford  the  best  prospecft  of  obtaining 
redress  of  American  grievances,  and  restoring  that  hannony  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  colonies,  so  essential  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  both  countries."  They  instrudled 
their  delegates  to  utterly  rejecft  any  proje6l  which  should  separate  the  colonies  from  Eng- 
land. The  ensuing  winter  and  spring  of  1776  had  brought  a  rapid  and  decided  change 
in  the  sentiments  of  the  people.  They  became  more  and  more  convinced  of  the  necessity 
of  a  separation,  and  to  prepare  more  and  more  earnestly  for  diredl  resistance.  Four 
months  had  scarcely  elapsed  since  the  report  we  have  just  mentioned,  so  guarded  and 
pacific  in  tone,  was  presented  by  one  committee,  of  which  Mr.  Taylor  was  a  member, 
when  another,  to  which  he  also  belonged,  laid  before  the  Assembly  a  document  which 
bears  all  the  marks  of  a  detennined  and  indignant  spirit.  They  speak  of  their  faithful 
discharge  of  their  duties  for  the  public  welfare.  They  tell  of  their  efforts  to  prepare  the 
province  for  defense.  "Every  day  brings  fresh  proofs,"  they  say,  "of  the  v-iolence  of 
the  British  Ministry',  and  of  their  fixed  purpose  to  subdue  the  free  spirit  of  America,  that 
has  yet  given  such  obstrTi<5lion  to  all  their  schemes  of  tyranny  and  despotism."  The 
committee  recommend  the  raising  of  troops  for  the  public  defense.  In  June,  1776,  the 
same  committee  recommended  the  raising  of  two  thou.sand  troops,  a  part  of  which  should 
be  regulars,  and  the  remainder  riflemen,  for  the  public  defense.  They  thought  the 
situation  in  public  affairs  so  changed  that  they  felt  justifiable  in  removing  the  restri(5lions 
they  had  imposed  upon  their  delegates  in  Congress.  News  had  come  across  the  sea  that 
the  British  government  had  pronounced  resistance  in  America  open  rebellion;  that  treaties 
had  been  formed  with  foreign  princes  for  soldiers  to  subdue  the  proud  spirit  of  the  colonies. 
The  day  for  compromise  was  passed.  The  bright  days  of  July  were  near  at  hand.  The 
most  glorious  event  since  the  crucifixion  would  soon  gladden  the  souls  of  men  reaching 
out  after  freedom.  Brave  men  would  stand  around  the  scene  of  a  nation's  birth.  There 
were  a  few  leading  men  in  Pennsylvania  who  yet  hesitated,  doubtful  which  course  to 
pursue;  whether  to  renounce  the  British  government,  or  the  Revolution.  And  they  .say, 
"  But,  if  we  must  renounce  the  one  or  the  other,  we  humbly  trust  in  the  mercies  of  the 
Supreme  Governor  of  the  Universe,  that  we  shall  not  stand  condemned  before  his  throne, 
if  our  choice  is  determined  by  that  over-ruling  law  of  self-preservation,  which  His  divine 
wisdom  has  thought  fit  to  implant  in  the  hearts  of  his  creatures."*  These  views  of  the 
Assembly  were  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  people;  but,  owing  to  the 
*  Sanderson'.s  Lives  of  Signere,  paKf  ■'i.S- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  u^ 

reluctance  which  existed  in  the  minds  of  many  of  the  members,  of  thus  making  a  breach 
which  could  never  be  repaired,  the  views  were  not  adopted  with  the  unanimity  which 
so  great  a  measure  required.  Indeed,  it  had  become  evident  that  an  essential  change 
ought  to  be  made  in  the  nature  of  the  government,  and  the  whole  energies  of  the  province 
should  be  exerted  in  giving  weight  to  the  great  objecfl  at  which  Congress  was  aiming. 
The  regular  Assembly  was,  therefore,  allowed  gradually  to  cease  by  the  absence  of  its 
members,  and  a  temporary  body,  called  a  conference,  consisting  of  committees  chosen  by 
each  county,  met  at  Philadelphia,  and  assumed  by  degrees  a  large  portion  of  the  legislative 
powers.  On  the  twenty-fourth  of  June  they  took  up  the  subjecfl  which  had  engaged  the 
attention  of  the  Assembly — the  dissolution  of  allegiance  to  Great  Britain — and  coinciding 
in  the  views  which  we  have  seen  that  body  adopt,  passed  a  resolution  unanimously,  as 
the  deputies  of  the  people  of  Pennsylvania,  in  which  they  expressed  their  willingness  to 
concur  in  a  vote  of  Congress,  declaring  the  United  Colonies  free  and  independent  states, 
and  asserted  that  this  measure  did  not  originate  in  ambition  or  in  an  impatience  of  lawful 
authority,  but  that  they  were  driven  to  it  in  obedience  to  the  first  principles  of  nature, 
by  the  oppression  and  cruelties  of  the  king  and  parliament,  as  the  only  measure  left  to 
preserve  and  establish  their  liberties  and  transmit  them  inviolate  to  posterity.  Embold- 
ened by  this  approbation,  and  that  of  most  of  the  colonies,  Congress  proceeded  zealously 
towards  the  great  end.  But  in  their  body  there  were  yet  many  who  looked  with  fearful 
anticipation  on  the  consequences.  Among  these  were  several  of  the  delegates  from 
Pennsylvania,  and  neither  the  instructions  of  the  Assembly,  nor  the  resolutions  above 
named,  had  yet  changed  their  sentiments.  When  we  mention  among  these  the  name  of 
that  great  and  good  man,  John  Dickenson,  we  give  sufficient  proof  that  the  cause  of  these 
sentiments  was  no  unmanly  fear.  It  was  a  reluctance  to  jeopardize  the  future  prospects 
of  the  country,  by  involving  them  in  a  war  with  a  powerful  nation;  it  was,  they  asserted, 
changing  the  wholesome  system  of  resistance  to  arbitrary  acts  into  the  pursuits  of  ends 
which  the  happiness  of  the  people  did  not  require.  It  was  relinquishing  the  safe  ground 
on  which  the  colonies  had  planted  themselves,  and  rushing  into  a  war  which,  in  its 
course,  must  bring  with  it  slaughter  and  inexpressible  distress,  and  in  its  end  might  fix  a 
severe  despotism  on  the  ruins  of  liberties  that  had  been  rashly  hazarded. 

Fortunately,  there  was  energy  enough  in  Congress  to  resist  these  plausible,  but 
delusive,  opinions;  and,  when  the  ultimate  question  was  proposed,  an  approving  vote  by 
all  the  colonies  gave  to  the  measure  of  resistance  that  unanimity  which  secured  its 
eventual  success.  Of  the  delegates  from  Pennsylvania,  however,  five  still  retained  their 
sentiments  in  opposition  to  the  majority.  The  approbation  of  the  State  was  only  obtained 
by  the  casting  vote  of  Mr.  Morton.  Under  these  circumstances  a  new  choice  of  repre- 
sentatives became  necessary,  and  on  the  twentieth  of  July  the  convention  of  the  State 
proceeded  to  elect  them.  Mr.  Morton,  Dr.  Franklin,  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Wilson  were 
re-elected,  and  in  lieu  of  the  other  five  gentlemen  were  substituted  Mr.  Taylor,  Mr.  Ross, 
Mr.  Clymer,  Dr.  Rush,  and  Mr.  Smith.  On  the  same  day  Mr.  Taylor  took  his  seat  in 
Congress.  On  the  second  of  August,  following,  Mr.  Taylor  signed  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  It  was  not  until  that  time  that  any  delegate  actually  affixed  his  signature 
to  the  instrument;  for,  although  it  was  passed  and  proclaimed  on  the  fourth  of  July 
preceding,  the  copy  engrossed  on  parchment  was  not  prepared  until  nearly  a  month  after. 
These  circumstances  have  once  or  twice  given  rise  to  errors,  but  they  have  been  fully 


ii6  THE  HISTORY  OF 

explained  in  a  letter  from  Mr.    M'Kean,  one  of  the  delegates  from  Delaware,  which  is 
inserted  in  his  life.     The  following  is  the  letter  of  M'Kean. 

Philadelphia,  September  26,  1796. 
"Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  nineteenth  instant,  respecftingthe  Declaration  of  Independence, 
should  not  have  remained  so  long  unanswered,  if  the  duties  of  my  office  of  Chief  Justice 
had  not  engrossed  my  whole  attention  while  the  Court  was  sitting.  For  several  years 
past  I  have  been  taught  to  think  less  unfavorably  of  scepticism  than  fonnerly.  So  many 
things  have  been  misrepresented,  misstated,  and  erroneously  printed  (with  seeming 
authenticity)  under  my  own  eye,  as  in  my  opinion  to  render  those  who  doubt  of  everything 
not  altogether  inexcusable.  The  publication  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  on  the 
Fourth  of  July,  1776,  as  printed  in  the  Journals  of  Congress  (Vol.  II,  page  241),  and  also 
in  the  adls  of  most  public  bodies  since,  so  far  as  respecfls  the  names  of  the  delegates  or 
deputies  who  made  that  Declaration,  has  led  to  the  above  refle(flion.  By  the  printed 
publications  referred  to,  it  would  appear  as  if  the  fifty-five  gentlemen,  whose  names  are 
there  printed,  and  none  other,  were  on  that  day  personally  present  in  Congress,  and 
assenting  to  the  Declaration;  whereas  the  truth  is  otherwise.  The  following  gentlemen 
were  not  members  of  Congress  on  the  fourth  of  July,  1776,  namely:  Matthew  Thornton, 
Benjamin  Rush,  George  Clymer,  James  Smith,  George  Taylor  and  George  Ro.ss.  The 
five  last  named  were  not  chosen  delegates  until  the  twentieth  day  of  that  month;  the  first 
not  until  the  twelfth  day  of  September  following,  nor  did  he  take  his  seat  in  Congress 
until  the  fourth  of  November,  which  was  four  months  after.  The  Journals  of  Congress 
(Vol.  II,  pages  277  and  442),  as  well  as  those  of  the  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
(page  53),  and  of  the  General  Assembly  of  New  Hampshire,  established  these  fac?ts. 
Although  the  six  gentlemen  named  had  been  very  adlive  in  the  American  cause,  and 
some  of  them  to  ni)-  own  knowledge,  wannly  in  favor  of  independence,  previous  to  the 
day  on  which  it  was  declared,  yet  I  personally  know  that  none  of  them  were  in  Congress 
on  that  day.  Modesty  should  not  rob  any  man  of  his  just  honor,  when  by  that  honor,  his 
modesty  cannot  be  offended.  My  name  is  not  in  the  printed  journals  of  Congress,  as  a 
party  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  this,  like  an  error  in  the  first  concodlion, 
has  vitiated  most  of  the  subsequent  publications;  and  yet  the  fa6l  is,  that  I  was  then  a 
member  of  Congress  for  the  State  of  Delaware,  was  personally  present  in  Congress,  and 
voted  in  favor  of  independence  on  the  fourth  of  July,  1776,  and  signed  the  declaration 
after  it  had  been  engrossed  on  parchment,  where  my  name,  in  my  own  handwriting,  still 
appears.  Henry  Wisner,  of  the  State  of  New  York,  was  also  in  Congress,  and  voted  for 
independence. 

"  I  do  not  know  how  the  misstatement  in  the  printed  journal  happened.  The  manu- 
script of  the /i«/V/'r  journal  has  no  names  annexed  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  nor 
has  the  secret  journal;  but  it  appears  by  the  latter,  that  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  July, 
1776,  the  Congress  directed  that  it  should  be  engrossed  on  parchment,  and  signed  by 
every  viember^  and  that  it  was  so  produced  on  the  second  of  August,  and  signed.  This 
is  interlined  in  the  secret  journal,  in  the  handwriting  of  Charles  Thompson,  Esq.,  the 
Secretary.  The  present  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States  and  myself  have  lately 
inspected  the  journals,  and  seen  this.     The  journal  was  first  printed  by  Mr.  John  Dunlap, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


117 


in  1778,  and  probably  copies,  with  the  names  then  signed  to  it,  were  printed  in  Angnst, 
1776,  and  that  Mr.  Dunlap  printed  the  names  from  one  of  //icui. 

"  I  have  now,  sir,  given  you  a  true,  though  brief,  history  of  this  affair,  and,  as  you  are 
engaged  in  publishing  a  new  edition  of  the  Laws  of  Pennsylvania,  I  am  obliged  to  you 
for  affording  the  favorable  opportunity  of  conveying  to  you  this  information,  authorizing 
you  to  make  any  use  of  it  you  please.     I  am,  sir,  with  particular  esteem. 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  M'KEAN." 
'•'■Alexander  James  Dallas,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  State  for  Pemisylvaniay 

We  have  thus  far  traced  the  life  of  Mr.  Taylor,  following  mainly  the  work  of 
Sanderson,  author  of  the  "Lives  of  the  Signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence," 
in  nine  volumes.  In  transcribing  the  legislative  career  of  Mr.  Taylor,  we  have  followed 
this  author  very  closely,  and,  inasmuch  as  he  copied  from  the  records  of  the  Provincial 
Assembly,  it  must  be  looked  upon  as  correcfl.  Mr.  Taylor  was  elecTled  a  member  of  the 
Assembly  in  1764,  and  must  have  removed  from  his  farm,  which  was  situated  in  what  is 
now  Catasauqua,  to  Easton  in  the  same  year  in  which  he  became  a  member  of  the  Assembly, 
for  we  find  him  in  Easton  in  1764.  He  was  appointed  in  that  year  one  of  the  trustees  to 
have  charge  of  the  building  of  the  Court  House,  and  all  the  moneys  expended  in  the  work 
passed  through  his  hands.  Thus,  wherever  he  appears  in  our  early  history,  he  steps  to 
the  front.  In  his  career  as  legislator,  in  business  for  himself,  in  business  for  the  community 
in  which  he  lived,  he  .always  acquitted  himself  to  his  credit.  From  the  humblest 
positions  in  life,  to  that  of  membership  in  the  national  legislature,  he  was  never  found 
wanting.  He  could  adl  as  coal-heaver  without  wounding  his  pride,  or  sign  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  without  exciting  his  vanity.  He  was  a  citizen  of  Easton,  mainly,  for 
seventeen  years,  yet  we  find  but  very  little  material  for  the  pen  of  the  historian  during 
that  time.  Having  again  leased  the  Durham  Furnace,  the  scene  of  his  former  prosperty, 
he  became  engaged  in  casting  cannon  balls  to  fire  at  the  enemies  of  freedom.  He  must 
have  done  a  large  business  in  casting  these  balls  for  the  public  use,  for  we  find  the  following  in 
the  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  V,  in  Council  of  Safety,  August  17,  1776:  "An  order  was 
drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbit  in  favor  of  George  Taylor,  for  .j/^iooo,  toward  shot  cast  by  him  for 
the  service  of  the  State  to  be  charged  to  his  account."  So  it  seems  he  had  a  running 
account,  and  the  sum  here  mentioned  was  one  payment.  These  missiles  were  cast  in 
Durham,  and  sent  down  the  river  in  the  Durham  boats.  On  January  30,  1777,  George 
Taylor  and  George  Walton  were  appointed  by  Congress  to  be  present  and  preside  at  the 
Indian  treaty  to  be  holden  at  Easton.  This  great  convention  met  in  the  Gennan  Refonned 
Church  on  Third  street.  One  of  the  most  serious  troubles  with  which  the  colonies  had 
to  contend  was  the  constant  effort  of  the  English  to  stir  up  the  Indians  to  war  on  the 
western  frontier,  while  they  would  attack  in  the  front.  It  was  a  .source  of  constant 
anxiety  to  keep  the  savages  under  control.  The  treaty  to  be  holden  in  the  German 
Refonned  Church  was  for  this  purpose.  It  was,  therefore,  a  very  delicate  duty  imposed 
upon  Mr.  Taylor  to  conducft  the  negotiations  with  these  children  of  the  forest.  The 
organ  in  the  gallery  pealed  forth  its  merry  notes,  and  as  these  joyous  strains  filled  the 
temple  of  God,  Taylor  and  Walton  entered,  followed  by  the  proud  children  of  nature  in 
their  wild  and  savage  costume.     There  is  the  genial  shaking  of  hands,  the  passing  of  the 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


social  glass;  these  preliminaries  over,  the  business  was  begun,  and  was  carried  on  to  a 
successful  conclusion.  George  Taylor  was  at  this  time  a  member  of  Congress,  having 
been  ele6led  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Assembly  in  1775,  and  the  next  year  eledled  by 
that  body,  or   more  properly  by  the  Conference,   to  Congress  in  July,   and  affixed  his 

name  to  the  Declaration  in  August. 
The  year  upon  which  Taylor  was 
entering  was  the  darkest  of  the 
Revolution  and  the  darkest  hours 
in  the  life  of  General  Washington. 
Dark  clouds  came  rolling  up  from 
the  fields  of  Brandywine  and  Ger- 
mantown,  closing  in  almost  with 
the  blackness  of  midnight.  In  the 
political  writings  of  Thomas  Paine, 
when  looking  at  the  sore  trials 
through  which  the  struggling 
patriots  must  pass  with  bleeding 
feet  and  aching  hearts,  exclaimed  : 
"These  are  the  times  that  tn.- 
men's  souls."  Men  that  could 
face  such  darkness,  and  stand  to 
their  colors,  would  hardly  shudder 
at  death.  They  were  men  of  iron 
uer\-e,  who  had  sworn  their  country- 
should  be  free :  the  pathway  was 
\^x\  dark,  but  there  was  light 
beyond.  Many  unkindly  con- 
trasted the  success  of  Gates  in  the 
North  with  the  failure  of  Wash- 
ington in  the  South.  Lewis  Gor- 
don, for  twenty-five  years  a 
favorite  son  of  Northampton,  had 
entered  with  zeal  and  earnestness 
in  the  cause  of  freedom,  but  in  this 
dark  hour  had  turned  his  back 
upon  his  suffering  countrymen, 
and  declared  for  the  crown.  Gal- 
loway, of  whom  Taylor  had  rented 
the  Durham  furnace  in  1774,  who 
had  entered  the  contest  with  the  patriots  with  a  warm  heart,  in  this  dark  hour  went  over 
to  the  king.  In  this  treason  of  Galloway,  Taylor  lost  the  bulk  of  his  property  by  the 
detention  of  the  works,  for  the  estates  of  Galloway  were  confiscated,  and  when  Taylor 
died  there  was  not  property  to  pay  liis  debts.  But  amid  all  these  reverses,  this  favorite 
son  of  Easton  stood  finn.  He  had  pledged  his  "  life,  his  property,  his  sacred  honor"  to 
the  cause  of  freedom.     There  might  be  reverses  in  the  field,  there  might  be  treason  among 


THE   TAYLOR    MONUMENT. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  ng 

his  friends,  but  death  to  him  as  a  patriot  was  preferable  to  life  as  a  traitor.  He  might 
lose  his  property,  but  not  his  manhood.  Others  might  barter  away  their  honor  to  save 
their  lives;  his  honor  should  never  be  tarnished.  He  had  associated  himself  with 
Jefferson,  Franklin,  Hancock  and  Adams,  and  he  stood  firm  and  unmoved  amid  the  dark 
shadows  which  hung  in  deep  gloom  over  the  land.  He  hoped  a  brighter  day  would  come. 
His  faith  could  see  rifts  in  the  clouds,  and  through  them  the  glories  of  the  future  may 
have  dawned  upon  his  soul.  Many  years  afterward,  when  a  stranger  inquired  of  one  of 
Mr.  Taylor's  neighbors  what  kind  of  a  man  he  was,  he  answered:  "  He  was  a  fine  man 
and  a  furious  Whig."  The  disasters  at  Brandywine  and  Germantown  had  sent  about 
two  thousand  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  into  Northampton  County.  They  were  divided 
between  Bethlehem,  Allentown  and  Easton.  Those  that  were  sent  to  Easton  were 
quartered  in  the  Court  House  and  the  old  German  Reformed  Church,  that  old  temple  of 
liberty.  Here  the  kind  and  brave  women  of  Easton  cared  for  them  and  kindly  ministered 
to  the  wants  of  these  suffering  heroes.  Among  those  at  Bethlehem  was  the  gallant  son 
of  France;  and  during  the  next  year  Washington  went  to  cheer  his  dearest  friend, 
Lafayette,  at  Bethlehem,  and  passed  through  Easton  on  this  journey.  At  this  time 
George  Taylor  was  living  in  the  old  stone  mansion  built  by  William  Parsons  on  the 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Ferry  streets.  Taylor  and  Washington  were  warm  friends,  and  no 
doubt  Washington  sought  out  the  home  of  his  friend  and  had  a  pleasant  chat  on  matters 
mutually  dear  to  both.  Could  Washington  pass  so  near  the  Court  House  and  church 
filled  with  suffering  soldiers,  and  not  call  to  see  and  cheer  them  in  their  sorrows? 
Impossible.  No  doubt  this  great  man  entered  the  old  church  and  cheered  the  soldiers, 
who  could  have  borne  their  pains  more  easily  if  these  wounds  had  been  scars  of  vi(5lory. 
They  were  enduring  a  double  agony,  a  sense  of  defeat  as  well  as  laceration  of  limbs.  It 
would  have  been  a  source  of  pleasure  to  know  that  Taylor  lived  to  hear  the  news  of  the 
surrender  of  Cornwallis.  But  he  died  February  25th,  and  the  surrender  occurred  on  the 
19th  of  0(5tober,  1781.  He  had  rejoiced  to  hear  of  Franklin's  success  at  the  court  of  St. 
Cloud,  to  know  that  Bonny  France  had  linked  her  destinies  with  his  country.  No  doubt 
the  star  of  hope  in  ultimate  success  rose  clearly  over  his  dying  bed  in  the  old  Parsons' 
mansion.  Mr.  Taylor  had  two  children,  a  son  and  daughter.  The  son,  James,  married 
a  daughter  of  Lewis  Gordon,  was  a  lawyer,  and  died  at  twenty-nine,  leaving  a  widow  and 
five  children.  The  daughter  did  not  marry.  Some  of  his  descendants  live  in  South 
Carolina. 

In  1855,  thirty-one  years  ago,  the  people  of  Easton  gave  expression  to  their  gratitude, 
honored  themselves  in  rendering  honor  to  departed  worth,  and  to  keep  in  memory  the 
virtues  of  George  Taylor,  by  erecting  a  beautiful  and  costly  monument  to  his  memory  in 
their  beautiful  cemetery.  No  one  can  pass  this  monument  without  thinking  of  the 
youthful  Redemptioner  working  out  his  time  to  pay  the  expense  of  his  passage  across 
the  sea.  The  passer-by  will  think  of  the  successful  proprietor  of  the  Durham  furnace; 
the  faithful  member  of  the  Provincial  Assembly;  the  member  of  the  National  Congress; 
the  man  who  boldly  signed  the  immortal  document  when  others  hesitated.  They  will 
think  of  the  man  who  was  appointed  to  reprove  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  and  extend 
the  thanks  of  the  province  to  the  King  of  England.  They  will  pause  to  pass  a  reflection 
on  the  glory  of  our  institutions  under  whose  benign  influence  the  poorest  may  rise  to 
wealth,  the  humblest  to  the  most  exalted  positions,  the  weakest  to  positions  of  power  not 


I20  THE  HISTORY  OF 

inferior  to  that  wielded  by  the  Csesars.  Alexander  E.  Brown,  Esq.,  delivered  an  excellent 
oration  at  the  dedication  of  the  monument,  in  which  we  find  the  following  beautiful 
stanzas: 

"No  night-shade  spreads  its  death-like  pall  ! 
No  gloomy  cypress  waves  its  head, 
But  let  the  glorious  sunbeams  fall 
Where  rest  Columbia's  honored  dead. 

Columbia's  eagle  \'igils  keep  ! 

Columbia's  banner  o'er  him  wave! 
Naught  to  disturb  his  peaceful  sleep, 

For  freemen  guard  his  hallowed  grave." 


THE    DESCENDANTS    OF   GEORGE   TAYLOR. 

The  following  genealogical  table  is  the  result  of  the  careful  and  patient  research  of 
Mr.  Ethan  A.  Weaver,  of  Philadelphia.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Lafayette  College,  a  wann 
friend  of  Easton,  and  deeply  interested  in  her  history.  It  has  been  a  matter  of  long  corre- 
spondence, but  his  success  has  amply  repaid  his  toil,  and  he  receives  our  most  hearty  thanks. 

"It  is  a  strange  fa6l  that  no  biography  of  George  Taylor  heretofore  published  has 
contained  anything  concerning  the  descendants  of  this  distinguished  patriot.  Sanderson, 
the  earliest  biographer  of  the  signers,  says  "he  has  no  legitimate  living  descendants,"  and 
M.  S.  Henry,  author  of  the  History  of  the  Lehigh  Valley,  passingly  alludes  to  descendants 
living  in  South  Carolina  and  a  natural  daughter  living  in  Easton.  As  long  ago  as  1853, 
when  Matthew  Henry  was  colle<5ling  material  for  his  work,  he  was  in  correspondence  with 
a  great  grandson  of  Colonel  Taylor,  James  Lewis  Gordon  Taylor,  then  living  in  Virginia, 
(and  who  had  visited  Easton)  but  nothing  further  than  what  is  above  alluded  is  published 
in  Henry's  book.  The  writer's  antiquarian  spirit  led  him  some  years  ago  to  making 
diligent  researches  for  Taylor's  descendants  with  the  success  herein  shown. 

"George  Taylor <"'  by  his  marriage  had  one  son,  James  Taylor, <=•'  who  was  bred  to  the 
bar,  to  which  he  was  admitted  in  1765;  he  died  very  young  (1772),  but  left  five  children 
by  his  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Gordon,  daughter  of  Lewis  Gordon,  Esq.,  the  first 
attorney  in  Northampton  County.  The  names  of  those  children  were  George, (^'  Ann,*-*' 
(always  called  "Nancy"  in  the  family),  Mary, '5' Thomas ^''' and  James. <''  James  Taylor*'' 
dying  before  his  father,  George  Taylor,'"'  the  latter  took  his  children  and  tenderly  cared 
for  them.  (See  George  Taylor's  will — will  book  1,  p.  275.)  All  the  children  remained 
with  their  grandfather  until  his  death,  save  Ann,*'''  who  married  Colonel  Samuel  Swann, 
of  Powhatan,  Virginia.  At  the  death  of  Colonel  George  Taylor,*"'  his  grandsons,  George '3) 
and  James, '7'  went  to  Virginia  to  live  with  their  sister  Ann'"'  (Mrs.  Swann).  Thomas <*' 
was  drowned  in  the  Lehigh  river;  Mary*^'  died  young;  George*''  never  married.  Ann*"' 
(Nancy)  Swann  left  several  sons  ;  their  descendants  will  be  noticed  hereafter,  and  James*'' 
married  his  first  cousin,  Anna  Maria  Miranda,  daughter  of  Alexander  Gordon,  who  was 
the  son  of  Lewis  Gordon,  Esq.,  of  Easton,  and  brother  of  Elizabeth  Gordon,  who  married 
James  Taylor, *''  son  of  George  Taylor. <"'  The  mother  of  Anna  Maria  Miranda  Gordon 
was  Mi.ss  Mary  Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  niece  of  the  famous  Robert  Morris. 


AS   CENTRE   SQUARE   LOTDf 


[FROM    A    DRAWIXC,    MADE  jV);: 


'ICCAI 


iled  fifty  years  ago 

mS.    MCCARTNEY    IN    1835.] 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  i3i 

"By  this  marriage  of  James  Taylor <'>  there  were  four  children.  George  Alexander'^' 
(died  in  infancy),  Mary's'  (who  died  young),  Sophia  Gordon, <'°'  and  James  Lewis  Gordon.'"' 
James  Taylor*''  (grandson  of  George  Taylor),  was  for  many  years  a  man  of  wealth,  but 
late  in  life  he  had  reverses  which  he  bore  with  noble  serenity.  He  lived  in  Richmond, 
Va.,  and  was  universally  honored.  He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  St. 
John's  Church,  Richmond.  James  Lewis  Gordon  Taylor'"'  married  (1856)  Hannah,  daugh- 
ter of  Colonel  Wilson  Jones  of  Hampton,  Va. ,  but  left  no  issue.  Sophia  Gordon  <'°>  married 
first,  John  Rutledge  Smith,  of  South  Carolina  (grandson  of  Edward  Rutledge,  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence),  and  has  issue.  Jane  Ladson  Alston  Pinckney  Smith, '■=> 
now  Mrs.  Gill  Armistead  Carey  of  Alabama,  who  had  two  daughters  :'"'  Isabella  Gordon  <'3> 
married  Gordon  Macdonald  (issue  Belle  Gordon  Macdonald,''^))  and  '''  Mattie  Lee'"-''  (unmar- 
ried). Sophia  Gordon'""'  married  jcrw/rt' Rev.  John  Collins  McCabe,  D.  D.  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  left  issue,  viz  :  Isabella  Gordon,'"^'  who  died  unmarried  in  1857  ;  and  William 
Gordon,''3>  who  in  1867  married  Jane  Pleasants  Harrison  Osborne  (daughter  of  Edward 
Harrison  Osborne,  whose  maternal  grandfather  was  a  brother  of  Benjamin  Harrison,  signer 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence),  and  has  issue,  Edmund  Osborne,''^' William  Gordon, ''5> 
Edward  Rainsford  Warner.'"*' 

"Concerning  the  descendants  of  "Nancy"  Taylor  (Ann  Swann),  the  writer  has  been 
unable  to  procure  a  complete  genealogy.  She  left  several  sons ;  one  of  these,  Thomas 
Thompson  Swann,  was  born  January  12,  1785,  while  his  mother  was  visiting  her  grand- 
father's (Colonel  George  Taylor's '"')  home,  at  Easton.  Two  other  sons  are  reported,  Samuel 
G.  and  George,  the  latter  dying  without  issue.  Thomas  Thompson  Swann  married  Miss 
Sallie  Woodson  Macon,  on  July  24,  1806,  and  died  in  Cumberland  county,  Va.,  April  27, 
1845.  His  oldest  child,  George  Taylor  Swann,  was  born  in  Powhatan  county,  Va.,  July 
5,  1808 ;  graduated  at  Hampden  Sidney  College  in  1826.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Lee 
Patton,  daughter  of  James  D.  Patton,  M.  D.,  of  Danville,  Va.  He  was  a  lawyer  by  pro- 
fession, and  went  to  Mississippi  in  1836.  In  1844  he  was  elefted  to  the  legislature  as  a 
member  of  the  Senate,  over  which  body  he  was  chosen  to  preside.  He  was  twice  ele<fted 
to  the  office  of  Auditor  of  Public  Accounts  ( 1847-1849).  In  the  spring  of  1854  he  became, 
by  choice  of  the  Judges,  Clerk  of  the  High  Court  of  Errors  and  Appeals.  In  the  summer 
of  1865  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Special  Equity  Court  by  Judge  Sharkey,  Parishional 
Governor  of  Mississippi.  In  1867  he  was  made  Clerk  of  the  United  States  Circuit  and 
Distri6l  Courts  for  the  Southern  District  of  Mississippi.  In  October,  1877,  he  died,  leav- 
ing seven  children.  Another  son,  Thomas  Thompson  Swann,  Jr.,  was  also  Auditor  of 
Mississippi,  and  still  another,  William  Macon  Swann,  was  Lieutenant  in  the  United  States 
Navy,  lost  on  "United  States  Steamer  Grampus"  at  sea,  about  March  20,  1843. 

"The  eldest  child  of  George  Taylor  Swann  is  Mrs.  Archie  McGehee,  of  Jackson,  Miss., 
to  whom  the  writer  is  indebted  for  information  concerning  this  extension  of  the  family, 
whose  son  Dr.  Daniel  Macon  McGehee,  graduate  of  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Phila- 
delphia, the  writer  of  these  genalogical  records  knew  as  a  room-mate  and  companion  in 
his  early  residence  in  the  Citj'  of  Brotherly  Love.  It  was  through  him  that  I  first  and 
accidently  learned  of  the  descendants  of  this  distinguised  Eastonian  ;  and  my  best  wishes 
for  my  cherished  friend  are  that  he  will  prove  a  worthy  scion  of  a  noble  ancestor. ' ' 


Easton  During  The  Revolution. 


The  nation  bleeds  wher'er  her  steps  she  turns  ; 

The  groan  still  deepens,  and  the  combat  burns. — Iliad. 


THE    COMMITTEE    OF    SAFETY. 


V.  COME  now  to  that  part  of  Easton' s  History  which  relates  to  the 
jiatriotic  struggles  of  our  ancestors  in  throwing  off  the  yoke  of  British 
oppression  and  establishing  principles  of  political  freedom  based  upon  the 
broad  foundation  of  equal  rights  and  self-government.  The  French  and 
Indian  war  had  closed  and  left  a  heavy  debt  upon  the  British  Kingdom, 
and  Parliament  was  determined  the  colonies  should  help  pay  it.  The 
Stamp  A61  was  passed ;  no  legal  paper  could  be  used  except  such  as 
was  stamped  in  England  and  sold  in  America.  The  people  would  not 
consent  to  be  taxed  when  they  were  not  represented  in  Parliament. 
Franklin  wrote,  saying  "the  sun  of  liberty  had  set."  The  people  of 
America  looked  upon  liberty  as  dead,  and  the  bells  of  the  cities  were 
tolled.  The  excitement  grew  to  fever  heat.  The  Boston  massacre,  the  hanging  of  patriots 
in  the  Carolinas,  the  arrival  of  a  large  army  and  fleet  on  the  coast,  all  indicated  a  deter- 
mination to  enforce  the  despotic  power  of  the  English  throne.  The  people  saw  there  was 
no  alternative  but  abje<5l  submission  or  acftive  and  vigorous  resistance.  The  thirteen 
colonies  were  preparing  for  war  with  the  most  powerful  monarchy  in  the  world.  They 
were  determined  to  throw  off  the  cumbrous  weight  which  threatened  to  crush  them. 
The  words  of  Patrick  Henr>-,  "Give  me  liberty,  or  give  me  death,"  became  the  rallying 
cry  of  the  patriots.  All  the  emblems  of  royal  authority  were  to  be  utterly  destroyed  and 
entirely  new  institutions  created  in  their  place.  And  while  this  Revolution  was  in  pro- 
gress, there  was  a  necessity  for  a  strong  and  vigorous  organization  which  could  a(5l  promptly, 
see  dangers  in  the  distance,  meet  them  courageously,  and  battle  with  them  manfully.  This 
organization  was  found  in  the  Committee  of  Safety.  These  committees  were  also  called 
Committees  of  Correspondence,  of  Observation,  and  of  \'igilance.  "At  a  consultation  of 
the  Virginia  House  of  Assembly,  in  March,  1773,  held  in  the  old  Raleigh  taveni,  at  Williams- 
burg, at  which  Patrick  Henry,  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Richard  Henry  Lee  were  present,  it 
was  agreed  to  submit  a  resolution  in  the  House  the  following  day,  appointing  a  Committee 
of  Vigilance  and  Correspondence,  and  recommending  the  same  to  other  colonies.  The 
measure  was  carried,  and  these  committees  formed  one  of  the  most  powerful  aids  to 
carrving  on  the  work  of  the  Revolution.  Similar  committees  had  been  already  formed  in 
several  towns  in  Massachusetts."  These  organizations  spread  rapidly  and  were  found 
"in  ever\-  colony  in  1773."  (Lossing,  page  171.)  These  committees  fonned  a  perfeCl 
net-work   throughout  the  colonies.     British  annies,  fleets,  and  the  Tories  were  watched 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  123 

with  careful  zeal  by  these  faithful  men.  The  Safety  Committee  for  Newark,  N.  J., 
was  formed  May  4,  1775,  by  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  on  that  day.  As  the  utterances 
of  this  committee  speak  the  feelings  of  all,  it  may  be  well  to  quote  a  few  words  to  show 
the  spirit  which  animated  these  bodies  of  men  wherever  formed:  "We,  the  freeholders 
and  inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  Newark,  having  deliberately  considered  the  openly 
declared  design  of  the  Ministry  of  Great  Britain  to  raise  a  revenue  in  America ;  being 
affected  with  horror  at  the  bloody  scenes  now  acfting  in  the  Massachusetts  bay,  for  carrying 
that  arbitrary  design  into  execution  ;  firmly  convinced  that  the  very  existence  of  the  rights 
and  liberties  of  America  can,  under  God,  subsist  on  no  other  basis  than  the  animated  and 
perfecft  union  of  its  inhabitants ;  and  being  sensible  of  the  necessity  in  the  present  emer- 
gency of  preserving  good  order  and  due  regulations  in  all  public  measures,  with  hearts 
perfe<5lly  abhorrent  of  slaver>',  do  solemnly,  under  all  the  sacred  ties  of  religion,  honor 
and  love  to  our  country,  associate  and  resolve  that  we  will  personally,  and  as  far  as  our 
influence  can  extend,  endeavor  to  support  and  carry  into  execution  whatever  measures 
may  be  recommended  by  the  Continental  Congress,  and  fixing  our  Constitution  on  a  per- 
manent basis,  and  opposing  the  execution  of  the  despotic  and  oppressive  adls  of  British 
Parliament,  until  the  wished-for  reconciliation  between  Great  Britain  and  America  on  a 
constitutional  basis  can  be  obtained."  These  words  speak  the  feelings  of  all  those  men 
thus  banded  together  battling  for  freedom.  Communication  was  carried  on  by  special 
messenger,  as  the  mails  were  slow,  and  could  not  always  be  trusted.  They  a(fted  in  the 
light  of  present  exigencies  without  consulting  any  higher  earthly  power.  They  exercised 
judicial,  legislative  and  executive  power.  They  received  their  power  from  the  people, 
the  highest  and  most  sacred  source  whence  it  could  come.  Sustained  by  their  fellow 
men,  and  their  confidence  in  the  justice  of  their  cause,  and  trusting  in  God,  they  went 
fearless  to  their  work.  They  were  like  an  invading  army  burning  their  bridges  behind 
them.  They  had  determined  these  hills  and  valleys  should  be  free.  This  will  appear 
from  examining  the  records  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  in  Easton. 

The  people  were  divided  into  two  parties,  "Whigs  and  Tories,"  or  "  Associators  and 
Non-Associators. "  The  Whigs,  or  Associators,  were  fighting  for  freedom  ;  the  Tories,  or 
Non- Associators,  were  in  sympathy  with  the  Crown.  The  Whigs  were  very  largely  in  the 
majority,  but  the  Tories  were  so  large  a  fra<5lion  that  they  were  capable  of  doing  much 
harm,  and  must  be  closely  watched  and  severely  dealt  with.  These  committees  were 
secret  organizations,  intended  to  watch  the  Tories,  punish  them  for  their  misdemeanors, 
and  take  adtive  measures  in  support  of  the  common  cause.  The  committee  had  the  power 
to  arrest,  imprison,  and  put  them  under  heavy  bonds  to  keep  the  peace.  They  had 
the  power  to  compel  them  to  apologize  to  persons  against  whom  they  had  uttered 
slanders ;  to  sign  papers  of  recantation,  and  to  ask  pardon  before  the  committee  of 
those  against  whom  they  said  things  injurious  to  the  cause.  Summonses  were  issued, 
prisoners  were  brought  by  police  force,  examined  and  punished  immediately.  But,  why 
should  such  powers  be  exercised  by  a  committee,  when  there  were  courts  of  law?  The 
courts  of  the  King  were  suspended,  the  power  of  the  English  King  was  passing  away. 
The  friends  of  liberty  miist  move  quickly,  powerfully,  and  administer  punishment  imme- 
diately. Society  was  changing,  institutions  were  changing,  political  science  was  changing ; 
it  was  a  time  of  Revolution,  the  results  of  which  were  to  undermine  the  thrones  of  the 
world  ;  it  was  a  turning  point  in  history.     The  patriots  had  pledged  their  property,  their 


124  T^i'^    HISTORY  OF 

lives,  their  sacred  honor  to  liberty.  Failure  was  slaver}-,  success  was  freedom.  These 
Committees  of  Safety  were  to  check  opposition  in  its  bud,  repress  insurrection  while 
struggling  into  life ;  they  were  war  measures,  institutions  that  would  be  criminal  in 
times  of  peace  and  would  not  be  tolerated  for  a  moment.  The  Safety  Committee  was  the 
offspring  of  the  political  storm  that  was  to  give  freedom  to  a  continent,  and  ultimately  to 
the  world.  When  the  sun  crosses  the  "line,"  the  trade  winds  change,  violent  storms 
sweep  over  the  earth,  carr\'ing  death  and  destrudlion  in  their  pathway.  But  from  these 
violent  atmospheric  changes  emerge  the  flowers  of  spring,  the  fruits  of  summer  and 
autumn.  So  when  those  storms  of  suffering,  sorrow  and  blood-shed  had  passed  away,  the 
sun  of  freedom  would  shine  brightly,  and  his  benignant  rays  would  be  enjoyed  by  all 
lands.  These  "Committees  of  Safety"  were  made  legal  by  legislative  enactment  subse- 
quent to  their  fonnation.  In  the  proceedings  of  the  Assembly  at  Philadelphia,  June  30, 
1775,  we  find  this  resolution  :  "That  this  House  approves  the  Association  entered  into  by 
the  good  people  of  this  colony,  for  the  defense  of  their  lives,  liberties,  and  property." 
This  is  the  foundation  of  the  legal  existence  of  the  Committees  of  Safety.  The  organi- 
zation of  the  Northampton  County  Committee  of  Safety  was  formed  December  21,  1774. 
It  was  called  the  "Committee  of  Observation  and  Inspe(ftion. "  At  a  public  eledlion  in 
Easton,  the  following  persons  were  eledled  members  of  the  committee,  viz.  :  Lewis  Gordon, 
Peter  Kachlein,  Jacob  Arndt,  Michael  ^lessinger,  Melchoir  Hay,  George  Taylor,  John 
Okely,  Anthony  Lerch,  Jacob  Morry,  John  Wetzel,  Andrew  Engelman,  John  Greesemer, 
Henry  Kooken,  David  Deshler,  Casper  Doll,  Joseph  Gaston,  Yost  Dreisbach,  Daniel 
Knows,  Thomas  Everet,  Michael  Ohl,  John  Hartman,  Nicholas  Kern,  George  Gilbert, 
Abraham  Smith,  Abraham  Miller,  Nicholas  Depui,  Manuel  Gonsales,  and  Abraham  West- 
brook,  being  nearly  one  for  each  township.  The  committee  then  chose  the  following 
gentlemen  as  a  Standing  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  the  county,  viz  :  George  Taylor, 
Lewis  Gordon,  Peter  Kachlein,  Jacob  Arndt,  John  Okely,  and  Henry  Kooken,  Esqrs. 
Lewis  Gordon  was  chosen  Treasurer,  and  Robert  Traill  was  chosen  Clerk.  The  General 
Committee  met  January  9,  1775,  and  elected  the  following  persons  to  represent  them  in  the 
Provincial  Convention  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  January-  23,  1775,  viz  :  George  Taylor, 
Lewis  Gordon,  Peter  Kachlein,  Jacob  Arndt,  and  John  Okely,  Esqrs.  The  committee 
met  May  6,  1775,  at  Easton,  and  considered  a  letter  received  from  the  committee  of  Phila- 
delphia, which  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  members  present.  It  is  easy  to  surmise 
the  tenor  of  the  letter  when  we  read  the  atlion  of  the  meeting.  A  resolution  was  unani- 
mously adopted  to  form  companies  in  every  township  in  the  county  ;  every  man  should 
supply  himself  with  a  good  firelock,  a  pound  of  powder,  four  pounds  of  lead,  a  quantity 
of  flints,  and  they  were  to  choose  their  officers.  A  general  meeting  of  the  committee  of  the 
whole  county  was  to  be  held  on  the  22d  of  the  month,  and  the  Clerk  was  ordered  to  send 
letters  notifying  the  representatives  of  the  various  townships  of  the  meeting.  The  Port  Rill 
of  Boston  had  been  passed  in  the  British  Parliament,  forbidding  the  landing  of  merchandi.se 
at  the  wharves  of  that  city.  Paul  Revere  had  performed  his  famous  midnight  ride,  the 
battle  of  Concord  and  Lexington  had  been  fought,  and  that  of  Bunker  Hill  was  approaching. 
The  bells  of  Boston  had  tolled  for  the  death  of  freedom,  and  old  Northampton  was  arming 
for  the  fight.     The  excitement  was  at  fever  heat. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  22d,  it  was  unauimoush-  \oted  to  abide  by  the  action  of  Con- 
gress ;  to  associate  together  for  mutual   ])rotection  ;  that  no  powder  be  expended,  except 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


125 


when  absolutely  necessary,  and  upon  urgent  occasions;  to  encourage  military  drill  in 
the  manual  of  arms ;  those  who  refused  to  associate  for  the  common  cause  should  be 
considered  enemies,  and  business  with  them  suspended.  At  the  same  meeting  we 
have  a  list  of  those  who  subscribed  to  the  general  association  in  numbers,  and  their  officers 
chosen,  viz  : 

Easton — Captain,  Peter  Kachlein  ;  Lieutenant,  Abram  Labar  ;  Ensign,  Matthias  Miller — 87  men. 

Forks — Captain,  Jacob  Amdt ;  Lieutenant,  George  Stocker — 126  men. 

Williams — Captain,  Melchoir  Hay  ;  Lieutenant,  Philip  Mixsell — 104  men. 

Bethlehem — Captain,  Christian  Newman  ;  Lieutenant,  Ulrich  Sleppy — 130  men. 

Allen — Captain,  Neigal  Gray;  Lieutenant,  John  Lickpot — 120  men. 

Upper  Saucon — Captain,  Henry  AUise  ;  Lieutenant,  George  Kern — 105  men. 

Lower  Saucon — Captain  Huebner ;  Lieutenant,  Jesse  Jones — 142  men. 

Macungie — Captain,  Peter  Traxler ;  Lieutenant,  Henry  Felker — 120  men. 

Upper  Milford — Captain,  Christian  Fisher ;  Lieutenant,  Philip  Walter — 64  men. 

White  Hall — Captain,  Peter  Burkhalter;  Lieutenant,  Philip  Knappenberger — 100  men. 

Salisbury — Captain,  Nicholas  Fox  ;  Lieutenant,  H.  Hagenbuch — 100  men. 

Plainfield— Captain,  Casper  Doll ;  Lieutenant,  H.  Engel— 88  men. 

Mount  Bethel — Captain,  John  Nielson  ;  Lieutenant,  S.  Rea — 224  men. 

Moore — Captain,  Adam  Bruckhauser;  Lieutenant,  Timothy  Reed — 106  men. 

Lehigh — Captain,  Yost  Dreisbach  ;  Lieutenant,  Enoch  Beer — 70  men. 

Weisenburg — Captain,  Michael  Probst;  Lieutenant,  P.  BenninghofF^32  men. 

Lynn — Captain,  Matthias  Propst ;  Lieutenant,  John  vStane — 70  men. 

Heidelberg — Captain  Michael  Ohl ;  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Zeiger — 100  men. 

Lowhill — Captain  Michael ;  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Horner — 35  men. 

Towamensing — Captain,  Nicholas  Kern  ;  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Wagner — 50  men. 

Penn — Captain,  Richard  Dodson  ;  Lieutenant,  John  Siegley — 25  men. 

Chestnut  Hill — Captain,  Abraham  Smith  ;  Lieutenant,  Dewalt  Kuntz — 82  men. 

Hamilton — Captain,  Abraham  Miller ;  Lieutenant,  Michael  Raup — 50  men. 

Lower  Smithfield — Captain,  Jacob  Stroud  ;  Lieutenant,  Samuel  Drake — 127  men. 

Delaware — Captain,  John  Van  Etten  ;  Lieutenant,  David  Van  Aken — 47  men. 

Upper  Smithfield — Captain,  John  Van  Sickel ;  Lieutenant,  Nathaniel  Washburne — 53  men. 

The  author  has  made  this  record  to  show  the  relative  strength  of  the  townships ;  the 
nature  of  the  work  which  the  Committee  of  Safety  had  to  perform,  and  the  patriotic 
leaders  in  those  dark  days.  Here  is  a  volunteer  force  of  two  thousand  men  preparing 
for  duty  at  the  front  when  called  for  under  the  dire6lion  of  this  committee.  They 
had  the  authority  of  raising,  equipping,  and  sending  soldiers  to  the  front.  In  July, 
1775,  the  projedl  of  equipping  a  company  of  riflemen  having  been  adopted,  Craig,  their 
captain,  was  authorized  to  purchase  rifles,  and  present  the  bill  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
committee.  At  the  October  meeting  the  military  forces  of  the  county  were  divided  into 
four  battalions,  each  to  be  commanded  by  a  colonel ;  the  Easton  battalion  to  be  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Peter  Kachlein.  At  a  meeting  of  the  committee,  July  9,  1776, 
five  days  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  it  was  resolved  to  form  a  Flying  Camp, 
and  to  give  a  bounty  of  three  pounds  to  all  able-bodied  men  who  would  join  it. 

The  following  officers  were  recommended  for  the  Flying  Camp  now  to  be  raised. 
This  camp  was  to  be  divided  into  four  battalions.  The  officers  of  the  first  battalion  were. 
Captain,  John  Arndt ;  First  L,ieutenant,  Joseph  Martin ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Peter  Kach- 
lein, Jr.  ;  Ensign,  Isaac  Shimer.  The  second  battalion  were  officered  as  follows  :  Captain, 
Henry  Hagenbuch  ;  First  Lieutenant,  John  Moritz  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Godfrey  Myer ; 
Ensign,  Jacob  Mummy.     The  officers  of  the  third  battalion  were  :  Captain,  Nicholas  Horn  ; 


126  THE  HISTORY  OF 

First  Lieutenant,  Enoch  Beer  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Peter  Buche  ;  Ensign,  William  Daniel. 
The  officers  of  the  fourth  battalion  were :  Captain,  Timothy  Payne ;  First  Lieutenant, 
Peter  Middaugh ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  Ennis ;  Ensign,  Abner  Everet.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  Peter  Kachlein  ;  Major,  Michael  Probst ;  Sergeant  Major,  John  Spangenburg. 
Each  battalion  was  to  consist  of  the  following  numbers:  First,  92;  second,  120;  third, 
57  ;  fourth,  49.  The  four  battalions  combined  would  number  three  hundred  and  eighteen 
men  ;  a  small  compacft  force,  that  could  move  in  mass  or  in  separate  battalions  at  a  moment's 
notice,  as  on  the  wings  of  the  wind.  The  bounty  paid  to  those  joining  the  Flying  Camp 
was  to  be  met  by  a  tax  on  the  county  of  nine  pence  per  pound,  and  single  men  to  pay  six 
shillings.  Captain  John  Arndt's  Company  of  the  Flying  Camp  was  to  be  the  rifle  com- 
pany. Gunsmiths  and  locksmiths  were  not  allowed  to  enlist,  as  they  were  needed  at 
home. 

General  Washington  was  appointed  Commander-in-chief  of  the  American  anny,  June 
15,  1775,  and  thus  the  man  who  had  saved  the  wreck  of  Braddock's  army  was  called  to 
lead,  preserve  and  foimd  a  nation.  He  took  command  of  the  anny  under  a  wide  spreading 
elm  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts.  The  British  held  the  city  of  Boston,  and  during  the 
winter  of  1776,  Washington  pressed  the  siege.  In  the  following  spring  he  felt  strong  enough 
to  commence  operations.  It  was  resolved  to  seize  Dorchester  Heights  and  drive  General 
Howe  out  of  Boston.  For  two  days  the  attention  of  the  British  was  drawn  by  a  fire  from  the 
American  batteries.  On  the  night  of  the  4th  of  IMarch  the  Heights  were  seized,  and 
breast-works  erected.  In  the  morning  Howe  saw  he  must  stonn  the  works  or  leave  the 
city  and  harbor.  He  immediately  ordered  twenty-four  hundred  men  to  proceed  and  storm 
the  position  before  night.  But  a  storm  arose,  and  the  wind  blew  so  severely  that  the 
vessels  could  not  cross  the  bay.  And  during  the  day  and  night  the  works  were  so 
strengthened  as  to  bid  defiance  to  the  British  army,  and  Howe  gave  up  the  Capitol  of 
New  England.  Washington  supposed  New  York  would  be  the  next  point  of  attack,  and 
so  hurried  away  from  Boston  to  defend  it.  He  had  entered  the  city  of  Boston  in 
triumph.  The  countr\-  was  wild  with  delight,  and  Congress  voted  a  gold  medal  to  be 
struck  in  honor  of  this  great  victory  over  the  enemy.  But  the  bright  sun  of  freedom  was 
soon  to  be  covered  with  dense  clouds  and  a  darkness,  like  that  of  Egypt,  which  could 
be  felt.  Howe  soon  landed  on  Long  Island  with  a  powerful  army  of  veterans  led  by  the 
best  generals  of  Europe.  Washington  ordered  his  army  to  Brooklyn,  and  at  once  prepared 
for  battle.  L^ntried  soldiers,  fresh  from  their  farms  and  workshops,  led  by  officers  not 
educated  to  arms,  were  to  go  into  this  fierce  contest  to  fight  for  freedom.  What  these 
fearless  men  lacked  in  experience  was  supplemented  by  that  omnipotent  emotion,  love  of 
one's  country'  and  home.  The  Americans  were  beaten  and  forced  to  retreat,  which  they 
did  in  a  masterly  manner  on  the  29th  of  August.  The  American  lo.ss  in  killed  was 
upwards  of  one  thousand  men.  This  battle  took  place  on  the  27th  of  August,  at  what  is  now 
Greenwood  Cemetery.  Into  this  fierce  contest  John  Arndt  led  his  brave  men.  Only  thirty- 
three  of  his  company  rallied  the  next  day  at  Elizabeth.  The  first  battalion  had  been 
increased  in  number  to  eighty-seven,  was  sent  to  the  front  by  this  committee,  and  was  in 
the  thickest  of  the  fight.  It  was  one  of  the  fiercest  battles  of  the  war.  Captain  Arndt 
lost  many  of  his  men  ;  was  severely  wounded ;  and  Colonel  Peter  Kachlein  was,  with 
Captain  Arndt,  taken  prisoner.  We  copy  the  following  muster  roll  of  the  comjiany  from 
the  History  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  : 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


127 


MUSTER  ROLL. 


Captain— John  Amdt.t 
1ST  Lieut.— Joseph  Martin. 


Sergeants. 
Robert  Scott,  t 
Andrew  Herster,( 
Philip  Anidt.t 
Andrew  Keifer.ji 


1  Daniel  Lewis,  t 

2  Benjamin  Depue.t 

3  Thomas  Sybert, 

4  John  Wolf,t 

5  Christian  Roth,} 

6  James  Hindshaw,} 

7  John  Middagh.t 

8  Alex.  Sylliman,t 

9  Jacob  Difford,^ 

10  Jacob  McFarran,t 

11  Robert  Lyle,t 

12  John  Ross,} 

13  Richard  Overfield,? 

14  Jacob  Miller,! 

15  Martin  Derr,(! 

16  Henry  Siegel, 

17  Christian  Stout,} 

18  Jacob  Andrew, 

19  Joseph  Stout,? 

20  Jacob  Weidknecht,? 

21  Henry  Onangst,} 

22  George  Fry,? 

23  John  Smith, 

24  Jost  Domblaser, 

25  John  Bush,} 

26  Macheas  Steininger,? 

27  Jacob  Wagner,} 

28  Con'd  Bittenbender,} 

29  Henry  Bush,  Sr.,? 


CORPORAI^S. 

Jacob  Kichline,} 
George  Edelman, 
Peter  Richter,} 
Elijah  Crawford.} 

Privates. 

30  Paul  Reaser,} 

31  John  Shurtz,} 

32  Lawrence  Erb,? 

33  Isaac  Berlin,} 

34  Adam  Yohe,} 

35  Frederick  Rieger,} 

36  J.  McCracken,} 

37  James  Farrel,} 

38  Jacob  Engler,} 

39  Geo.  Ryman, 

40  Conrad  Smith,} 
4!  Geo.  Essigh,f 

42  Val'n  Yent,} 

43  Philip  Reeser, 

44  Lewis  Collins,} 

45  Joseph  Keller,} 

46  Peter  Byer,? 

47  Conrad  Metz, 

48  Peter  Kern,? 

49  Henry  Fatzinger,} 

50  John  Kessler,} 

51  Geo.  Shibly, 

52  M.  Kress,} 

53  M.  Kailor.f 

54  \Vm.  Warrand,} 

55  F.  Wilhelm,} 

56  A.  Frutchy,? 

57  Henry  Wolf,  Jr.,} 

58  A.  Everts, 


2D  Lieut.— Peter  Kachlein.} 
3D  Lieut.— Isaac  Shimer.} 

Drummer. 
John  Amdt.} 

Fifer. 
Henry  Allshouse.} 


59  Peter  Lehr,? 

60  M.  Deal,} 

61  Philip  Bosh,  I 

62  Peter  Frees,? 

63  Henry  Wolf,  Sr.,} 

64  Isaac  Shoemaker.t 

65  Dan'l  Sailor,} 

66  Fred'k  Wagner,} 

67  Sam'l  Curry,} 

68  Henry  Fretz,} 

69  Henry  Bosh,  Jr.,} 

70  Henry  Strauss,} 

71  Isaac  Koon,} 

72  Chr.  Harpel,} 

73  Joseph  Miner,} 

74  Bernh'd  Miller,!* 

75  John  Falstich, 

76  Henry  Weidknecht,} 

77  Ad.  Weidknecht,} 

78  J.  Fraunfelter,} 

79  John  Yent,} 

80  Geo.  Eddinger,} 

81  Ab.  Peter,  J 

82  Adam  Bortz,} 

83  Jacob  Kreider,} 

84  Christ'n  Harpel,}  2d. 

85  Jos'h  Chass,} 

86  John  Harpel,  J 

87  James  Symonton,} 


t  Rallied  next  day  at  Elizabethtown.     (33  men. ) 
}  Killed  or  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Washington. 
?  Killed  or  taken  prisoner  at  Long  Island. 

At  a  meeting  July  17,  1776,  Peter  Kachlein  was  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel.  At 
the  same  meeting  an  order  was  granted  to  Captain  Hubner  for  two  casks  of  gun  powder 
for  the  use  of  troops  passing  through  this  county.  The  meeting  of  the  committee  July 
26,  1776,  gives  a  proper  idea  of  the  working  of  the  organization.  A  father  and  two  sons, 
some  distance  from  Easton,  were  charged  with  being  Tories ;  and  they  were  to  be 
deprived  of  their  fire  arms  to  prevent  their  doing  harm  to  the  patriot  cause.  An  officer 
was  sent  to  get  these  arms  of  the  family,  but  they  refused  to  deliver  them,  and  threat- 
ened to  fire  on  any  man  who  should  dare  to  take  them.     An  armed  force  went  to  their  house, 


128  THE  HISTORY  OF 

the  whole  three  were  brought  to  Eastoii  and  lodged  in  gaol,  and  kept  there  till  they 
submitted  and  paid  costs.  At  the  meeting  on  the  29th  of  the  same  month  another  was 
imprisoned  for  speaking  disrespe<5lfully  of  the  committee,  and  kept  there  till  he  could  take 
better  care  of  his  tongue.     At  the  meeting  of  August  2,  1776,  we  find  the  following: 

"Upon  the  complaint  of  Lewis  Gordon  that  Mr.  had  uttered  opprobrious  words 

against  him  and  the  cause,  Resolved,  that,  upon  due  consideration,  Mr.  ask  pardon 

of  this  committee  in  general,  and  of  Lewis  Gordon  in  particular,  and  pay  his  gaol  fees ; 
otherwise  to  be  remanded  to  gaol  till  next  meeting."  He  made  the  apology,  paid  the  costs, 
promised  better  things,  and  went  home  a  wiser  man.  These  minutes  of  the  committee 
are  kept  in  an  elegant  hand-writing,  rarely  a  mistake  in  grammar  or  spelling ;  showing 
that  the  school  teacher  was  at  home  in  the  Orkney  Islands.  The  royal  courts  were  sus- 
pended ;  the  laws  of  King  George  were  inoperative ;  the  Committee  of  Safety  encircled 
the  people  with  their  strong  arms ;  their  eyes,  like  those  of  Argus,  looked  in  every 
diredlion  for  the  first  appearance  of  danger,  and  crushed  the  rising  storm  in  the  first 
rustling  of  the  wind.  Many  a  stubborn  Tor\'  slept  in  the  old  gaol  at  Easton  until  he  would 
apologize,  promise  good  behavior,  give  bonds  of  ^100  to  ^400,  sign  his  parole,  and  go 
quietly  home.  The  committee  had  eyes  and  ears  in  every  township  in  the  county. 
Colonel  Kachlein  (Kichlein)  and  Captain  Omdt  (Arndt)  were  prepared  to  lead  the 
Flying  Camp  where  dangers  were  to  be  found.  Hardly  any  feature  of  Easton' s  history 
should  be  a  matter  of  greater  pride  than  the  record  of  this  remarkable  body  of  men.  The 
fearful  responsibilities  voluntarily  assumed,  and  so  manfully,  honorably  and  successfully 
discharged,  have  made  their  names  immortal.  Lewis  Gordon,  Robert  Traill,  Peter  Kach- 
lein, Jacob  Arndt,  John  Okely,  Henry  Kooken,  Robert  Levers,  Jesse  Jones,  Jonas  Hartzel, 
Abram  Berlin,  Cornelius  Weygant,  Robert  Matthias,  Anthony  Lattimore,  Peter  Beisel, 
Peter  Kohler,  Timothy  Reed,  Anthony  Moore,  Jacob  Shoemaker,  Jeremiah  Traxler,  and 
Nathaniel  Britain,  are  names  which  frequently  appear  in  the  proceedings  of  this  zealous 
and  patriotic  body  of  men.  They  conducted  the  affairs  of  Old  Northampton  through 
the  storm  of  the  Revolution,  and  when  their  services  were  no  longer  needed  they  gladly 
laid  their  despotic  powers  at  the  feet  of  the  people  with  liberty  secure.  The  sun  of  liberty 
shone  out  brightly  in  the  heavens ;  the  power  of  the  crown  had  passed  away,  and  the 
people  were  free.     And  those  men  might  sing  with  a  full  heart — 

"  Laus  Deo." 

No  person  had  been  wrongly  injured,  no  man's  property  wrongly  taken  ;  the  women 
and  children  found  prote6lion  under  the  broad  shield  of  these  noble  men,  the  home 
was  sacred,  liberty  was  the  boon  for  which  they  toiled  and  prayed  ;  while  the  temple  of 
law  and  justice  was  closed,  that  of  Janus  stood  wide  open.  England  had  never  dealt 
very  tenderly  with  rebels,  and  those  men  who  formed  this  remarkable  committee  knew 
the  power  with  which  they  were  contending.  No  doubt  there  was  a  feeling  of  relief 
when  they  were  permitted  to  lay  aside  their  work.  They  have  all  passed  away,  but  their 
names  are  gratefully  remembered,  and  will  ever  be  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  true 
patriots.  The  descendants  of  these  men  of  the  Revolution  will  read  over  their  names 
with  filial  pride. 

When  the  Revolutionary  struggle  began  the  Colonial  Assembly  was  the  legislative 
authority  for  the  colony.     It  was  not  desirable  to  destrov  this  bodv  bv  violence,  and  so  it 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


129 


was  concluded  to  let  it  die  by  its  members  absenting  themselves  from  the  regular  meet- 
ings. There  were  members  who  sympathized  with  the  Revolution  to  accomplish  this 
purpose,  and  so  the  Royal  Legislative  Assembly  was  allowed  to  die  a  quiet  death.  And 
yet  there  was  an  eifort  made  to  preserve  its  life,  and  this  will  explain  the  proceedings  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety,  July  9,  1776.  Upon  the  complaint  of  Peter  Kachlein,  Ivieu- 
tenant  Colonel  of  the  first  battalion  of  Associators  in  this  county,  representing  that  a 

certain  John  M ,  of  the  township  of  Easton,  had  falsely  and  maliciously  calumniated 

and  slandered  him  by  circulating  a  report  that  he,  the  said  Peter  Kachlein,  was  proffered 


view  of  northampton  street,  looking  toward  the  old  court  house,  in  1845. 
[from  a  photo(;raph  taken  by  r.  knecht.] 


the  quantity  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land  as  a  bribe  or  reward  to  use  his  best  influence 
and  interest  to  keep  up  and  support  the  Assembly  of  this  Province  ;  and  the  said  Peter 
Kachlein  further  represented  that  the  courts  of  law  being  now  shut  up,  he  could  find  no 
redress  or  remedy  from  thence  ;  he  therefore  prayed  the  committee  to  take  the  same  into 
consideration.  Whereupon  it  was  resolved  that  the  parties  and  their  evidence  be  heard 
iimnediately.  And  the  said  parties  appearing  in  committee,  the  said  Peter  Kachlein  pro- 
duced Cornelius  Weygandt  (one  of  the  members  of  this  committee),  who  solemnly  declared 

that  the  said  John  M told  him  that  the  said  Peter  was  to  have  two  thousand  acres 

of  land  as  a  bribe  or  reward  for  his  supporting  and  upholding  the  Assembly  of  Pennsyl- 


[30 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


vania,  or  words  to  that  effett.  The  committee  then  adjourned  for  further  consideration 
for  the  space  of  three  hours,  and  being  met  again  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  afore- 
said complaint,   and   upon  mature  deliberation  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  said  John 

M shall  sign  a  writing  acknowledging  his  fault  for  circulating  so  injurious  a  report 

which  had  greatly  hurt  the  characfler  of  the  said  Peter  Kachlein  through  the  whole  county, 
but  more  especially  as  an  associator  and  officer  whereby  the  public  service  is  likely  to 
sustain  some  loss ;  which  paper  being  drawn  up  the  said  John  refused  to  sign,  and  being 
repeatedly  afterwards  summoned  to  appear  before  the  committee  he  constantly  refused  to 
pay  any  obedience  thereto.     Whereupon  resolved,  that  this  committee  do  hold  up  the  said 

John  M to  this  county,  as  a  designing,  dangerous,  and  refractor}'  person  ;  and  the 

public  are  desired  to  beware  of  him  accordingly.  It  was  ordered  that  the  above  transacflion 
be  published  in  the  English  and  German  newspapers. 

x\t  a  meeting  of  the  Standing  Committee,  December  19,  1776,  Abraham  Berlin, 
Anthony  Lattimore,  Jeremiah  Trexler,  Anthony  Moore,  Timothy  Read,  Jacob  Shoemaker, 
and  Robert  Traill  were  present.  Jacob  Shoemaker  delivered  a  letter  from  the  Council 
of  Safety  of  Philadelphia,  with  six  hundred  dollars  to  be  paid  toward  supporting 
the  sick  and  disabled  soldiers  in  this  town,   to  be  paid   into   the   hands  of  Abraham 

Berlin  for  that  purpose.     Mr. and  Mr. appeared  before  the  committee,  and 

upon  due  examination,  it  appears  that  they  are  guilty  of  using  language  laid  to  their 
charge.  Therefore  ordered,  that  they  be  sent  to  the  gaol  of  this  county  there  to  continue 
until  they  shall  be  discharged  by  this  committee.  At  the  same  meeting  of  the  committee, 
Captain  John  Arndt  appeared  and  made  complaint  against  three  prominent  men  for  slan- 
derous stories  told  about  his  condu<fl  at  the  battle  of  Brooklyn.  It  was  ordered  that 
summonses  be  issued  and  that  said  parties  be  delivered  here  with  evidence  by  the  24th 
instant.  They  were  tried  and  sent  to  the  gaol.  At  a  meeting,  December  27,  1776,  the 
three  men  expressed  their  sorrow  for  the  wrong  they  had  done  Captain  Arndt,  and  prayed 
to  be  set  at  liberty.  Their  prayer  was  granted.  They  were  each  put  under  bonds  of 
from  twenty  to  forty  pounds  as  security  for  their  good  behavior,  and  liberated.  At  a 
subsequent  meeting  of  the  Standing  Committee  it  was  resolved  that  a  magazine  of  powder, 
lead  and  arms  be  immediately  collected  and  prepared  in  the  town  of  Easton,  under  the 
care  of  Abraham  Berlin,  for  the  defense  of  the  county  against  the  incursions  and  depreda- 
tions of  the  Indian  enemy  ;  and  that  the  Standing  Committee  write  to  the  Council  of 
Safety  of  Philadelphia  for  such  ammunition  and  anus. 


The  Journal  of  the  Committee  gives  little  of  the  History-  of  Easton,  except  as  con- 
nected therewith.  It  was  then  a  village  of  perhaps  eighty  houses,  mostly  log  buildings. 
There  were  no  bridges  over  the  Delaware  and  Lehigh  rivers  ;  the  roads  were  few  and  poor. 
The  streets  of  the  town  were  not  graded  or  paved.  Its  population  did  not  exceed  five 
hundred.  The  larger  buildings  were  the  German  Reformed  Church,  the  Court  Hou.se, 
and  the  Moravian  House  on  South  Third  street,  just  below  Ferry. 

The  use  of  the  Church  and  Court  House  for  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  the 
American  army  has  already  been  referred  to.  Many  had  been  wounded  in  the  battles  of 
Long  Island  and  of  Brandy  wine,  and  afterwards  brought  to  Easton  to  be  cared  for.  Captain 
John  Arndt,  who  had  been  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  on  Long  Island,  returned  home ; 
and  after  his  recovery,  he  was  appointed  to  provide  for  them.     Money  was  sent  from  Phila- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  131 

delphia,  and  the  town  people  provided  from  their  own  stores,  food  and  clothing-,  in  a 
liberal  measure. 

Northampton  county  then  extended  from  Bucks  to  the  New  York  line,  to  Berks  and 
Northumberland  on  the  west.  Easton  was  the  most  important  town  in  Pennsylvania,  so 
near  New  York  and  Philadelphia  as  to  be  convenient  of  access,  and  yet  safe  from  attack 
by  British  or  Indian  forces.  The  Journal  of  the  Committee,  and  references  in  the  Colonial 
Records  and  Pennsylvania  Archives,  show  that  it  was  the  centre  of  revolutionary  affairs 
for  all  of  northeastern  Pennsylvania. 

The  Journal  of  the  Easton  Committee  of  Safety  commences  thus:  "Agreeable  to 
notice  for  that  purpose  given,  the  Freeholders  and  Freemen  of  the  County  of  North- 
ampton, qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in  the  Legislature,  a  very  respe6lable  number 
of  them,  met  at  the  Court  House,  in  Easton,  in  the  said  county,  on  the  21st  day  of  Decem- 
ber, A.  D.  1774;  when  George  Taylor,  Peter  Kachlein,  and  Henry  Kooken,  Esqrs.,  were 
nominated  Judges  of  the  Election  for  a  Committee  of  Obserx-ation  and  Inspeiftion,  confor- 
mable to  the  Eleventh  Article  of  the  Association  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  recom- 
mended by  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Province.  The  late  County  Committee  appearing 
and  resigning  their  authority,  received  the  public  thanks  of  the  county  for  their  faithful 
services."     The  election  of  a  new  General  Committee  was  then  held.     See  ante,  page  124. 

It  thus  appears  that  in  Northampton  county  there  had  been  a  committee  appointed 
previous  to  December,  1774.  The  fa6l  is  very  significant  of  the  patriotism  of  the  people 
of  this  county.  They  led  in  the  van.  The  Newark,  N.  J.,  Committee  was  formed  nearly 
four  months  after.  May  4,  1775;  and  that  of  Philadelphia,  July  3,  1775.  Of  the  latter 
Committee,  Benjamin  Franklin  was  the  first  President.  Associated  with  him  were  Robert 
Morris,  John  Dickenson,  Daniel  Roberdeau,  and  others,  who  afterwards  became  prominent 
in  the  state  and  nation.  This  was  the  Central  Committee,  and  the  controlling  power  of 
the  state  for  nearly  two  years. 

The  formation  of  the  Committee  at  Easton  preceded  the  battles  of  Concord  and 
Lexington  by  four,  and  that  of  Bunker  Hill  by  six,  months.  After  these  battles,  and 
when  it  became  evident  that  the  result  must  be  victory  and  freedom,  or  defeat  and  slavery, 
these  committees  multiplied  through  all  of  the  Colonies.  Communications  were  kept  up 
by  special  messengers,  and  thus  these  organizations  were  enabled  to  adl  with  great  effedl. 

Between  the  Philadelphia  and  Easton  Committees,  there  was  frequent  correspondence. 
Large  sums  of  money  were  sent  to  Jacob  and  John  Arndt,  Peter  Kachlein,  and  Robert 
Traill.  Easton  was  then  the  frontier  town  on  the  Delaware  river,  the  centre  of  a  large 
population,  for  that  day,  and  the  rallying  place  for  the  patriots  of  all  of  northeastern 
Pennsylvania.  After  the  defeat  of  the  American  forces  at  the  battle  of  Brandywine, 
September  11,  1777,  Philadelphia  was  abandoned  by  them,  and  Easton  was  chosen  as  the 
place  for  depositing  the  public  records  and  papers,  and  for  coUetliling  military  stores.  On 
September  14,  1777,  it  was  resolved  by  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  (Col.  Rec.  11,  p. 
864),  "That  Mr.  Sowden  and  Mr.  Hoge  be  appointed  to  have  the  money  and  the  papers 
belonging  to  the  Public  Loan  Office  removed  to  Easton,  in  Northampton  county ;  and 
John  Snyder  and  Henry  Bartholomew  were  employed  with  a  wagon  to  convey  it  to  said 
place."  "Ordered,  That  Colonel  Nichola  furnish  a  guard  of  two  men  to  go  with  the 
said  wagoners.     These  papers,  etc.,  are  contained  in  a  case,  a  barrel,  and  an  iron  chest." 

The  contents  were  noted,  and  it  was  resolved,  "That  the  said  chest,  with  its  contents. 


[32 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


be  immediately  sent  to  Eastoii,  and  committed  to  the  care  of  Robert  Levers,  Esq. ,  of  said 
place."  On  the  17th  of  September,  it  was  fnrther,  "Ordered,  That  the  books  in  the 
Library  belonging  to  the  State,  be  sent  immediately  to  Easton,  in  Northampton  county, 
and  committed  to  the  care  of  Robert  Levers,  Esq.,  of  said  county,  to  whose  care,  a  case 
and  a  barrel  containing  the  books  and  papers  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  and  the  Board 
of  War,  have  already  been  sent,  with  the  loan  office  money  and  papers."  On  April  23, 
1778,  it  was,  "Ordered,  That  the  ammunition  and  valuable  stores  be  removed  from  Pitts- 
town,  (N.  J.,)  to  Easton,  in  the  County  of  Northampton;  that  the  wagon  master  of  the 
County  of  Northampton  furnish  wagons  to  the  State  Navy  Board  for  the  removal  of  the 
stores  from  Pittstown,  New  Jersey,  to  Easton,  in  this  State."  In  Irving' s  "Life  of  Wash- 
ington," Vol.  Ill,  p.  306,  a  reference  is  made  to  "the  public  stores  at  Easton,  Bethlehem, 
and  AUentown." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  at  Easton,  June  22,  1776,  Captain  George  Huebner 
con  tracked  "to  deliver  to  them  140  lbs.  good  gun  powder  for  even,-  cwt.  of  salt  petre  they 
shall  deliver  to  him,  gross  weight,  he  to  be  allowed  at  the  rate  of  £t,  per  cwt.  for  making 
and  for  the  casks ;  he,  the  said  Huebner,  delivering  the  powder  at  Easton  and  fetching 
the  salt  petre,  gratis."  On  the  same  day,  "Jacob  Opp,  Commissioner,  is  appointed  to 
receive  all  the  salt  petre  made  in  the  county,  who  shall  pay  for  the  same  at  the  rate  of 
^25  per  cwt.,  or  5  shillings  per  pound." 

At  a  meeting,  August  5,  1776,  the  Township  Committees  were  directed  to  buy  all  the 
blankets  from  the  stores  and  shops  in  their  respedlive  townships,  and  to  ask  ' '  the  good 
people  of  their  townships  to  spare  from  each  family  as  many  as  they  possibly  can,  for  the 
u,se  of  the  jVIilitia  and  Flying  Camp  of  this  county  now  preparing  to  march  to  New 
Bninswick,  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty."  On  August  8,  1776,  at  the  next  meeting, 
Jesse  Jones  reported  that  he  had  brought  up  from  Philadelphia  ^1300,  "for  advance  money 
for  our  Militia."  At  several  meetings  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1776-7,  reference  is  made 
to  "the  sick  soldiers,  now  quartered  in  this  town,"  and  the  expenses  of  their  support. 

At  a  meeting,  January  9,  1777,  it  was,  "Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  of  the 
Easton  Compan}'  of  Militia  be  detained  from  marching  with  the  said  company  to  the  camp, 
viz :  Robert  Traill,  Clerk  and  Treasurer  to  this  Committee ;  Henry  Shouse,  joiner, 
employed  in  making  coffins  for  such  of  the  soldiers  as  shall  die  in  Easton ;  Henr%' 
Shnyder  and  Nicholas  Troxell,  shoemakers;  Abraham  Berlin,  Jr.,  gunsmith;  Jacob 
Berlin,  blacksmith  ;  and  Peter  Ealer,  keeper  of  the  gaol  of  this  county."  It  thus  appears, 
that  the  entire  able-bodied  male  citizens  of  the  town  were  in  arms  and  ready  to  march  in 
the  service  of  their  country  ;  as  also,  that  a  resolution  of  the  Committee  was  required,  to 
designate  those  who  must  remain  at  home. 

Notwithstanding  the  confli(5t  of  arms,  the  people  desired  that  social  order  should  be 
preserved.  At  a  meeting,  August  2,  1776,  it  was,  "Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will 
take  upon  them  to  keep  the  peace  and  call  offenders  to  justice,  in  the  name  of  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  until  it  shall  be  otherwise  ordered  by  the  convention,  or  any  other 
superior  authority  of  this  state,  for  the  preservation  of  men's  lives,  liberties,  and  reputa- 
tions," etc.  On  the  same  day,  it  was,  "Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will  take  into 
consideration  the  complaint  of  Myer  Hart  against  Barnet  Levi."  The  Journal  contains 
many  complaints  for  injuries,  usually  redressed  by  the  civil  courts ;  but  the  Committee 
did  not  a.ssume  jurisdi6lion  over  capital  offences,  such  as  were  punishable  witli  deatli. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


a 


While  "the  Courts  were  shut  up"  in  1776  and  1777,  there  could  be  no  convidlions  for 
crimes ;  and  there  could  be  no  better  example  of  the  capacity  of  the  people  for  self-o-ov- 
ernment  than  that  presented  by  the  citizens  of  Northampton  county  in  those  years. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Committee  were  always  orderly.  A  complaint  was  made, 
summons  issued,  and  a  hearing  had  at  an  appointed  time,  when  the  accused  person  was 
confronted  with  the  witnesses  against  him.  He  was  heard  in  his  defence  with  his 
witnesses ;  then,  after  a  short  deliberation,  the  judgment  was  pronounced  and  at  once 
executed.  Disobedience  to  the  summons,  or  refusal  to  comply  with  the  sentence,  was 
punished  by  imprisonment  in  the  ' '  gaol. ' '  But  the  powers  of  this  Committee  soon  ceased. 
They  were  no  longer  needed.  The  adl  of  the  6th  of  April,  1776,  was  the  last  adl  of  the 
session  of  the  General  Assembly,  which  commenced  September  30,  1775,  and  ended  the 
6th  of  April,  1776.  It  was  the  last  exercise  of  Legislative  authority  under  the  Proprietary 
Governments,  to  which  succeeded  the  Legislative  authority  established  by  the  Consti- 
tution of  Pennsylvania,  of  the  28th  of  September,  1776.     Dallas  Laws,  Vol.  I,  p.  720. 

The  last  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  for  this  county,  under  British  authority,  was  held 
at  Easton,  on  June  18,  1776,  "in  the  sixteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord, 
George  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and  Ireland,  King, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,"  etc.  But  little  was  done  at  this  term  ;  no  Courts  were  held  for 
one  year.  The  next  Court  was  held  June  17,  1777,  "for  the  County  of  Northampton,  in 
the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,"  before  John  Arndt,  Thomas  Sillyman,  Thomas 
Hartman,  Benjamin  Depui,  Samuel  Rea,  William  McNair,  Lewis  Steckel,  Frederick 
Leinback,  Peter  Moyer,  Matthias  Probst,  and  Jacob  Horner,  Justices  of  the  Peace.  The 
entire  proceedings  of  the  session  are  contained  on  one  page  of  the  Court  Record,  upon 
which  is  this  entr>' :  "The  Court  being  opened,  the  Sheriff,  John  Jennings,  Esq.,  reported 
that  no  precepts  or  any  other  process  had  been  delivered  to  him."  The  next  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions  was  held  September  16,  1777,  before  Justices  of  the  Peace  as  above 
named.  Little  was  done  except  to  appoint  constables  and  to  recommend  to  the  President 
and  the  Executive  Council,  persons  to  keep  public  houses  of  entertainment;  "Provided, 
they  all  had,  or  should  take  the  test"  oath.  At  December  sessions,  1777,  one  indi(5lment 
was  found  and  the  trial  postponed  to  the  next  term,  which  was  held  March  17,  1778, 
before  Justices  as  before  stated.  Courts  were  held  in  June,  September,  and  December  of 
this  year,  and  regularly  thereafter. 

In  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  the  last  term  under  English  rule,  was  June,  1776. 
The  next  term  was  held  under  the  Commonwealth,  September  16,  1777.  There  had  been 
some  adlions  and  judgments  entered  in  the  meantime,  which  were  confirmed  by  the 
Court.  It  was  at  this  term,  that  on  motion  of  Robert  Levers,  and  upon  the  recommen- 
dation of  Daniel  Clymer,  Esq.,  Robert  Traill,  Esq.,  was  admitted  as  an  Attorney  of 
this  Court.  There  were  many  suits  brought  to  December  Term,  1777,  and  thereafter 
Courts  were  regularly  held.  There  were  no  Courts  from  June  Term,  1776,  to  September 
Term,  1777.  The  attorneys  whose  names  appear  most  frequently  thereafter  were  Traill, 
Read,  Currie,  Clymer,  Biddle  and  Robison.  Though  the  county  was  then  geographically 
large,  yet  there  was  little  done  in  the  Courts.  One  small  docket  of  361  pages  contains 
all  the  anions  from  December,  1765,  to  December,  1781,  a  period  of  sixteen  years.  At  a 
Court  held  at  Easton  May  16,  1779,  William  McCoy,  Daniel  Monaghan,  and  Patrick 
Drogan,  were  tried  and  convidled  of  murder.     They  were  sentenced  to  be  hung,  and  that 


'34 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


sentence  being  approved,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  fixed  Saturday,  June  12th, 
following,  for  its  execution.  Col.  Rec,  Vol.  XII,  p.  5.  In  the  same  Vol.,  p.  535,  we  find 
that  in  October,  1780,  Ralph  Morden  was  convi<5led  of  high  treason  and  sentenced  to  be 
hung.  This  sentence  was  ordered  by  the  Council  to  be  executed  on  Saturday,  the  25th 
day  of  November,  following. 

Easton  has  frequent  mention  in  the  Colonial  Records  and  Pennsylvania  Archives. 
Enough  has  been  given  to  show,  in  some  measure,  her  importance  in  those  days.  We 
come  now  to  what  was  probably  the  most  exciting  military  incident  of  Easton's  early 
history — Sullivan's  Expedition  against  the  Indians. 


Note. — The  patriots  of  Northampton,  whose  names  appear  upon  the  records  of  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
were  of  different  nationalities.  Taylor,  Gray,  the  Craigs,  Horners,  Browns,  Kennedys,  Hays,  Wilsons,  Millers, 
and  many  others,  were  from  the  north  of  Ireland.  Jesse  Jones  was  of  Welch  descent.  Traill,  Gordon,  Nielson, 
McFall,-  Gaston,  and  Hay,  were  of  Scotch  ancestry.  The  Amdt,  Kachlein,  Hess,  Shnyder,  Odenwelder, 
Mixsell,  Horn,  Ludwig,  Lerch,  Wagener,  Schnable,  Kreider,  and  other  families,  were  of  German  origin.  The 
De  Pui,  La  Bar,  La  Wall,  and  De  Long  families,  were  of  French-Huguenot  descent.  The  Van  Campens,  Van 
Ettens,  Van  Aukens,  and  Van  Sickles,  were  from  Holland.  The  Everett,  Barton,  Read,  Bush,  Jayne,  Mead, 
Washburn,  and  Walls  families,  were  from  England.     Manuel  Gonsales  was  of  Spanish  origin. 

So,  there  are  nine  names,  representing  the  same  number  of  nationalities,  prominent  in  the  early  history  of 
New  York.  Schuyler,  was  of  Holland ;  Herkimer,  of  German  ;  John  Jay,  of  French  ;  Li\'ingston,  of  Scotch  ; 
Clinton,  of  Irish ;  Morris,  of  Welsh ;  Hoffman,  of  Swedish ;  and  Steuben,  of  Prussian,  descent.  Alexander 
Hamilton  was  born  in  the  Island  of  Nevis,  one  of  the  English  West  India  Islands.  His  father  was  a  Scotch- 
man, and  his  mother,  a  French-Huguenot  lady.  The  early  settlement  of  New  York,  under  Dutch  auspices, 
affords  an  example  of  religious  toleration,  very  remarkable  for  that  era.  Around  New  Amsterdam  were  many 
nationalities,  of  diverse  creeds,  who  lived  in  peace.  There  were  Hollanders,  Swedes,  Waldenses,  French 
Huguenots,  Scotch,  English,  Irish,  and  Germans.  Later  a  colony  of  Germans  from  the  Palatinate  settled  on 
the  Mohawk,  many  of  whom  afterwards  came  to  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  Conrad  Weiser,  the  celebrated 
Indian  Interpreter,  was  of  this  stock. 

Thus  was  there  a  blending  here  of  the  best  blood  of  the  world,  and  the  result  was  independence  of  thought 
and  adtion,  self-reliance,  and  at  last,  freedom  throughout  the  land — the  land  of  soul-liberty — our  countn,-. 

"  It  is  the  land  that  freemen  till, 
That  sober-suited  Freedom  chose  ; 
The  land  where,  girt  with  friends  or  foes, 
A  man  may  .speak  the  thing  he  will." 


SULLIVAN'S  EXPEDITION. 


Organized  at  Easton  —  Arrival  of  Artillery  and  Soldiers  from  the  National  Army —  Advance  of  Pioneer  Corps  — 
Sullivan's  Road  — March  to  Wyoming— Union  of  Forces  with  General  Clinton  — The  Battle  —  Devastation 
of  the  Indian  Country  —  Return  to  Easton  —  Depreciation  of  the  Currency. 


^|[g|ANY  years  had  passed  since  the  last  of  the  Indian  treaties  had  been  held 
at  the  "Forks  of  the  Delaware."  Parsons,  Gordon,  and  others,  who  had 
so  well  cared  for  the  interests  of  the  town  had  finished  their  earthly  labors 
and  were  at  rest.  But  their  mantles  had  fallen  on  others  who  had  bravely 
taken  up  their  work,  and  to  whom  was  given  the  great  privilege  of  wit- 
nessing its  triumphant  success.  Great  Britain  was  in  1775,  beyond  ques- 
tion, the  ruling  power  of  Europe.  France  had  been  beaten  in  the  seven 
years  war,  which  closed  in  1763,  and  had  lost  the  greater  part  of  her 
colonial  possessions.  In  the  interval  of  peace  England  had  become  rich 
and  powerful.  Her  ships  were  on  every  sea,  and  the  nations  of  the  civi- 
lized world  were  but  her  tributaries.  The  united  American  colonies, 
without  money,  or  public  property,  or  a  treasury,  or  national  credit,  had  entered  into  war 
with  this  nation,  and  had  met  with  varying  success.  Angered  by  the  desperate  courage 
and  continued  resistance  of  the  colonists,  the  British  sovereign  resolved  to  call  to  his  aid 
his  Indian  allies,  the  most  faithful  and  powerful  of  whom  were  the  Iroquois,  or  Six 
Nations,  whose  headquarters  were  south  of  Lake  Ontario,  in  what  is  now  New  York  State. 
It  was  their  influence  which  brought  against  the  colonies  the  combined  Indian  forces  from 
the  Mohawk  to  the  great  lakes  of  the  northwest.  Then  was  heard  the  fierce  yell  of  the 
savage  along  the  frontier  settlements ;  then  the  torch  and  the  tomahawk  performed  their 
deadly  work ;  then  were  outrage  and  murder  rife ;  then  was  the  irruption  of  Indians,  led 
by  Englishmen  and  Tories,  into  the  valley  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  the  slaughter  of 
Wyoming. 

The  defeat  and  surrender  of  Burgo)-ne  at  Saratoga,  in  October,  1777,  had  left  the 
British  without  forces  for  a  regular  campaign  in  the  year  1778,  and  it  was  determined  to 
employ  the  Indians  and  Tories  in  carrying  on  a  war  of  desolation  on  the  frontier.  The 
invasion  of  Wyoming  was  resolved  upon,  because  her  sons  had  early  declared  against 
British  usurpations,  and  had  freely  volunteered  in  the  revolutionary  anny.  It  was  made; 
the  fair  valley  was  devastated,  the  houses  burned,  the  crops  destroyed,  and  her  brave  men 
slaughtered.  A  thrill  of  horror  passed  through  the  country  at  this  outrage.  General 
Washington  took  prompt  a(?lion,  and  on  Ocftober  26th,  following,  addressed  a  communi- 
cation to  Congress  in  reference  to  an  "  Expedition  against  Chemung, ' '  enclosing  reports 
of  Governor  Clinton,  and  Generals  Schuyler  and  Hand;  on  which  it  was,  "Resolved, 
That  Congress  approve  the  reasons  for  not  undertaking,  for  the  present,  an  expedition 
against  that  place."  Journals  of  Congress,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  108.  But  the  purpose  was  not 
abandoned.  On  February  25,  1779,  Congress  "Resolved,  That  the  representation  of  the 
circumstances  of  the  western    frontiers,   communicated  by  a  committee  of  the  General 


136 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  and  copies  of  the  memorials  and  letters  from  the  governors  of 
Connedlicut  and  New  York,  respedling  the  depredations  on  the  said  frontiers,  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  commander-in-chief,  who  is  direcfled  to  take  effedlual  measures  for  the  pro- 
tedlion  of  the  inhabitants  and  chastisement  of  the  savages."     lb.  lb.,  p.  212. 

Washington  acted  promptly.  He  was  a  grand  judge  of  men,  and  he  ordered  General 
John  Sullivan  to  carry  the  war  into  the  country  of  the  Six  Nations,  "to  cut  off  their  set- 
tlements, destroy  their  crops,  and  infli(5l  upon  them  every  other  mischief,  which  time  and 
circumstances  would  permit."  The  plan  of  the  campaign  was  that  one  division  should 
ascend  the  valley  of  the  North  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna  to  its  interseclion  with  Tioga 
river,  under  General  Sullivan  ;  and  the  other,  from  the  north,  under  General  Clinton,  to 
descend  the  Susquehanna,  from  its  source;  and  after  forming  ajuncftion,  to  march  along 
the  Chemung  river  into  the  Indian  country.  General  Sullivan  made  Easton  his  head- 
quarters in  preparing  for  his  campaign,  doubtless  after  con- 
sultation with  General  Washington,  who  was  so  sensible  of 
its  great  importance,  and  so  extremely  anxious  for  its  success, 
that  he  wrote,  on  July  5,  1779,  the  following  letter  (Penn. 
Archives,  Vol.  VII,  p.  535),  urging  the  Executive  Council  to 
give  all  the  aid  in  their  power:  "I  must  entreat,  in  the  most 
pressing  tenns,  that  the  Council  will  be  pleased,  without  delay, 
to  take  effedlual  measures  to  have  the  number  of  men  origi- 
nally requested  sent  forward.  The  Council  are  fully  sensible 
of  the  importance  of  success  in  the  present  e:<f)edition,  and 
of  the  fatal  mischief  which  would  attend  a  defeat.  We  should 
perhaps  lose  an  army,  and  our  frontiers  would  be  desolated  and 
deluged  in  blood.  A  large  reinforcement  has  been  sent  from 
Canada  to  join  the  savages.  They  are  collecfling  their  forces 
for  a  vigorous  opposition,  and  if  they  are  successful,  their  de- 
vastations will  exceed  anything  that  we  have  yet  experienced. 
Their  means  will  be  increased,  and  their  cruelty  will  be  em- 
boldened by  success  and  sharpened  by  revenge.  It  was  not 
in  my  power  to  send  a  greater  Continental  force.  I  have  stretched  this  string  as  hard  as 
it  will  possibly  bear,  and  relied  on  the  further  aid  of  the  States  more  immediately  con- 
cerned. I  hope  I  shall  not  be  eventually  disappointed.  I  flatter  myself,  that  the  Council 
will  think  my  anxiety  on  this  occasion  natural,  and  will  excuse  my  importunity." 

As  we  have  seen,  Congress  had  authorized  this  expedition,  February  25,  1779.  This 
letter  is  dated  July  5,  1779.  The  summer  was  passing  away,  and  the  forces  promised  from 
Pennsylvania  have  not  yet  appeared.  General  Sullivan  had  written  the  Council  upon 
this  matter.  In  his  letter  dated,  "Headquarters,  Easton,  May  31,  1779,"  he  says:  "I 
am  informed  by  Mr.  Blaine,"  the  Commissary,  "that  the  stores  on  the  Susquehanna  have 
no  guards  to  secure  them.  I  always  supposed  that  the  ranging  companies  from  your  State 
would  pass  by  that  route  and  guard  the  stores  to  Wyoming.  I  must  entreat  of  your 
Excellency  to  send  them  on  to  Easton,  if  they  are  ready  ;  if  the  whole  are  not  prepared 
to  march,  I  wish  such  as  possibly  can  be  spared,  may  be  sent  on.  Should  the  whole  fail 
to  reach  me  in  time,  I  must  request  the  favor  of  your  Council  to  call  out  a  number  of  >our 
militia  from  the  neighborhood  of  Sunbury  for  the  purpose.      I  have  just  returned  from  the 


A    CONTINENTAL    SOLDIER. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  137 

great  Swamps;  I  find  the  road  in  such  forwardness,  that  I  shall  march  the  army  for 
Wyoming,  this  week."  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  VII,  p.  450.  But  the  men  were 
not  furnished.  General  Sullivan  then  wrote  to  Congress,  lb.  lb.,  p.  568,  as  follows: 
"Headquarters,  Wyoming,  July  21,  1779.  General  Washington,  in  consequence  of  my 
letters,  wrote  the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  for  the  rangers  and  riflemen,  and 
the  President  frequently  wrote  me  that  they  would  be  ready  in  season.  Not  a  man  of 
them  has  joined  us,  nor  are  any  about  to  do  it.  The  reason  assigned  by  them  is,  that  the 
quartermaster  gave  such  extravagant  prices  to  boatmen,  that  they  all  enlisted  in  the  boat 
service.  But  this  must  be  a  mistake,  for  we  have  not  a  hundred  boatmen  enlisted  for  the 
army,  and  but  forty-two  pack  horsemen,  so  that  I  must  draft  for  boatmen  and  pack  horse- 
men." Wagons,  teams,  and  drivers  were  needed  to  transport  the  baggage.  On  p.  388 
of  same  volume  of  Archives,  we  find  the  following  letter : 

"Headquarters,  Easton,  May  11,  1779. 
To  President  Reed : 

I  find  that  a  law  of  your  State  will  much  impede  the  intended  Expedition,  unless 
your  Excellency  will  procure  an  order  from  the  Executive  Council,  impowering  the 
Quartermaster  to  impress  in  this  county  such  wagons,  horses,  etc. ,  as  may  be  found  neces- 
sary for  forwarding  the  stores,  etc.,  over  to  the  Susquehanna.  You  will  easily  discover 
the  necessity  of  this  measure,  and  I  doubt  not,  of  your  readiness  to  comply  with  this 
request. ' ' 

President  Reed,  in  his  reply,  intimated  that  the  word  "impress"  was  too  harsh  for 
use  in  Pennsylvania.  General  Sullivan  courteously  acknowledged  that  he  had  used  the 
wrong  term,  and  attributed  it  to  his  ignorance  of  Pennsylvania  law.  This  letter  bears 
date,  Easton,  May  26,  1779.  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  VII,  p.  439.  In  it  he  thanks  the 
Council  for  sending  "three  blank  warrants  for  teams,  wagons,  etc.,"  to  fill  out  at  his 
pleasure,  and  thus  obtain  the  means  of  transportation.  The  warrants  were  for  North- 
ampton, Bucks  and  Berks  counties,  though  used  only  in  the  first  two.  Of  one  hundred 
wagons  needed,  he  procured  sixty  from  Northampton  and  forty  from  Bucks.  Thus  were 
his  means  of  transportation  provided.  And  now  the  town  is  roused  from  its  quiet.  All 
eyes  were  turned  to  the  Jersey  shore.  The  First  New  Jersey  Regiment  approaches  through 
the  village  of  Phillipsburg,  and  martial  music  echoes  from  the  surrounding  hills,  while 
the  troops  were  transported  over  the  Delaware  in  boats.  Colonel  Pro<5lor's  Artillery  thun- 
dered forth  a  welcome.  On  May  26th,  the  Third  New  Jersey  Regiment  crossed  the  river. 
A  German  Battalion,  and  Major  Powell's  command,  had  come  in  April.  In  May  appeared 
a  regiment  from  York  County,  Pennsylvania.  Then  came  a  regiment  from  New  Hamp- 
shire, the  neighbors  of  the  heroes  of  Concord,  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill.  There  was 
also  a  regiment  commanded  by  Captain  John  Paul  Schotts,  a  German  ofl!icer,  who  served 
in  the  army  of  Frederick  the  Great. 

Thus  was  Easton  filled  with  soldiers.  Their  tents  were  pitched  along  the  Delaware 
and  Lehigh  rivers,  and  up  the  Bushkill  creek.  The  officers  occupied  the  hotels.  The 
Court  House  in  the  Square  was  filled  ;  so  was  the  old  Durham  boat  store  house  of  Chris- 
tian Butz.  The  heavy  wagons  of  the  farmers  of  Northampton  and  Bucks  came  slowly  in. 
Never  before  had  so  large  a  number  of  troops  congregated  here.  There  was  an  army  of 
twenty-five  hundred  men,  with  teamsters  for  the  transport  wagons  and  drivers  for  the  pack 


138 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


on  the  2oth  at  Choiider' 


horses.  The  hour  for  the  inarch  was  at  hand.  The  advance  corps  of  pioneers  had  opened 
a  road,  and  all  was  in  commotion  incident  to  the  great  campaign,  the  results  of  which 
were  to  influence  for  good  or  ill  the  destiny  of  our  countr}%  and  to  draw  the  attention  of 
the  civilized  world.  There  was  then  no  road  up  the  Bushkill  creek  beyond  the  mill,  near 
the  present  county  bridge,  next  the  planing  mill ;  and  Sullivan  street,  more  generally 
known  as  "Lover's  Lane,"  was  then  made  by  the  pioneer  corps  of  General  Sullivan's  army. 
It  ran  by  the  reservoir  of  the  Easton  Water  Company,  and  thence  westwardly  direclly 
over  Chestnut  Hill. 

On  the  morning  of  June  i8,  1779,  the  troops  were  early  in  motion,  and  as  they 
marched  to  the  martial  music  of  fife  and  drum,  the  soldiers  were  shouting  the  refrain — 

"  Don't  you  hear  your  General  say, 
Strike  your  tents  and  march  away." 

The  line  of  march  extended  more  than  two  miles.  The  army  encamped  the  first 
night  at  Wind  Gap,  near  Heller's ;  on  June  19th  at  Larner's,  on  the  Pocono  Mountain  ; 
Camp :  21st  at  Fatigue  Camp  ;  2 2d  at  Sullivan's  Camp,  at  Great 
Meadows,  seven  miles  from  the  Wyoming  \'alley, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  23d  of  June.  The  soldiers 
had  now  reached  the  beautiful  vale  which  had  so  re- 
cently been  the  scene  of  rapine,  outrage  and  murder ; 
of  most  savage  cruelties  inflicfted  by  the  Indians  under 
the  lead  of  Tories  and  British  officers.  But  the  day 
of  vengeance  was  at  hand.  If  aught  had  been  needed 
to  nerve  the  heart  and  strengthen  the  arm  of  ever>' 
soldier  in  the  ranks,  the  recital  of  the  wrongs  suffered 
by  the  inhabitants,  the  charred  timbers  of  the  houses 
burned,  and  the  destrudlion  wrought  everywhere, 
would  have  sufficed.  The  brief  accounts  of  the  march 
handed  down  to  us  show  that  there  was  no  flinching 
thereafter  from  the  fight.  Each  man  was  filled  with 
the  desire  of  avenging  the  vidlims  of  that  cruel  onslaught.  Such  an  army  was  invincible 
in  such  a  cause.  At  last  had  deliverance  come  to  the  people  of  fair  Wyoming  ;  and  we  can 
well  believe  that  the  brave  men  and  noble  women  of  the  valley  welcomed  the  anny  with 
joy  and  exultation.  The  river  was  lined  with  the  boats  sent  for  the  transportation  of  pro- 
visions, artillery,  and  the  munitions  of  war.  Before  the  march  began,  a  soldier  who  had 
been  tried  and  condemned  at  Easton,  was  executed.  Twenty  of  a  German  regiment 
were  condemned  to  death  for  desertion ;  but  intercession  was  made  for  them,  a  pardon 
granted,  and  they  were  restored  to  the  ranks. 

Upon  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  July,  Colonel  Reed  arrived  with  ninety  wagons 
loaded  with  provisions  ;  and  on  July  31st,  the  whole  army  was  on  the  march.  Meanwhile 
had  every  movement  been  watched  by  the  enemy,  who  resorted  to  ever\-  device  to  delay 
and  harass  the  advancing  ann>-.  Brant,  the  celebrated  Iroquois  Chief,  attacked  its  right 
flank.  McDonald,  with  a  combined  force  of  British  troops  and  Indians,  led  by  Hiokoto,  a 
veteran  Seneca  warrior,  came  down  on  his  left.  Messages  came  from  right  and  left, 
beseeching  aid  ;  but  General  Sullivan  was  not  to  be  turned  from  the  grand  purpose  of  his 


INDIAN    SCOUT. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


139 


campaign,  and  steadily  pressed  forward  to  Tioga  Point,  near  the  present  site  of  Elmira, 
New  York,  where  he  arrived  on  August  11,  1779. 

As  already  stated.  General  James  Clinton,  of  New  York,  had  been  ordered  to  co-ope- 
rate with  General  Sullivan  in  his  expedition  against  the  Iroquois.  Crossing  the  Mohawk 
river  he  came  to  Lake  Otsego,  one  of  the  sources  of  the  river  Susquehanna,  down  which 
he  was  to  join  Sullivan.  Upon  his  arrival  at  the  lake,  he  had  built  two  hundred  batteaux, 
for  the  transportation  of  his  army.  And  here  an  unforeseen  difficulty  presented  itself. 
The  water  in  the  outlet  was  too  low  to  admit  the  passage  of  his  boats.  He  immediately 
damned  the  lake,  created  an  artificial  flood,  and  then  suddenly  breaking  the  centre  of  his 
dam,  produced  such  a  current  as  sufficed  to  carry  his  boats  rapidly  to  the  place  of  jundlion 
at  Tioga  Point,  where  he  arrived  on  August  2  2d,  midst  the  cheers  of  the  army  under 
Sullivan,  and  the  roar  of  his  artillery.  The  following  account  of  the  battle  is  taken  from 
Miner's  History : 

"On  the  north  side  of  the  Tioga  river,  where  there  was  a  bend  fonning  almost  a  right 
angle,  on  a  steep  gravelly  bank,  the  enemy  had  thrown  up  a  breast  work,  nearly  half  a 
mile  in  length  ;  this  was  to  be  the  scene  of  the  final  battle.  Their  works  were  masked  by 
shrubs  stuck  in  the  ground  as  if  still  growing.  The  divisions  of  the  army  soon  took 
position,  and  all  was  ready  for  the  attack.  General  Sullivan  promptly  gave  orders  to  Poor 
to  scale  the  hills  on  the  right,  rouse  the  Indians  from  their  lurking  places  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet ;  press  on  with  spirit ;  give  them  no  time  to  shelter  themselves  behind  the 
trees,  and  then  to  wheel,  fall  on  their  left  flank  and  rear.  Pro(flor  took  good  position  and 
played  vigorously  with  his  artillery'.  Parr  with  his  whole  rifle  corps  was  adlively  engaged. 
Spalding  and  Franklin,  with  the  Wyoming  troops,  were  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 
General  Hand  led  his  infantry  gallantly  into  the  storm  of  battle.  Generals  Clinton  and 
Maxwell,  with  their  forces,  were  held  in  reserve,  impatient  at  their  restraint.  Tlie  enemy 
contested  the  ground  with  determined  resolution  until  Poor  had  cleared  the  hills  of  the 
sharp  shooters  of  the  enemy,  and  was  coming  down  like  an  avalanche  on  their  left  flank 
and  rear,  when  their  whole  force  broke  and  fled  with  precipitate  haste. 

"The  enemy  did  not  attempt  to  rally,  nor  was  further  resistance  offered  to  the  advance 
of  the  combined  armies.  About  thirty  were  killed  in  the  battle,  and  a  number  wounded. 
But  there  was  not  a  moment's  delay.  The  dead  were  buried  ;  the  wounded  cared  for  ;  and 
then  the  destrudlion  of  the  enemy's  country  was  commenced.  It  was  the  last  of  August. 
Corn  and  beans  were  ripening  in  the  fields  ;  these  and  all  other  vegetables  were  destroyed. 
An  orchard  of  fifteen  hundred  peach  trees,  bending  with  ripening  fruit,  near  an  Indian 
town,  between  the  Seneca  and  Cayuga  lakes,  was  destroyed  and  the  trees  cut  down.  The 
combined  armies,  nearly  four  thousand  strong,  marched  through,  laying  waste  the  whole 
country.  Forty  Indian  towns  were  laid  in  ashes,  the  largest  containing  one  hundred  and 
twenty  houses.  Every  field  of  growing  corn  was  destroyed  and  every  cabin  burned. 
The  quantity  of  corn  destroyed  was  estimated  at  160,000  bushels." 

The  work  of  devastation  occupied  the  amiy  for  one  month.  The  orders  of  General 
Washington,  already  referred  to,  had  been  obeyed  to  the  very  letter ;  and  the  combined 
armies  returned  from  the  field  of  vi6lory.  The  army  of  General  Sullivan  came  down  the 
north  branch  of  the  Susquehanna  to  Wilkes-Barre ;  and  from  thence  marched  to  Easton 
over  the  road  made  but  a  few  months  before.  On  their  arrival  the  soldiers  were  ' '  billeted ' ' 
upon  the  town.     An  officer  passed  through  the  streets  and  marked  upon  each  house  the 


[40 


THE  HISTORY  OF 

Yet  their  stav  was  brief,  and  in  a  few  davs  Easton 


number  the  family  must  entertain, 
resumed  its  peaceful  habit. 

The  expedition  thus  brought  to  a  successful  close  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution.  No  better  evidence  of  its  importance  can  be  given  than  the 
adlion  taken  by  Congress  in  relation  thereto,  on  Thursday,  Oclober  14,  1779.  "A  letter 
of  the  9th  from  General  Washington  was  read,  enclosing  a  letter  of  the  28th  of  September 
from  Major  General  Sullivan,  at  Chemung,  giving  an  account  of  his  successful  expedition 
against  the  hostile  Indians.     Whereupon,   on  motion  of  Mr.   Gerry,   it  was,    Resolved, 


.ACROSS  THE  DEI.AWARK — THK 
[l-"R(lM    A 


FIFTY  VEAR.S  AGO. 


That  the  thanks  of  Congress  be  given  to  his  Excellency,  General  Washington,  for  diretling, 
and  to  Major  General  Sullivan  and  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers  under  his  command  for 
effecflually  executing  an  important  expedition  against  such  of  the  Indian  nations  as, 
encouraged  by  the  Councils  and  condudled  by  the  officers  of  his  Britannic  Majesty,  had 
perfidiously  waged  an  unpro\oked  and  cruel  war  against  these  United  States,  laid  waste 
many  of  their  defenceless  towns,  and  with  savage  barbarity  slaughtered  tlie  inhabitants 
thereof.  Resolved,  That  it  will  be  proper  to  set  apart  the  second  Thursday  in  December, 
next,  as  a  day  of  general  thanksgiving  in  these  United  States,  and  that  a  committee  of 
four  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  recommendation  to  the  said  States  for  this  purpose.      The 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  141 

members  chosen  :  Mr.  Root,  Mr.  Hoi  ton,  Mr.  Muhlenberg,  and  Mr.  Morris."  Journals  of 
Congress,  Vol.  Ill,  pp.  2;]-],  378.  Against  such  contemporaneous  testimony,  the  carping  and 
disingenuous  comments  of  Bancroft,  in  his  History  of  the  United  States,  Vol.  X,  pp. 
230,  231,  232,  can  have  little  weight. 


There  is  but  little  known  of  the  history  of  Easton  in  the  concluding  years  of  the 
war.  Business  was  prostrate,  and  the  closest  economy  required.  A  further  disheartening 
complication  arose  from  the  depreciation  of  the  public  money.  The  expenses  of  the  war 
had  been  heavy,  and  the  calls  upon  the  people  for  clothing,  food,  and  military  stores,  very 
many.  Bills  of  credit  to  a  very  large  amount  had  been  authorized  by  Congress  in  the 
year  1779,  in  addition  to  previous  issues.  On  February  3,  1779,  an  issue  was  resolved  of 
$5,000,160;  on  February  19,  following,  a  further  issue  of  $5,000,16;  on  April  i,  fol- 
lowing, another  issue  of  15,000,160;  on  July  17,  following,  further  issues  of  $15,000,280. 
See  Vol.  HI,  Annals  of  Congress,  pp.  195,  207,  242,  324.  Thus  more  than  $30,000,000 
were  authorized  within  five  months.  There  could  be  but  one  result ;  specie  disappeared 
from  circulation.  The  entire  paper  currency  issued  amounted  to  $200,000,000.  Confi- 
dence was  lost.  Taxation  could  not  be  resorted  to,  for  the  country  was  poor,  without 
trade,  agriculture,  or  commerce  abroad.  Hence  great  exertions  were  made  to  give  value 
to  the  currency.  Meetings  were  held  throughout  the  State  for  this  purpose.  Among 
them  was  one  held  at  Allen  township,  in  this  county,  at  the  house  of  John  Siegfried,  at 
which  Colonel  Henry  Geiger  presided,  and  Robert  Traill  was  secretary.  Addresses  were 
made  and  resolutions  passed,  expressing  a  belief  that  this  currency  would  be  redeemed. 
But  these  exertions  were  fruitless;  the  bills  sank  steadily  in  value,  until  in  1781,  they 
became  nearly  worthless,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  receipt  of  an  Easton  inn  keeper  for 
entertaining  an  agent  of  the  State  : 

"Easton,  March  17,  1781. 

To  nip  of  toddy 10  dollars. 

"   cash 8       " 

"   cash 12 

"    I  bowl  of  punch 30 

"    I  bowl  of  punch 30       " 

"    I  grog 8       " 

"   washing 49 

"    I  bowl  of  punch 30       " 

"    I  grog        8       " 

"    I  bowl  of  punch.       30       " 

"   21  quarts  of  oats 62       " 

"   hay  90       " 

"    12  meals  vi(ftuals 260 

"   lodging 40 

Total 667 

Received  the  contents  of  the  above. 

JACOB  OPP,  Inn  Keeper." 

See  History  of  the  Lehigh  Valley,  p.  109.  The  liquor  bill  was  $146.  This  was 
probably  then  the  leading  hotel ;  for  the  first  pavement  of  which  we  now  have  any  account 
was  laid  from  the  Public  Square  to  "Opp's  Tavern,"  at  the  corner  of  Northampton  and 
Hamilton  .streets,  now  the  Central  Hotel. 


142  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  depreciation  of  the  currency  became  of  such  grave  public  concern  that  it  was 
regulated  by  legislation.  In  Dallas'  Laws,  Vol.  I,  p.  882,  it  was  enadled,  "That  the  fol- 
lowing scale  of  depreciation  shall  be  the  rule  to  determine  the  value  of  the  several  debts, 
contracfts,  and  demands,  in  this  a(5l  mentioned  compared  with  silver  and  gold:" 

One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy -seven. 

January,  one  and  a  half.  July,  three. 

February,  one  and  a  half.  August,  three. 

March,  two.  September,  three. 

April,  two  and  a  half.  Oftober,  three. 

May,  two  and  a  half.  November,  three. 

June,  two  and  a  half.  December,  four. 
One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-eight. 

January,  four.  July.  ^o\i\. 

February,  five.  August,  five. 

March,  five.  September,  five. 

April,  six.  OAober,  five. 

May,  five.  November,  six. 

June,  four.  December,  six. 
One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-nine. 

January,  eight.  July,  nineteen. 

February,  ten.  August,  twenty. 

March,  ten  and  a  half.  September,  twenty-four. 

April,  seventeen.  OAober,  thirty. 

May,  twenty-four.  November,  thirty-eight  and  one-half. 

June,  twenty.  December,  forty-one  and  one-half 
One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty. 

January,  forty  and  a  half.  Jul.v.  sixty-four  and  a  half. 

February,  forty-seven  and  a  half.  August,  seventy. 

March,  sixty-one  and  a  half.  September,  seventy-two. 

April,  sixty-one  and  a  half.  OAober,  seventy-three. 

May,  fifty-nine.  November,  seventy-four. 

June,  sixty-one  and  a  half.  December,  seventy-five. 
One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-one. 

January,  seventy-five.  February,  seventy-five. 

This  a(5l  was  passed  April  3,  1781.  We  have  given  this  table  that  our  readers  may 
realize,  in  some  measure,  the  condition  of  affairs,  when  the  war  of  the  Revolution  was, 
praiflically,  ended  by  the  surrender  of  Comwallis,  at  Yorktown,  0<5lober  19,  1781. 

The  following  list  of  the  taxable  inhabitants,  with  the  valuation  of  their  property,  in 
1780,  will  show  who  then  resided  here  : 

Henry  Alshouse,  Sr.,  joiner .^435 

Henry  Alshouse,  Jr.,  joiner 49 

Philip  Achenbach,  laborer 120 

Jacob  Able,  inn  keeper 260 

keeper  of  the  ferry 680 

Henry  Barnet,  tanner 970 

Abraham  Berlin,  Esq 325 

.Abraham  Berlin,  Jr.,  blacksmith 130 

Jacob  Berlin,  blacksmith 260 

Widow  of  Henry  Bush,  inn  keeper 406 

Widow  of  George  Bush,  inn  keeper 69 

F.rnst  Becker,  baker 143 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 

John  Batt,  skindresser ^224 

Chris.  Bittenbender,  skindresser 161 

George            "            nailer igj 

Henry  Brown,  tailor 126 

Nathaniel  "         "      280 

John  Brotzman,   "      ny 

John  Bishop,        "      48 

Peter  Batchman,  joiner ,2 

Henry  Bush,  carpenter 25 

George  Balmer,  surveyor 05 

John  Coleman,  barber ^8 

John  Deebler,  miller 48 

Peter  Eahler,  gaoler 107 

Andrew  Epkelmyer,  laborer ' 65 

Arnold  Eberhard,  weaver 1S3 

George  Ernfreed,  blacksmith 260 

Henry  Fullert ^go 


143 


Nicholas  Funston,  farmer 


349 


James             "               "        48 

Lewis  Gordon,  (Est.) 243 

Jacob  Grotz,  Sr.,  farmer 143 

"      Jr.,  carpenter 146 

Abel  Gibbons,  skindresser 48 

and  the  house  he  lives  in 48 

Myer  Harts,  storekeeper 2095 


Michael 


1797 


and  the  house  he  lives  in 464 

Adam  Haj',  weaver 97 


Christian  Holland,  nailor 


130 


Abraham  Horn,  joiner 48 

and  the  house  he  lives  in 48 

Jacob  Hernt,  innkeeper ■ 82 

and  the  house  he  lives  in 250 

Conrad  Houseman,  butcher 48 

and  the  house  he  lives  in 48 

Christopher  Hartzell,  joiner 151 

R.  L.  Hooper,  Jr.,  D.  Q.  M.  G'l 1760 

John  Hatfield,  cooper 30 

Henry  Hain,  carpenter 25 

Conrad  Ihrie,  Sr.,  innkeeper 351 

"           "      Jr.,  treasurer 114 

John  Kary,  carpenter 25 

Peter  Kachline,  Sr.,  miller ....  2095 

Andrew     "                                 195 

Lewis  Knouse,  saddler 291 

Abraham  Labar,  tailor 545 

Michael  Lehn,  laborer 48 

Widow  Lyons,  shopkeeper 78 

Andrew  Ledlie,  physician 468 

Burnard  Levi,  storekeeper 260 

John  Mush,  shoemaker 245 

John  Myer,  farmer 148 

John  Murphy,  watchmaker 161 

Widow  Nungesser,  innkeeper 620 

and  the  estate 1312 

John  Nicholas,  butcher 346 


THE  HISTORY  OF 

Jacob  Nunnemacher,  cooper ;f  i86 

Joseph  Nathan,  shopkeeper 291 

Jacob  Opp,  innkeeper 829 

Michael  Opp,  weaver 273 

Christian  Pfeiffer,  shopkeeper 297 

John  Reese,  tailor 245 

Jacob       "           "         20 

John  Randal,  shoemaker 20 

Widow  Reeger,      "             82 

Lew-is         "       mason no 

Adam  Reeser,  laborer 84 

Conrad  Rohn,        "        114 

Peter  Reghter,  cooper 48 

Herman  Snyder,     "         349 

Peter            "       tanner 760 

John  Simon,  hatter 232 

Cath.  Spering,    "      69 

Lewis  Shaub,  joiner 69 

Frederick  Shouse,  mason 326 

Henry              "        joiner no 

John  Spangenberg,  shopkeeper 298 

John  Shock,  innkeeper 585 

Theophilus  Shannon,  innkeeper 801 

George  Taylor,  esquere 82 

and  the  house  he  lives  in 285 

Nicholas  Traill,  shoemaker 161 

Robert          "               "            378 

Adam  Yohe,  Sr.,        "            3S0 

"      Jr.,         ••            25 

Henry  Young,  locksmith 97 

John          "        armorer 232 

Michael  Yohe,  shoemaker 232 

David  Wagoner,  miller 1151 

Frederick     "        innkeeper .    .  255 

Robert  Levers,  prothonotary   ...        82 

SINGLE  FREEMEN. 

Thomas  Anderson,  commissions 200 

John  Herster,  laborer 160 

Adam  Crafft,  tailor 170 

Christian  Shouse,  joiner 170 

John  Funston,  laborer 170 

Isaac  Berlin,  armorer 170 

Robert  Hannon,  tailor 150 

Merits  Bishop,  watchmaker 160 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


145 


HON.  SAMUEL  SITGREAVES. 

The  family  of  Hon.  Samuel  Sitgreaves  was  of  English  origin,  and  settled  at  Lan- 
cashire, England,  as  early  as  1626.  In  September,  1729,  a  descendant  came  to  Philadelphia, 
where  William  Sitgreaves,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born,  December 
14th,  in  the  same  year.  He  married  Miss  Snsanna  Deshon,  at  Boston,  Mass.,  in  the  year 
1756.  Their  children  were  ten  in  number,  four  daughters  and  six  sons.  Of  these,  four — 
three  sons  and  one  daughter— died  in  infancy.  Another  son  died  at  Germantown,  near 
Philadelphia,  and  was  buried  there.  Of  the  remaining  sons,  Samuel  was  bom  in  Phila- 
delphia, March  16,  1764. 

Mr.  William  Sitgreaves  was  a  merchant  of  wealth  and  position  in  his  day ;  and  gave 
to  his  son  Samuel  every  advantage  in  acquiring  an  education.  Philadelphia,  even  at  that 
early  day,  was  well  supplied  with  schools,  taught  by  graduates  of  the  best  of  the  English 
Universities.  After  completing  his  course  of  studies,  Samuel  entered  his  father's  counting 
room,  where  he  acquired  a  thorough  mercantile  education  and  a  systematic  method  of 
conducfling  business,  which  was  observed  throughout  his  eventful  life. 

Philadelphia  was  at  that  time  a  centre  of  social  and  intelledlual  culture.  From 
Maryland,  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  and  the  West  Indies,  came  the  children  of  planters 
and  merchants,  to  her  schools  and  her  University.  After  1765,  the  Medical  Department 
of  the  University,  established  in  that  year,  with  four  professorships,  became  the  centre  of 
medical  teaching  on  this  continent. 

Though  too  young  for  military  service,  yet  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  he  eagerly 
watched  the  progress  of  events  throughout  the  war;  and  when  in  1781,  from  the  tower  of 
the  old  State  House,  came  the  cry:  "Twelve  o'clock  and  Cornwallis  is  taken;"  which 
first,  when  doubtiugly  repeated,  quickly  ran  through  the  whole  city,  we  can  well  believe 
he  was  one  of  that  joyous  throng  of  shouting  freemen  who  assembled  round  that  historic 
building.  There  can  also  be  no  question  that  he  was  a  most  careful  observer  of  both  state 
and  national  affairs,  between  the  close  of  the  Revolution  and  the  adoption  of  the  Federal 
Constitution,  September  17,  1787.  He  had  personal  knowledge  of  the  defedls  of  the 
Articles  of  Federation,  and  he  was  therefore  peculiarly  prepared  to  comprehend  the  nature 
and  advantages  of  the  new  national  government.  His  eager  mind  caught  the  underlying 
principles  of  free  government,  ' '  of  the  people,  by  the  people,  for  the  people ;' '  and  he 
thus  became,  at  a  later  day,  when  a  member  of  Congress,  a  powerful  aid  to  Washington 
and  the  elder  Adams. 

After  the  completion  of  a  thorough  academical  and  mercantile  education,  Mr.  Sitgreaves 
became  a  student  at  law  with  Hon.  James  Wilson,  one  of  the  most  able  men  of  his  day,  a 
Signer  of  the  Declaration,  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Convention  of  Pennsylvania  in 
1774,  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  one  of  the  first  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States,  appointed  by  President  Washington.  James  A.  Bayard,  of  Delaware, 
afterwards  Congressman  and  Senator  from  that  State,  and  one  of  the  Commissioners  for 
negotiating  peace  with  Great  Britain,  after  the  war  of  1812,  was  a  fellow  student. 

Young  Sitgreaves  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  at  Philadelphia,  September  3,  1783,  being 
then  in  the  twentieth  year  of  his  age,  with  a  reputation  for  talent,  learning  and  ability, 
al.eady  well  established.     Soon  after,  on  November  27,  1783,  he  married  Miss  Francenia 


146 


THE    HISTORY  OF 


Allibone,  of  that  city.  Three  children  were  born  of  this  marriage,  the  first  two  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  one  in  Easton,  September  9,  1786.  The  name  of  Samuel  Sitgreaves  appears 
on  the  records  of  the  courts  of  this  county  as  early  as  1779. 

In  1786  he  removed  to  Easton,  where  he  became  very  prominent,  both  as  an  advocate 
and  statesman.  In  1790  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Convention  to  form  a  Consti- 
tution for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  In  that  body  he  took  a  most  prominent  part,  advo- 
cating with  great  ability  the  most  liberal  features  of  that  instrument,  which  is  an 
embodiment  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  a  free  government.     Among  his  colleagues 


in  this  Convention  were  Albert  Gallatin,  member  of  the  fourth,  fifth  and  sixth  Congresses, 
and  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  from  1802  to  1814 ;  United  States  Senator  in  1793-4; 
Thomas  McKean,  a  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  Governor  of  the  State  from 
1799  to  1808;  Simon  Snyder,  afterwards  Governor  from  1808  to  181 7;  William  Findlay, 
Governor  from  1S17  to  1820;  Joseph  Hiester,  Crovernor  from  1820  to  1823;  James  Wilson, 
of  whom  mention  has  been  made,  and  others,  then  the  ablest  men  of  the  State.  Of  such 
men  was  Samuel  Sitgreaves  the  peer  in  every  regard. 

His  reputation  so  rapidly  extended  that  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  fourth  and 
fifth  Congresses,  1795-6-7-8.      Though  lie  was  but  thirt\-  \-ears  of  age,  he  became,  at  once. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


147 


among  the  foremost  in  debate  ;  and  earl}-  distinguished  himself  in  the  defence  of  President 
Washington,  who  had  refused  to  send  the  documents  relating  to  Jay's  Treaty  to  the 
House  of  Representatives.  A  careful  examination  of  the  Congressional  Reports  shows 
that  few  members  were  heard  more  frequently  in  debate  during  his  four  years  of  Congres- 
sional life ;  and  as  was  to  be  expedled,  every  effort  bore  the  impress  of  a  vigorous  and 
cultivated  intelle(5l,  fully  fitted  for  the  work  of  preparing  and  laying  deeply  the  founda- 
tions of  the  temple  of  liberty,  regulated  b>-  law.  Meanwhile,  he  had  lost  the  wife  of  his 
youth.  He  was  married  a  second  time,  at  Philadelphia,  June  6,  1776,  to  Miss  Maria 
Angelina  Kemper,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Daniel  Kemper,  of  New  York  City,  at  the  house  of 
Dr.  Jackson,  an  uncle  of  the  bride.  Mr.  Sitgreaves  was  then  a  member  of  Congress  from 
this  State. 

Probably  the  most  brilliant  periods  in  the  life  of  this  distinguished  man  were  his 
advocacy  of  Jay's  Treaty,  in  1794,  and  his  mission  to  England,  in  1800.  It  was  his 
fortune  to  have  served  in  the  last  Congress  of  Washington's  administration,  and  the  first 
of  President  John  Adams.  Very  serious  difficulties  had  arisen  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  United  States,  growing  from  unsettled  boundaries,  and  the  attacks  of  the  former 
power  upon  our  commerce ;  war  seemed  inevitable.  To  avoid  this  calamity.  President 
Washington  resolved  to  send  a  special  messenger  to  London  to  effe6l  an  amicable  arrange- 
ment of  the  points  in  dispute,  and  nominated  John  Jay,  then  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  who  resigned  in  order  to  accept  the  appointment  of  special 
minister.  He  was  successful  in  his  mission,  and  a  treaty  was  agreed  upon,  November  19, 
1794,  which  arrived  in  this  countrv'  in  March,  1795,  just  after  the  adjournment  of  Con- 
gress. At  a  Special  Session  of  the  Senate,  called  in  June,  the  treaty  was  ratified.  It 
needed  only  the  signature  of  Washington.  Meanwhile  the  treaty  was  surreptitiously 
procured  and  published,  without  the  accompanying  documents  and  correspondence.  It 
was  criticised,  disse(?ted,  and  condemned,  with  much  passionate  declamation.  Its  merits 
were  concealed,  and  its  objectionable  features  censured  and  exaggerated.  Public  meetings 
were  held,  and  resolutions  passed,  condemning  the  treaty  and  intended  to  intimidate  the 
Executive.  The  first  resolutions  came  from  Boston,  and  were  forwarded  by  an  express, 
which  overtook  Washington  at  Baltimore,  on  his  way  to  Mount  Vernon.  The  time  had 
now  come  for  action.  The  popular  affedlion  for  France  and  hatred  of  England  had  so 
disturbed  the  public  mind,  that  an  unbiassed  judgment  was  impossible.  Washington,  in 
the  quiet  shades  of  Mount  Vernon,  calmly  considered  the  treaty  and  the  resolutions  and 
addresses  sent  to  him.  He  determined  to  approve  the  treaty,  returned  to  the  capitol, 
summoned  his  cabinet  and  submitted  the  question  of  signing  the  document  immediately. 
The  cabinet  approved,  with  the  exception  of  the  Secretar)'  of  State,  Edmund  Randolph  ; 
and  the  treaty  was  signed,  August  18,  1795.  Its  enemies,  confounded  by  this  decisive 
action,  determined  to  obstruct  its  operation,  by  refusing  the  funds  required.  It  was  in  the 
midst  of  these  bitter  strifes,  at  the  incoming  Congress,  that  Samuel  Sitgreaves  took  his 
seat,  as  the  member  from  this  Congressional  Distridl.  Petitions  against  the  treaty  came 
in  abundance.  At  this  jundlure,  and  for  the  purpose  of  a  renewed  opposition,  a  resolution 
was  passed  in  the  Hoiise  of  Representatives,  calling  upon  the  President  for  the  instru(?tions 
given  to  Mr.  Jay,  and  all  of  the  correspondence  and  documents  relating  to  the  negotiation 
of  the  treaty.  The  crisis  was  momentous.  After  calm  and  mature  deliberation,  the 
President  sent  a  message  to  the  House,  refusing  the  request,  and  in  candid  and  respectful 


148  THE    HISTORY  OF 

tenns  showing  that  the  Constitution  had  placed  the  power  of  making  treaties  in  the 
Executive,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate.  The  friends  of  the  reso- 
lution were  not  prepared  for  this  refusal ;  and  a  heated  debate  followed,  lasting  many  days, 
and  very  remarkable  for  "passion,  party  zeal,  eloquence,  and  argument."  In  this  debate 
Mr.  Sitgreaves  took  a  most  acftive  and  a  leading  part.  His  speech  was  pronounced  by 
cotemporaries  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  all  those  made  in  defence  of 
Washington's  course.  The  House  yielded,  possibly  as  much  from  expediency  as  from 
convidlion ;  gave  the  necessarv'  appropriations,  and  the  treaty  passed  from  the  reach  of 
Congressional  a6lion. 

But  the  ability,  learning,  and  zeal  of  Mr.  Sitgreaves  had  attra(5led  the  attention  both 
of  Washington  and  Adams.  By  Art.  VI  of  Jay's  Treaty,  provision  was  made  for  the  adjust- 
ment of  debts  claimed  by  English  subjects  from  citizens  of  the  United  States  to  the 
amount  of  $25,000,000.  This  was  to  be  settled  by  a  mixed  Commission  of  five  members — 
two  from  England,  two  from  the  United  States ;  they  to  choose  a  fifth  Commissioner. 
The  Commission  was  to  meet  in  Philadelphia. 

The  American  Commissioners  were  Thomas  Fitzsimmons  and  Samuel  Sitgreaves ; 
the  English,  Thomas  MacDonald  and  Henr}'  Pye  Rich.  The  fifth  Commissioner  was 
John  Guillemard.  The  first  meeting  of  this  Commission  was  held  in  J\Iay,  1797.  Pro- 
ceedings were  suspended,  July  19,  1799,  and  never  resumed.  The  reason  is  explained  in 
the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Pickering,  Secretar}'  of  State,  to  Rufus  King,  Minister  at 
the  Court  of  St.  James,  September  4,  1799:  "A  letter  received  from  Mr.  Fitzsimmons 
informs  me  that  Mr.  MacDonald  and  Mr.  Pye  Rich,  English  Commissioners,  were  going 
to  embark  for  England  in  the  Packet  to  sail  from  New  York  this  week.  I  do  not  know 
that  this  step,  if  it  could  be  prevented,  should  be  objedled  to,  because  I  see  no  probability 
that  the  business  of  the  Board  can  be  executed  by  the  present  members.  There  appears 
an  incompatibility  of  temper,  if  I  am  rightly  informed ;  it  would  be  difficult  for  any  set 
of  American  Commissioners  to  a<?t  harmoniously  with  Mr.  MacDonald,  unless  they  pos- 
sessed such  weak  and  yielding  dispositions,  as  to  submit  implicitly  to  his  dogmas." 

The  Commission  began  its  session  in  May,  1797,  just  at  the  outset  of  President  John 
Adams'  administration  ;  and  suspended,  July  19,  1799,  a  period  of  more  than  two  years, 
during  which  time  little  progress  had  been  made.  Further  negotiations  were  transferred 
from  Philadelphia  to  London.  Art.  VII  of  the  Treaty  related  to  claims  of  American 
merchants  for  vessels  captured  and  property  destroyed  in  the  war  then  waged  between 
France  and  England ;  and  were  to  be  settled  by  a  mixed  Commission  in  London,  similar 
to  that  which  met  at  Philadelphia.  Neither  Commission  had  finished  its  labors,  when 
that  at  Philadelphia  dissolved.  President  Adams  had  anticipated  the  transfer,  and  had 
resolved  upon  a  Special  Commission  to  Great  Britain.  The  interests  of  the  United  States 
had  been  advocated  with  as  much  firmness  and  zeal  by  Mr.  Sitgreaves  as  those  of 
England  by  Mr.  MacDonald.  Certainly  his  condudl  met  the  wann  approval  of  the  Gov- 
ernment and  the  people;  for  his  commission  bore  date,  August  11,  1798,  and  he  was 
confirmed  by  the  Senate,  December  20,  1798, 'soon  after  the  meeting  of  Congress. 

As  the  English  members  of  the  Commission  did  not  leave  this  countn,-  till  September, 
1799,  Mr.  Sitgreaves  did  not  arrive  in  London  until  1800,  because  the  required  preparation 
for  his  mission  could  not  be  made  until  the  deliberations  of  the  Board  were  suspended. 
Application  was  made  b\-  the  autlior  of  this  history  to  the  Department  of  State  at  Wash- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  149 

ington  for  the  instrudlions  given  to  Mr.  Sitgreaves  on  the  eve  of  his  departure ;  but  none 
were  found,  and  it  is  believed  that  they  were  either  verbal,  or  contained  among  his  papers, 
when  they  were  afterwards  destroyed  by  a  fire  which  happened  at  his  home  in  Easton. 
But  from  the  letters  written  by  him  to  his  family  we  learn  that  his  mission  related  princi- 
pally to  financial  matters  contained  in  Articles  VI  and  VII  of  the  Treaty.  It  is  certain 
that  the  interests  of  the  United  States  had  been  belittled  and  disregarded,  as  also  that  the 
smiles  and  blandishments  of  British  diplomats  had  hitherto  prevented  that  full  acknowl- 
edgment and  recognition  of  our  rights,  which  was  so  essential  to  a  speedy  settlement  upon 
a  basis,  mutually  honorable  and  satisfactory  to  both  nations.  It  was  at  this  juncture  that 
the  new  Commissioner  arrived  at  his  post.  He  was  then  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  of  fine 
presence,  and  fully  prepared,  both  by  mental  accomplishments  and  education,  aided  by 
more  than  two  years  of  careful  examination  of  the  matters  in  dispute,  for  the  settlement 
of  the  points  at  issue.  The  appointment  had  been  peculiarly  judicious,  and  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that  an  adjustment  was  speedily  attained,  which  gave  satisfadlion  to  all  concerned. 
All  financial  differences  were  finally  adjusted  in  convention,  January  8,  1802. 

Meanwhile  Thomas  Jefferson  had  been  eledled  President.  Mr.  Sitgreaves,  upon  his 
return  to  his  native  land,  abandoned  the  realm  of  politics  forever,  and  entered  with  zeal 
upon  the  duties  of  his  profession,  at  Easton,  to  which  he  gave  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

A  most  important  event  in  the  public  life  of  Mr.  Sitgreaves  was  the  impeachment 
of  William  Blount,  one  of  the  Senators  from  the  State  of  Tennessee.  In  1797,  Mr.  Blount 
was  impeached  by  the  House  of  Representatives  for  having  intrigued,  when  Governor  of 
the  Territory,  to  transfer  New  Orleans  and  the  neighboring  districts  to  Great  Britain,  by 
means  of  a  joint  expedition  of  English  and  Indians.  He  was  expelled  from  the  Senate, 
and  the  process  was  therefore,  after  a  protracted  discussion,  dropped  in  the  house. 

This  impeachment  took  place  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1797,  at  the  beginning  of 
President  John  Adams'  administration.  The  United  States  were  at  peace  with  the  world, 
but  England  and  Spain  were  at  war.  The  latter  claimed  dominion  over  the  Floridas,  and 
Louisiana,  and  the  former  coveted  that  possession.  Suddenly,  as  by  a  fire  in  the  night, 
the  administration  was  startled  by  the  fear  of  war  with  the  Indians  and  with  Europe. 
Senator  Blount  had  written  to  a  Mr.  Carey,  a  Government  Agent,  among  the  Indians  of 
the  South.  His  letter  disclosed  the  fa6l  that  he  had  already  agents  in  Florida  and  Louis- 
iana, striving  to  detach  the  tribes  there  located  from  their  allegiance  to  Spain,  and  to  incite 
them  to  war  against  her  colonies.  Another  agent  had  already  been  sent  to  Europe  to 
further  the  project.  By  other  letters  it  was  disclosed  that  an  English  fleet  would  be  sent 
in  due  time  upon  the  coast  to  render  the  aid  needed.  It  was  also  disclosed  that  Mr.  Blount 
expedled  a  large  reward  for  his  services.  President  Adams  had  early  information  of  the 
plot,  and  at  once  sent  a  message,  with  the  papers,  to  the  Senate  and  House.  Mr.  Sitgreaves 
had  just  been  re-ele6led  to  the  latter  body,  and  at  once  took  a  leading  part  in  advocating 
an  impeachment  of  that  Senator.  He  fully  realized  its  importance  as  a  precedent ;  and 
at  once  moved  that  the  Senator  be  impeached  by  the  House  of  Representatives  and  the 
American  people  for  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors.  Upon  the  adoption  of  this  reso- 
lution, Mr.  Sitgreaves  then  moved  that  a  messenger  be  appointed  to  appear  at  the  bar  of 
the  Senate  and  inform  that  body  of  the  action  of  the  House.  Objection  was  made  to  the 
announcement  of  the  aCtion  of  the  House  until  the  articles  of  impeachment  could  be 
drawn,  so  that  both  might  be  presented  at  the  same  time.     Mr.  Sitgreaves  then  showed 


I50  THE   HISTORY  OF 

that  he  was  following  striclly  the  precedent  established  in  the  impeachment  of  Warren 
Hastings ;  and  that  immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  vote  for  impeachment,  j\Ir. 
Burke  was  appointed  the  messenger  to  convey  the  resolution  of  the  Commons  to  the  House 
of  Lords.  The  House  was  convinced,  and  Mr.  Sitgreaves  was  appointed  as  messenger  to 
convey  its  atlion  to  the  Senate.  He  then,  with  the  dignity  and  solemnity  befitting  the 
occasion,  approached  the  bar  of  the  Senate,  and  announced  that  "William  Blount,  Esq., 
a  member  of  that  body  from  Tennessee,  had  been  impeached  by  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives and  the  whole  American  people,  for  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors  ;  and  that  articles 
of  impeachment  would  be  presented  and  the  same  made  good. ' ' 

He  then  returned  to  his  seat  in  the  House,  and  at  once  moved  that  a  committee  be 
appointed  to  prepare  articles  of  impeachment,  with  power  to  sit  during  the  recess  and  to 
send  for  persons  and  papers.  The  resolution  was  adopted  and  he  was  appointed  chainnan 
of  the  committee.  This  was  at  the  close  of  a  special  session  of  Congress.  During  the 
recess  following,  articles  of  impeachment  were  prepared,  and  presented  when  the  next 
Congress  assembled.  Mr.  Dallas,  in  behalf  of  the  defence,  then  answered  that  as  the 
accused  was  not  an  officer  of  the  government,  nor  a  member  of  the  Senate,  the  Court  had 
no  jurisdiclion.  Senator  Bayard  replied  for  the  prosecution,  and  I\Ir.  Dallas  was  again 
heard  in  defence.  The  prosecution  was  finally  dismissed  for  want  of  jurisdicilion  ;  and  the 
point  settled,  that  a  Senator  of  the  United  States,  who  has  been  e.xpelled  from  his  seat,  is 
not,  after  such  expulsion,  subjedl  to  impeachment.  See  Wharton's  State  Trials,  264,  290, 
317  ;  note. 

It  was  also  the  privilege  of  Mr.  Sitgreaves  to  clearly  establish  the  law  relating  to 
treason  against  the  United  States,  in  the  trials  of  John  Fries,  in  the  years  1799  and  1800. 
The  country  was  yet  new,  and  the  people  were  not  well  instrutled  in  their  duties  to  the 
government  of  their  own  making.  Hence  came  "Shay's  Rebellion"  in  Massachusetts; 
and  later  the  "Whiskey  Insurre6lion  "  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  which  became  so  formida- 
ble that  President  Washington  sent  an  army  of  fifteen  thousand  men  to  subdue  it.  The 
leaders  were  tried  and  convicfled,  but  afterwards  pardoned. 

Yet  there  was  still  an  idea  that  odious  taxes  should  be  resisted  by  force  of  anus. 
There  was  comparatively  a  small  national  revenue  from  taxes  on  importations.  The 
needs  of  the  government  for  its  necessary  expenses  and  for  interest  upon  the  public  debt 
were  great  and  pressing.  Therefore  a  direcft  tax  had  been  laid  on  land  and  houses,  which 
was  in  part  regulated  by  the  number  of  windows  in  each  house.  It  was  the  duty  of  the 
assessors  to  measure  both  houses  and  windows  in  order  to  estimate  the  tax.  Serious  resis- 
tance was  made  by  the  inhabitants  of  Northampton,  Bucks,  and  Montgomery  counties. 
Assessors  were  driven  off  and  intimidated,  until  at  length  an  open  resistance  was  made. 
The  insurgents  appeared,  armed  with  swords,  rifles,  and  pistols.  John  Fries,  who  lived 
in  Lower  Milford  township,  now  in  Lehigh  county,  was  the  leader  of  the  malcontents. 
He  was  bold  and  fearless  in  his  opposition  to  the  tax,  and  yet  unwilling  first  to  cause  the 
shedding  of  blood. 

The  insurredlion  culminated  at  Bethlehem,  in  this  county,  where  the  officers  of  the 
government  held  some  prisoners  who  had  been  arrested,  preparatory  to  taking  them  to 
Philadelphia  for  trial.  Fries  appeared  with  his  adherents,  and  forcibly  rescued  them  from 
the  officers  of  the  law.  The  government  prompth-  quelled  the  uprising  and  arrested  the 
leaders.      P'ries  was  indicled  by  the  Grand  Jury,  in  the  Distrid  Court  of  the  United  States, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  i^i 

April  II,  1799.  The  leading  Counsel  were  Mr.  Sitgreaves  for  the  government,  and  Mr. 
Dallas  for  the  prisoner.  The  trial  was  ably  conduced.  Though  Fries  had  pracftically 
confessed  his  guilt  and  signed  his  confession,  Mr.  Sitgreaves  declined  to  take  advantage 
of  it,  but  rested  his  case  upon  the  evidence  produced.  The  Adl  of  Congress  of  1790  had 
provided  "that  if  any  person  or  persons  owing  allegiance  to  the  United  States  of  America 
shall  levy  war  against  them,  or  shall  adhere  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort 
within  the  United  States  or  elsewhere,  and  shall  be  thereof  convidled  in  open  Court  or  on 
the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the  same  overt  a6l  of  the  treason  whereof  he  or  they 
shall  stand  indi<5led,  such  person  or  persons  shall  stand  adjudged  guilty  of  treason  against 
the  United  States  and  shall  suffer  death."  This  clause  in  the  Constitution  was  substan- 
tially the  same  as  a  provision  in  the  Statute  of  Edward  III,  upon  which  the  best  legal 
ability  of  England  had  been  engaged.  For  a  judicial  exposition  of  that  clause  and  that 
statute,  the  reader  is  referred  to  4  Cranch,  U.  S.  S.  C.  Rep.,  pp.  75  to  137.  Trials  of 
Burr,  Bollman  and  Swartwout.  But  the  pivotal  question,  what  is  a  levying  of  war 
against  the  United  States  within  the  meaning  of  that  statute,  was  first  and  finally  settled 
by  the  argument  of  Mr.  Sitgreaves  in  Fries'  case.  He  contended  that  there  must  be  an 
adlual  levying  of  war,  carried  into  some  pracftical  operation  and  effedl,  and  throughout  the 
prosecution,  held  the  testimony  to  this,  as  the  real  issue.  Mr.  Dallas  appealed  to  the 
sympathies  of  the  jury  and  plead  his  client's  penitence  for  his  a<?ts ;  but  the  reply  of  Mr. 
Sitgreaves  was  that  this  showed  only  that  the  prisoner  was  sensible  of  the  wrong  he 
had  done. 

It  is  very  plain  from  the  proceedings  of  the  trial  which  have  been  handed  down  to  us 
that  Mr.  Sitgreaves  deeply  realized  the  gravity  of  the  case.  It  was  already  the  second 
insurredlion  in  the  one  State  of  Pennsylvania  alone.  The  general  government  had  been 
but  lately  inaugurated ;  and  by  slow  and  painful  steps  was  it  rising  to  a  place  among  the 
family  of  nations.  But  the  power  of  self-protec?i;ion,  of  subduing  insurrection  at  home, 
was  of  the  very  first  importance,  and  the  argument  of  Mr.  Sitgreaves  shows  how  thoroughly 
he  comprehended  the  tremendous  responsibilities  then  cast  upon  him,  and  how  well  his 
duties  were  performed. 

Fries  was  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  death  by  Judge  Chase,  who  had  presided  at 
the  trial ;  but  through  the  clemency  of  the  National  Executive  he  was  finally  pardoned. 
The  labors  of  Mr.  Sitgreaves  may  be  better  understood,  when  we  add  that  at  the  time  of 
this  trial  he  held  his  appointment  as  a  member  of  the  commission,  under  Jay's  Treaty, 
as  before  referred  to. 

He  returned  to  Easton  in  1802,  and  thereafter  was  its  most  prominent  citizen,  first 
in  every  good  work.  In  the  Act  of  September  23,  1789,  incorporating  the  Borough  of 
Easton,  he  was  named  as  "  Town  Clerk;"  and  it  was  drawn  by  him.  He  was  also  one  of 
the  orignal  members  of  the  Delaware  Bridge  Company,  wrote  the  act  of  incorporation, 
and,  for  many  years,  was  secretary  and  treasurer.  Most  of  the  stock  certificates,  the 
originals  of  which,  with  the  transfers  of  the  intermediate  holders,  are  yet  in  existence,  in 
the  hands  of  the  present  owners,  were  signed  by  him.  He  was  also  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Easton  Library,  and  of  the  Easton  Bible  Society. 

After  his  return  to  Easton,  he  gave  his  attention  mainly  to  the  practice  of  the  law. 
He  became  a  leader  at  the  bar  throughout  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  He  was  then  in  the 
prime  of  his  mental  and  physical  powers,  of  splendid  personal  presence,  of  most  dignified 


152  THE   HISTORY  OF 

yet  courteous  manners.  He  made  the  most  exaft  preparation  for  the  trial  of  the  cases  in 
which  he  was  concerned,  and  most  careful  briefs,  not  only  of  the  law,  but  of  the  facts. 
His  manner  before  the  coiirt  and  jury  was  respedlful,  grave  and  impressive.  His  pradlice 
became  very  large,  and  so  continued  to  the  end  of  his  life. 

In  his  dav,  Easton  was  the  business  centre  of  a  ven,'  large  extent  of  country,  reaching 
to  the  New  York  line  on  the  north  and  the  Susquehanna  on  the  west.  Turnpikes  were 
the  sole  means  of  communication  and  transportation.  Mr.  Sitgreaves  took  great  interest 
in  their  support  and  management,  especially  in  "The  Easton  and  Wilkes-Barre  Turn- 
pike." From  the  year  1816  to  1827,  ^^  ^'^'^  the  president  of  the  Easton  bank  ;  and  by 
his  financial  skill  and  watchful  care  did  much  to  establish  its  reputation  and  to  give  to 
it  that  large  share  of  public  confidence  which  it  has  for  so  many  years  enjoyed. 

His  was  an  acftive,  busy  life  ;  yet  withal,  was  his  home  the  centre  of  a  most  generous 
hospitality.  His  garden  was  an  attracftion  to  all  who  visited  the  town.  It  extended  from 
Spring  Garden  to  Bushkill,  and  from  North  Third  to  North  Second  street.  It  was  filled 
with  flowering  trees  and  shrubs,  and  its  borders  contained  most  of  the  rare  roses  and 
flowers  to  be  found  in  England  and  this  country.  He  was  the  soul  of  honor,  possessed  of 
the  strictest  integrity,  and  his  word  was  ever  as  his  bond.  In  his  professional  capacity  he 
was  as  remarkable  as  a  sound  and  safe  counselor,  as  he  was  fertile  of  expedient,  adroit  in 
management,  profound  in  law  learning,  and  eloquent  in  advocacy.  Beyond  question,  was 
he  in  the  front  rank  of  the  advocates  of  his  time.  His  study  of  the  great  orators  of 
antiquity,  with  whose  writings  he  was  familiar,  his  acquaintance  with  the  best  writers  of 
modern  times  and  his  practical  opportimities  of  hearing  the  most  cultivated  statesmen 
both  of  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  uniting  with  his  own  native  genius,  invested 
him  with  a  superior  and  powerful  eloquence,  rarely  exceeded,  in  this  country. 

"He  was  a  scholar,  and  a  ripe  ami  good  one, 
Exceeding  wise,  fair  spoken  and  persuading ; 
Lofty  and  stem  to  them  that  loved  him  not. 
But  to  the  men  that  sought  him,  sweet  as  summer." 

He  was  the  founder  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  of  Easton.  The  regular 
services  were  first  held  at  his  own  house  at  the  comer  of  North  Third  and  Spring  Garden 
streets,  and  were  condudled  by  himself  and  Mr.  John  Dolby,  for  more  than  one  year, 
when  Rev.  John  Rodney,  deacon,  was  sent  here  by  the  Society  for  the  Advancement  of 
Christianity  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Sitgreaves  gave  the  church  site.  When  in  England, 
he  drew  the  model  of  a  rural  parish  church  and  brought  it  with  him  on  his  return.  The 
first  church  was  built  after  this  plan,  and  was  often  called  the  "White  Church,"  as  its 
walls  were  of  snowy  whiteness,  which  in  summer  time,  were  beautifully  contrasted  with 
the  foliage  of  the  surrounding  trees.  It  was  the  child  of  his  aflfedlion,  the  objedl  of  his 
care  and  his  prayers.  He  was  most  faithful  to  his  church,  throughout  his  eventful  life. 
He  was  never  "ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,"  for  he  held  it  to  be  "the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  unto  every  one  that  believeth." 

He  was  acftive  in  his  professional  pursuits  until  the  year  1826,  when  his  health  began 
visibly  to  decline.  He  died  April  4,  1827,  aged  but  sixty-four  years,  and  was  buried  in 
the  church-yard,  near  the  church  he  loved  so  well,  which  has  been,  for  so  many  years,  liis 
memorial  and  his  monument. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  153 

If,  after  contemplating  the  splendid  parts  of  his  public  and  professional  charader,  we 
shall  inquire  for  the  milder  virtues  of  humanity,  we  shall  find  the  beneficent  and  social 
qualities  of  private  life,  through  all  its  forms  and  combinations,  so  happily  blended  with 
stridl  integrity  and  sincere  piety,  that,  in  the  fullest  measure,  he  may  be  said  to  have 
been  great  and  good  ;  with  all 

"The  elements 
So  mixed  in  him,  that  nature  might  stand  up, 
And  say  to  all  the  world,  this  was  a  man." 


Note.— Rev.  John  Rodney  died  at  Germantown,  Pa.,  September  28,  1886.  He  was  a  member  of  the  family 
of  Hon.  Caesar  Rodney,  of  Delaware,  who  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  Council  of  Safety  and  Committee  of 
Inspedlion,  of  that  State,  before  and  during  the  Revolution  ;  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence ; 
member  of  the  Continental  Congress  from  September  15,  1774,  and  a  Brigadier  General  in  the  Revolutionary 
Army. 

Rev.  John  Rodney  was  born  August  26,  1796,  and  was  graduated  at  the  college  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton, 
in  1816,  being  at  the  time  of  his  death  the  oldest  graduate  of  that  institution  and  the  oldest  clergyman  in 
order  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States.  Soon  after  his  ordination  by  Bishop  White,  he 
became  the  first  rector  of  the  church  at  Easton,  where  he  remained  till  the  year  1S25,  when  he  was  called  to 
the  rectorship  of  St.  Luke's,  at  Germantown,  which  he  held  more  than  three-score  years. 

He  has  left  a  most  exceptional  record  in  his  long,  successful  and  continued  ser\'ice  in  one  community, 
ministering  to  three  successive  generations  with  great  acceptance,  winning,  and  retaining  to  the  last,  the  love, 
respedl  and  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him. 


THE  HAY  FAMILY. 

Malcolm  Hay,  the  father  of  Melchoir  Hay,  was  born  in  Scotland.  Political  reverses 
led  him  to  Germany,  where,  after  serving  with  honor  in  the  military  duties  in  his  adopted 
country,  he  married  a  German  woman,  and  settled  at  Zwei-Breucken,  Bavaria.  The  name 
Melchoir  coupled  with  the  name  Hay  indicated  the  mingling  of  the  blood  of  the  Scotch 
and  German  nationalities.  Melchoir  Hay  came  to  America  with  his  two  brothers  in  1738, 
one  year  before  David  Martin  built  his  Ferry  House  at  the  "Point."  He  settled  on  the 
land  where  South  Easton  is  built.  He  assisted  Messrs.  Parsons  and  Scull  in  surveying 
and  laying  out  the  town  of  Easton  in  1750,  and  thus  early  took  an  interest  in  the  begin- 
ning of  Easton  life.  In  1771,  he  purchased  a  tra<ft  of  land,  consisting  of  twenty-six  acres, 
of  Israel  Morris,  of  Philadelphia.  The  same  year  he  bought  from  Peter  Rush  and  wife 
another  tra<ft  of  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres  ;  and  we  learn  from  the  county  records 
that  there  were  six  acres  allowed  for  roads.  This  tra<?t  was  a  part  of  ten  thou.sand  acres 
bought  of  William  Penn.  The  deed  to  Melchoir  Hay  is  dated  August  9,  1771  ;  the  land 
embraced  in  the  deeds  being  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Lehigh  river.  Many  who 
bought  land  of  the  Proprietaries  in  those  days  bought  subject  to  "quit  rents;"  but  in  the 
column  opposite  the  assessment  of  Mr.  Hay's  property  are  the  words  "no  quit,"  showing 
that  he  bought  the  property  in  fee  simple.  This  land  was  sold  by  Mr.  Hay  in  1796,  to 
Jacob  Eyerley,  of  Nazareth,  who,  in  1798,  sold  it  to  Henry  Snyder,  of  Easton,  for  $2133.33. 
The  land  was  used  for  farming  purposes  until  the  completion  of  the  Lehigh  Canal,  and 


154  THE    HISTORY  OF 

the  upper  portion  is  still  used  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Hay  donated  a  large  lot  and  burying 
ground  to  the  church,  which  still  bear  the  names  "Hay's  Chapel"  and  "Hay's  Burying 
Ground."  Melchoir  Hay  took  an  adlive  part  in  the  tr>'ing  struggle  of  the  Revolution, 
and  was  elecfted  among  the  first  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  was  one  of  its 
efficient  members.  He  was  captain  of  the  company  raised  in  Williams  township.  This 
company  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  four  men.  Many  of  his  descendants  served  with 
distindlion  in  the  war  of  1812,  the  Mexican  war,  and  the  late  civil  war.  The  patriotic 
spirit  of  1776  still  lives  in  the  hearts  of  his  children.  After  the  close  of  the  Revolution, 
Melchoir  Hay,  having  sold  his  South  Easton  property,  bought  a  large  fann  about  three 
miles  west  of  Easton,  in  the  locality  called  the  "Drylands,"  where  he  and  his  descendants 
have  tilled  the  soil  for  generations.  A  great  deal  of  this  property  is  still  held  by  his  grand 
and  great-grand  sons.  Melchoir  Hay  had  a  son  named  after  himself.  This  second  Melchoir 
was  the  father  of  Abraham  Horn  Hay,  Peter  Hay,  George  Hay,  Melchoir  Hay,  Charles 
Hay,  and  John  Hay.  Abraham  Horn  Hay  was  the  father  of  Jacob  Hay,  the  late  Andrew 
J.  Hay,  Thomas  J.  Hay,  and  Peter  Hay,  all  of  Easton. 

Jacob  Hay  is  one  of  Easton's  most  successful  merchants ;  is  at  the  head  of  the  large 
wholesale  dry  goods  house  of  Hay  &  Sons,  situated  in  Hay's  Place,  and  Hapgood,  Hay  &  Co. ' s 
wholesale  boot  and  shoe  house,  339  Northampton  street.  In  1854  he  married  a  daughter 
of  the  late  Alexander  Wilson,  Sr.,  who  was  a  fitting  representative  of  that  sturdy  race  of 
Scotch-Irishmen  who  have  indelibly  put  their  impress  upon  the  affairs  of  our  Common- 
wealth. Jacob  Hay  has  four  children  :  Thomas  A.  H.  Hay,  who  married  Helen,  elder 
daughter  of  Brig.  General  Thomas  H.  Ruger,  U.  S.  A.,  and  who  has  three  children, 
Helen,  Anna,  and  Ruger  Wilson  Hay ;  Annie  W.  Hay,  who  is  married  to  Hon.  Asa  W. 
Dickinson,  Collector  of  the  Port  of  Jersey  City,  N.  J. ;  Ida  Wilson  Hay,  and  William  O. 
Hay.  The  laudable  desire  to  be  land  owners  is  just  as  adlive  in  the  hearts  of  the  Hays  of 
the  present  day  as  in  the  heart  of  the  founder  of  the  family  one  hundred  years  ago.  Jacob, 
the  great-grand  son  of  the  first  Melchoir  Hay,  is  a  large  owner  of  real  estate  in  Easton, 
and  has  great  faith  in  the  future  expansion  of  our  town.  He  has  done  more  than  any  one 
man  to  beautify  and  improve  the  north  western  section,  and  enhance  its  value  b)'  exten- 
sive purchases  of  land,  laying  out  and  grading  streets,  and  preparing  a  large  tra(5l  for 
building  purposes.  He  began  in  1871,  just  one  hundred  years  after  his  great-grand- 
father purchased  the  large  tradi  in  what  is  now  South  Easton,  to  buy  lands  west  of 
Twelfth  street  and  north  of  Northampton  street.  He  purchased  twelve  trails,  comprising 
one  hundred  acres — a  part  within  and  a  part  outside  of  the  town  limits.  His  objetl;  in  buy- 
ing this  land  was  to  beautify  and  adorn  it,  and  set  it  apart  as  a  place  for  suburban  residences 
of  a  high  order,  for  himself  and  family  and  friends.  In  the  locality  of  Easton,  teeming 
with  beautiful  sites,  this  seems  the  only  place  set  apart  and  dedicated  to  this  purpose  on 
so  large  a  scale.  The  tradl  extends  from  Twelfth  to  Seventeenth  streets,  and  from  North- 
ampton to  Wood  streets.  On  this  land  Mr.  Hay  has  spent  annually  large  sums  in 
grading  and  embellishing.  Fourteenth  street,  near  the  centre  of  his  land,  is  a  veritable 
park,  adorned  with  elegant  villas,  lined  with  beautiful  shade  trees  and  shrubbery,  and 
accessible  by  handsome  drives.  In  1871  he  erecfted  the  first  house  on  this  property 
at  a  cost  of  $25,000,  on  the  block  bounded  by  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets.  Bush- 
kill  and  Wood.  In  1881  this  house  was  consumed  by  fire,  the  family  narrowly  escap- 
ing death.     We  append  an  excellent  picture  of  the  house  thus  burned.     A  few  years  later 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


^55 


Messrs.  William  Laubach  and  Floyd  S.  Bixler,  built  handsome  residences  on  Fourteenth 
street.  Captain  Hay  has  always  evinced  a  spirit  of  enterprise  and  liberality  in  our  town 
affairs,  which  might  well  be  emulated  by  others.  He  gave  the  entire  ground  covered  by 
Fourteenth  street,  from  Northampton  to  Wood  streets,  to  the  public,  although  it  cost  him 
two  thousand  dollars.  He  then  curbed  and  paved  it  in  a  most  substantial  manner,  at 
an  expense  of  many  thousand  dollars,  and  planted  trees,  making  it  the  handsomest  residence 
avenue  in  Easton.  He  has  since  laid  out  and  macadamized  private  drives  and  walks 
at  a  great  outlay  of  money,  in  which  the  public  share  the  benefit  and  pleasure  without 


FIRST    HOUSE    ERECTED    ON    NORTH    FOURTEENTH    STREET,  EASTON— RESIDENCE  OF 
CAPT.  JACOB    HAY — DESTROYED    BY    FIRE  JANUARY   29TH,   1881  . 


cost.  Mr.  Hay  has  expended  in  the  Seventh  Ward  about  $100,000  in  lands  and  improve- 
ments. A  little  fa<?t,  unknown  to  most  of  our  people,  will  more  fully  illustrate  the  magni- 
tude of  his  improvements,  and  others  whom  his  enterprise  has  attra(5led  to  this  locality. 
In  1871  the  total  taxes  of  that  particular  portion  of  the  town  were  fourteen  dollars ;  now 
they  are  over  sixteen  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  This  quite  clearly  shows  the  benefits 
do  not  all  accrue  to  himself,  but  the  public  shares  in  the  profit  arising  from  the  invest- 
ment. After  the  destrudlion  of  his  handsome  house  in  1881  he  purchased  the  house  of 
Mr.  Floyd  S.  Bixler,  which  he  enlarged  and  improved.  Major  Thomas  L.  McKeen  has 
since  built  an  elegant  home  on  the  site  of  Mr.  Hay's  original  house.  Mr.  Herman 
Simon,  our  enterprising  and  successful  silk  manufacturer,  has  since  built  a  beautiful  home 


156  THE    HISTORY  OF 

adjoining  Major  McKeen's,  which  is  also  a  handsome  home.  Another  fine  dwelling 
has  been  erecfted  by  Mr.  William  Gould  Heller  immediately  opposite.  Mr.  C.  ]M.  Hapgood 
is  now  engaged  in  building  the  largest  and  most  costly  residence  in  the  neighborhood,  at 
the  corner  of  Northampton  and  Fourteenth  streets. 

When  Captain  Hay  began  his  enterprise  it  seemed  far  out  of  town.  People  had  been 
accustomed  to  look  upon  Easton  as  mainly  centering  at  the  Circle,  and  were  not  prepared 
to  witness  the  rapid  growth  of  that  portion  of  the  town  in  the  last  few  years.  The  suspen- 
sion bridge  has  brought  South  Easton  and  West  Easton  into  close  relation,  which  will  also 
aid  its  growth.  The  new  railroad  to  come  down  the  Bushkill  will  also  add  impetus  to  the 
growth  of  this  part  of  the  town.  This  beautiful  locality,  of  which  Captain  Hay  has  been  the 
pioneer,  will  soon  be  occupied  by  a  busy  population.  Easton  seems  to  have  started  upon  a 
new  period  of  her  growth,  and  at  the  only  point  where  growth  is  possible.  Business 
cannot  always  be  confined  in  its  present  boundaries,  but  will  follow  the  population 
westward. 


THE  GREEN   FAMILY. 

William  Green  <'\  ancestor  of  the  families  of  that  name  in  this  region,  dissatisfied 
with  some  new  relation  in  his  father's  family,  left  his  native  land,  England,  at  the  early 
age  of  twenty,  and  landed  at  the  port  of  Philadelphia.  Soon  after,  desirous  of  returning, 
and  finding  no  vessel  about  to  sail  from  that  port,  he  went  to  New  York,  but  not  meeting 
with  an  opportunity  immediately,  visited  Long  Island.  He  there  became  acquainted  with 
the  family  of  John  Reeder,  recently  arrived  from  England,  whose  sister,  or  daughter, 
Joanna,  in  process  of  time,  he  married,  and  removed  to  Ewing  township,  about  1700. 
He  purchased  three  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  of  Colonel  Daniel  Coxe,  the  deed  bearing 
date  1712,  and  on  it  eredled  the  first  brick  house  in  the  township,  which  is  still  standing, 
having  on  the  west  end  the  date  171 7,  and  is  owned  and  occupied  by  his  descendant  of 
the  fifth  generation,  Henry  Green.  His  qualities  were  such  as  to  give  him  distinction, 
for  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  first  judges  of  Hunterdon  county,  and  from  the  frequent 
mention  of  his  name  in  public  affairs  and  important  business  transactions,  he  was  evidently 
a  prominent  and  useful  citizen.  His  children  were:  Richard'^';  Joseph (^i;  William *^'; 
Benjamin's);  John;  Jeremiah,  who  removed  to  North  Carolina;  Isaac,  married,  and 
removed  to  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  where  his  descendants  are  to  be  found  ;  Joanna,  Sarah, 
Esther,  and  Mary.  Of  the  daughters,  there  is  no  record.  He  died,  as  is  indicated  by 
his  antique  tombstone  in  the  Ewing  church-yard,  in  1722. 

Richard'"',  son  of  William'"',  who  died  1741,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Ely, 
of  Trenton,  and  had  children:  Richard'*';  George''"';  Rebecca,  wife  of  Samuel  IMoore ; 
Christiana,  wife  of  Joseph  Moore ;  and  William,  who  died  1754,  probably  unmarried,  or 
without  children,  as  he  leaves  his  property  to  his  brother  Richard,  ;,^30o  to  his  eldest 
sister's  three  sons,  Richard,  William,  and  Elijah  Moore;  a  legacy  to  his  youngest  sister's 
three  sons,  Ely,  Moses,  and  Ephraim  Moore  ;  also  to  his  mother,  Mar\- ;  and  his  plantation 
to  his  brother  George,  when  19. 

Richard''',  son  of  Richard'-',  who  died  1797,  married  Phebe,  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Moore,  whose  children  were:  William  R.,  Nathaniel,  Richard,  Enoch,  John,  Samuel,  not 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  157 

married,  Benjamin,  Joseph,  George,  Rebecca,  wife  of  William  B.  Green,  Sarah,  wife  of 
Samuel  Moore,  and  Mary,  married  Daniel  Stillwell,  and  went  to  Ohio. 

Richard <'°>,  son  of  Richard'^',  married,  first,  Martha,  daughter  of  Christopher  Howell, 
by  whom  he  had  a  daughter,  Martha,  wife  of  Charles  Reeder.  By  his  second  wife  he  had  : 
Ely,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  and  perhaps  others.     He  lived  in  Pennsylvania. 

John<"\  son  of  Richard <«',  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Easton,  Pa.,  died  March  9,  1854, 
aged  88,  having  married  Rhoda,  daughter  of  Daniel  Howell,  who  died  September  19, 
1859,  aged  73.  Their  children  are :  Enoch  ;  Charles,  married  first,  Elizabeth  Maxwell ; 
second,  Mrs.  Latimer ;  Richard,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Samuel  Sherrod,  of  Wash- 
ington, N.  J. ;  William,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  David  Deshler,  and  Lydia. 

Enoch <^''\  son  of  John*'"',  married,  first,  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Beidelnian,  and 
had  children :  Ellen,  wife  of  Whitfield  S.  Johnson,  a  lawyer  of  Sussex,  and  for  several 
years  Secretary  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  whose  children  are :  William  M. ,  a  lawyer  of 
Hackensack,  Mary  M.,  Emily  E.,  Laura  C,  Elizabeth  B.,  Margaret  G.,  and  Ellen  Green ; 
George  B. ,  married  Ann  Disbrow,  resides  in  Jersey  City  ;  Mary,  wife  of  George  Woodruff, 
merchant  of  New  York  ;  John,  Joseph  ;  Henr>',  a  graduate  of  Lafayette  College,  a  lawyer 
of  Easton  and  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  married  Ann  Hulsizer,  of  Easton,  has  chil- 
dren :  Caroline,  wife  of  Hiram  Howland,  of  Indianapolis,  Frances,  wife  of  Henry  E. 
Potter,  of  Orange,  N.  J.,  Frederic,  and  Ada;  and  Margaret,  married  Henry  Johnson,  a 
lawyer  of  Muncy,  Pa.     Married,  second,  Catharine  Teneyck,  of  Princeton. 

William *"5)^  son  of  John''"*,  married,  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Beidelman ; 
and,  second,  Jane  Sherrard,  and  had  children  :  Sarah,  wife  of  Rev.  John  Kugler,  of  War- 
ren, N.  J. ;  Theodore,  married  Miss  Kinsey ;  Frank,  John,  Louisa ;  Mary  married  Rev. 
William  Thompson,  of  Stewartsville,  N.  J. ;  Howard,  Miriam,  and  Emily. 

Benjamin <'3)^  son  of  Richard**',  removed  to  Easton,  Pa.;  died  1852,  aged  82,  having 
married  there,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Robert  Traill,  a  lawyer,  and  by  her  had  children : 
John,  Traill ;  Robert  Traill,  married  Catharine  Van  Camp  ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Stewart, 
of  Greenwich,  N.  J. ;  and  Maria,  wife  of  Enoch  Clark,  of  Monroe  county,  Pa. 

Dr.  Traill *"7',  son  of  Benjamin  f'^',  a  physician,  honored  with  the  degree  of  LL.  D., 
professor  of  chemistry  in  Lafayette  College,  and  the  liberal  donor  of  funds  to  that  college 
to  establish  an  observatory.  He  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Loammi  Moore,  of  Morris- 
town,  and  has  children :  Ella,  Frances,  and  Edgar  Moore.  Edgar  Moore  Green  recently 
graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class,  and  is 
now  pradlicing  medicine  with  his  father  in  Easton,  Pa.  His  daughter  Ella  is  married 
to  Dr.  Charles  Mclntire,  of  Easton. 

Prof  William  Henr)'*3''',  son  of  George  S.  <3°),  was  born  in  Groveville,  N.  J.,  January 
27,  1825;  graduated  at  Lafayette  College,  Pa.,  1840;  studied  theology  in  the  Princeton 
Seminary  ;  was  for  three  years  assistant  teacher  of  Hebrew  there ;  was  pastor  of  the  Cen- 
tral Church,  Philadelphia  ;  thence  he  was  called,  in  1851,  to  be  a  professor  in  the  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  where  he  now  is.  Among  his  publications  are,  a  Hebrew  Gram- 
mar and  Chrestomathy,  a  Commentary  on  Job,  a  Vindication  of  the  Pentateuch,  from 
Colenso's  Aspersions.  He  married,  first,  Mary  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Stephen  Colwell, 
of  Philadelphia,  who  died  March  29,  1854,  aged  26;  second,  Elizabeth  Hayes.  Their 
children  are :  Mary  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Libbey  ;  and  Helen  Hayes. 


OLD   HOTELS   OF   EASTON. 


Important  Factors  to  Business— The  Remark  of  Thomas  McElrath— The  Hotel  at  the  Point— The  Old  Mora- 
\-ian  Building— Bull's  Head,  its  History— White  Horse  Hotel— Black  Horse  Hotel— White's  Hotel :  Chippy 
\\Tiite — Holiday  Life  at  the  Hotels ;  Best  Man  ;  How  Settled— Old  Hotel  Buildings  that  Remain. 


E  TAKE  the  following  from  a  journal  of  Frederick  Push,  a  botanist,  who 
traveled  through  the  countn.-  in  the  interest  of  science  :  "May  27,  1807 — at 
four  o'clock  this  morning,  we  left  Philadelphia,  the  stage  being  remarkably 
full  of  passengers  and  goods,  which  made  it  very  disagreeable  traveling  ;  the 
road  about  twenty-five  miles  from  the  city  got  very  bad  and  hilly  ;  w^e  broke 
down  the  stage  twice,  but  luckily  without  any  injur)'  to  us ;  arrived  at  10 
o'clock  at  Easton  ;  took  up  lodging  at  Abraham  Horn's,  sign  of  the  Golden 
Swan."  This  was  seventy-nine  years  ago,  and  the  Swan  Hotel  remains, 
though  the  golden  sign  has  disappeared.  This  will  give  us  some  idea  of 
traveling  in  those  days.  The  hotels  of  Easton  have  always  been  an  impor- 
tant fa<5lor  in  the  business  of  the  town.  The  Durham  boats  early  became 
a  means  of  transportation  for  all  kinds  of  farm  produ(?ts,  and  attra6ted  farmers  from  a  large 
region  to  Easton  as  the  best  market  they  could  find.  While  riding  quite  recently  on  the 
Central  road  of  New  Jersey  the  author  met  with  Mr.  Thomas  ^IcElrath,  one  of  the 
original  founders  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  who  said:  "When  I  was  a  boy  I  lived  in 
Williamsport,  and  the  farmers  of  that  region  brought  their  grain  to  Easton  and  sent  it  to 
Philadelphia  in  the  Durham  boats."  This  is  a  distance  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  and 
shows  how  difficult  it  was  in  those  days  to  obtain  money.  Many  an  old  farmer  could  say 
with  the  Apostle  Peter,  ^^  Argcutuui  cf  aiiriim  uon  est  miki,'^  and  they  were  willing  to  drag 
their  produces  through  snow  drifts  in  mid-winter  and  spend  half  of  the  value  of  their  load 
to  convert  the  remainder  into  money.  The  farmers  came  from  far  up  the  North  and 
West  Branches  of  the  Susquehanna,  making  an  area  of  nearly  half  the  State,  having 
Easton  for  a  market.  This  necessitated  good  hotels  to  accommodate  the  sturdy  farmers 
from  far  and  near. 

The  first  hotel  established  was  that  of  Craig  S:  Anderson,  next  to  the  jail  lot,  fronting 
the  Square,  which  obtained  a  license  at  the  first  session  of  the  court  in  1752.  This  house  a 
few  years  after  came  into  the  possession  of  Christian  Rinker,  who  for  main-  \ears  was  the 
landlord.     Of  its  histor)-  these  fafts  only  remain. 

The  second  hotel  was  at  the  Point.  The  landlord  was  Nathaniel  Vernon.  David 
Martin  had  passed  away.  During  his  occupancy  of  the  log  ferr^'  house  it  was  used  for 
no  other  purpose,  and  only  became  an  inn  after  the  establishment  of  the  county  and  laying 
out  of  Easton.  The  license  was  first  refused  and  afterwards  granted.  There  is  not  a 
hotel  in  the  State  which  has  so  strange  a  history  as  the  first  log  house  of  Easton.  The 
travel  to  and  from  New  Jersey  for  a  large  region  passed  over  this  fern-.  It  was  sufficiently 
large  as  a  ferry  house,  but  when  it  rose  to  the  dignity  of  a  hotel  it  must  be  enlarged,  and 
this   was    accomplished    by    the    adding    of   sheds    to    the    .sides,    thus    making   it   great 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  159 

enough  to  contain  the  gatherings  when  the  Indian  treaties  were  made  here.  The  ferry 
was  used  for  sixty-six  years,  until  the  bridge  at  the  foot  of  Northampton  street  was  com- 
pleted in  1805.  All  the  treaties  spoken  of  in  the  early  part  of  this  work  were  concluded 
at  this  historic  spot,  and  centered  in  and  around  this  simple  log  stru6lure.  The  influence 
of  these  great  treaty  gatherings  annoyed  the  French  and  gave  great  aid  to  the  Eng- 
lish while  these  nations  were  waging  a  fierce  and  bloody  war  for  the  mastery  of  a  conti- 
nent. Had  the  nineteen  Indian  tribes  which  these  treaties  combined  and  turned  against 
the  French  been  marshalled  against  the  English,  the  result  might  have  been  a  French 
instead  of  an  English  victory.  A  deep  interest  was  felt  and  a  keen  watch  was  kept  in 
Paris  and  London  while  these  fierce  nations  were  gathering  at  the  Point.  Had  a  building 
like  the  United  States  Hotel,  on  Third  street,  occupied  the  position,  it  would  have  been 
more  in  keeping  with  the  august  gatherings,  led  on  by  the  Governors  of  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey,  and  Kings  Teedyuscung,  Beaver,  and  Paximora,  skilled  in  savage  war- 
fare. There  is  no  other  building  in  the  past  history  of  Easton  around  which  cluster  so 
many  associations.  How  long  it  lasted,  or  when  it  disappeared,  history  does  not  inform 
us.  But  as  the  business  increased  the  venerable  old  building,  whose  walls  had  echoed 
to  the  eloquence  of  Teedyuscung  and  the  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations,  became  affedled  with  age 
and  gave  place  to  another,  still  standing  at  the  Point.  The  building  is  owned  by  Mr.  William 
H.  Hazzard,  and  is  the  second  building  from  the  corner.  It  is  built  of  massive  logs  and 
seems  strong  enough  to  have  withstood  the  battering  rams  of  Alexander's  army.  The  great 
logs  have  been  smoothed  off  and  washboards  nailed  upon  them.  One  log  is  still  seen  pro- 
truding above  the  plastering.  The  old  building  is  so  strongly  built  that  nothing  but  fire 
can  destroy  it.  Its  old  chimney  might  have  answered  well  for  a  tower  of  an  ancient  city. 
Its  walls,  doors  and  windows  remind  one  of  ante-revolutionary  days.  It  has  been  said 
by  some  that  Washington  was  in  Easton  but  once ;  but  I  have  it  from  a  member  of  the 
Abel  family  that  Squire  Jacob  Abel  ferried  General  Washington  across  the  Delaware  at  the 
Point,  and  that  he  lodged  in  the  upper  room  of  this  second  hotel  building.  One  of  the 
grand  children  told  the  author  that  the  General  was  watched  by  tories  and  spies,  and 
hence  he  tried  to  escape  observation.  When  the  great  bridge  over  the  Delaware  was  com- 
pleted the  ferry  ceased  to  be  used,  but  the  Durham  boats  maintained  a  large  commerce  on 
the  river,  and  their  place  of  shipment  was  on  the  bank,  from  the  Point  to  Christian  Butz's 
storehouse,  above  the  bridge.  The  boatmen  made  the  hotel  their  temporary  residence, 
and  the  imagination  need  not  be  greatly  strained  to  get  a  glimpse  of  many  a  boisterous 
and  jolly  time.  The  boats  would  be  fastened  along  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  and  in  the 
mouth  of  the  Lehigh,  while  these  "river  marines"  were  making  merry  at  the  inns  of 
Jacob  Abel  and  John  Nicholas.  The  house  occupied  by  Mr.  Hazzard  was  built  subse- 
quently to  the  house  adjoining  and  became  a  much  more  pretentious  hotel.  In  those  days 
there  was  no  partition  dividing  the  hall  from  the  front  room.  The  front  door  opened  into 
the  large  room  and  large  folding  doors  separated  this  room  from  the  bar-room.  In  the 
northeast  corner  of  this  room,  enclosed  by  a  circular  front,  stood  the  bar.  The  floor  was 
always  ready  for  the  "tripping  of  the  light  fantastic  toe."  Two  or  three  times  a  week 
the  merrs'  dancers  would  come  and  remain  till  the  rising  of  the  morning  star  told  them  it 
was  time  to  go  home.  An  old  lady  now  ninety  years  of  age  remarked  to  the  author : 
"This  was  the  place  for  frolics."  The  young  farmers  would  come  with  their  sweet-hearts 
and  engage  in  "running  the  ring  and  tracing  the  mazy  round."     An  old  citizen  describing 


i6o  THE    HISTORY  OF 

to  the  author  these  "old  times,"  sadly  remarked:  "Yes,  those  were  pleasant  days. 
There  was  not  so  much  distindlion  in  society  then  as  now.  Working  girls  and  daughters 
of  wealthy  parents  would  dance  side  by  side.  There  were  no  big-bugs  or  little-bugs,  but 
all  stood  nearly  on  a  common  level. ' '  These  old  houses  have  marvelous  stories  told  of  their 
past  history.  ' '  A  young  girl  was  stolen  from  the  room  where  Washington  slept  in  the  old 
house  ;  has  never  been  heard  from  since,  and  the  old  house  has  always  been  haunted.  If 
some  young  people  will  look  up  the  old  stairway  into  the  dark  attic  the}'  would  not  ven- 
ture into  the  darkness  for  fear  of  seeing  more  ghosts  than  one."  "O,  Mrs.  Hazzard,"  said  a 
old  lady,  "if  you  knew  the  deeds  that  have  been  done  in  this  place  you  would  not  live 
here."  The  times  have  changed.  The  recolledlions  of  the  past  can  be  preserved  only 
by  the  historian.  The  Point  was  the  scene  of  activity  and  life  until  the  construdlion  of 
canals  and  railroads.  The  boats  have  been  cut  into  fire  wood,  the  hotels  turned  into 
dwellings.  It  will  be  difficult  to  find  a  more  beautiful  spot  than  the  veranda  of  this  now 
neat  and  comfortable  house.  Names  intimately  connedled  with  the  history  of  these 
famous  hotels  are  David  Martin,  Nathaniel  Vernon,  Daniel  Brodhead,  Lewis  Gordon, 
John  Green,  and  Jacob  Abel. 

There  was  formerly  an  old  hotel  standing  on  the  west  side  of  South  Third  street,  on 
the  corner  of  an  alley  below  Ferrj'.  This  was  called  the  Washington  Hotel,  and  it  has 
an  interesting  history.  The  author  has  not  been  able  to  find  any  account  of  it  in  any 
works  he  has  consulted.  There  is  an  allusion  to  the  building  while  in  process  of  eredlion, 
in  the  history  of  the  "Crown  Inn"  of  Bethlehem,  but  it  is  very  brief.  Mr.  Ethan  A. 
Weaver  kindly  consulted  Mr.  Jordan  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  in  regard 
to  the  matter,  and  he  very  generously  examined  old  papers  sent  from  Bethlehem,  with  the 
result  indicated  in  this  narrative.  When  the  old  building  was  torn  down  in  April,  1873, 
the  pastor  of  the  Moravian  Church  came  to  Easton  to  examine  the  comer  stone  in  hope  of 
finding  some  account  of  its  eredlion,  but  nothing  new  was  discovered.  The  following 
letter  from  Mr.  John  W.  Jordan  gives  the  information  which  has  been  sought.  The  letter 
is  addressed  to  Mr.  E.  A.  Weaver,  and  is  as  follows:  "My  dear  sir.  I  took  advantage  of 
yesterday,  there  being  not  many  visitors  here,  to  examine  the  contents  of  several  boxes 
packed  away  since  1879,  and  was  fortunate  enough  to  find  numerous  drafts  of  lands 
belonging  to,  or  adjacent  to,  those  of  the  Moravians  in  Northampton  county.  Among  the 
number — a  draft  of  Easton — the  county  town  of  Northampton,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  of 
the  out-lots  proposed  to  be  laid  out  for  accommodating  the  inhabitants  thereof,  with  the 
ferry  land,  and  other  lands  opposite  to  the  same  town,  surveyed  by  William  Parsons. 
This  draft  also  contains  plan  and  description  of  the  house  and  lots  owned  by  the  Mora- 
vians in  Easton.  I  copy  the  following  from  the  Bethlehem  diaries  and  account  books  : 
'1752,  June  27,  Brother  Horsefield,  who  had  been  commissioned  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
the  new  county  of  Northampton,  went  to  Easton  to  the  first  session  of  the  court  and  took 
up  two  lots  for  us,  situate  on  Ferry  street;  1760,  0(5lober  7,  the  house  and  lot  in  Easton 
staked  off;  preparations  began  to  build  on  the  land,  and  that  a  well  forty  feet  deep  had 
been  dug;  1761,  May  2,  timber  floated  from  Bethlehem  to  Easton  to  build  the  house.' 

"From  the  Cougrcgation  Ledger:  '1760,  November  29,  first  iteni  in  the  account: 
Frederick  Schaus  did  the  mason  work ;  Jacob  Bosch  did  the  carpenter  work  ;  Henry  Als- 
house  the  roofing  with  shingles;  Abraham  Berlin  did  the  blacksmith  work;  1761,  May, 
expenses  at  laying  the  corner  stone,  8s.,  4d.     Jost  Vollert  was  the  agent  of  the  Moravians. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  i6i 

From  November  29,  1760,  to  June,  1762,  there  was  spent  on  the  building /341,  i6s.  and 
I  id.  This  messuage,  together  with  the  two  contiguous  lots  on  which  the  building  stood, 
numbers  121  and  122,  situate  on  Ferry  and  Pomfret  streets,  bought  of  the  proprietors  in 
1757,  at  four  shillings  apiece  ;  and  one  whole  lot  on  the  same  street,  sold  to  the  Easton 
Lutheran  Church  Wardens,  Adam  Yohe,  Conrad  Steuber,  Abraham  Berlin,  and  Valentine 
Opp ;  April  18,  1763,  by  Bishop  Nathaniel  Seidel  for  four  hundred  pounds.  March  16, 
1765,  the  church  wardens  paid  in  full." 

Accompanying  this  letter  is  a  sketch  of  the  building,  as  well  as  a  description.  It  was 
forty  feet  front,  twenty  feet  deep,  and  two-and-a-half  stories  high.  On  the  lower  floor 
were  four  rooms,  and  the  second  story  was  one  entire  hall.  There  were  six  dormer  win- 
dows— five  windows  in  front  of  the  upper  story  and  four  in  the  lower  story,  with  a  large 
double  door  in  the  centre.  This  hotel  was  kept  for  a  time  by  a  Mr.  Bachman,  and  hence 
it  was  sometimes  called  Bachman's  Hotel,  though  its  proper  name  was  the  Washington 
Hotel.  The  building  was  never  occupied  by  the  Moravians.  The  corner  stone  was  not 
laid  till  06lober  8th,  1761,  and  sold  to  the  Lutherans  of  Easton,  April  i8th,  1763.  The 
Lutheran  Church  occupied  it  until  1776,  a  period  of  thirteen  years,  when  they  removed 
to  the  German  Reformed  Church,  Third  street,  which  building  was  ere6led  by  the  two 
congregations  jointly.  The  room  in  the  upper  story  was  used  as  a  drill  room  during  the 
Revolutionary  war.  The  building  was  also  used  for  a  time  as  a  poor  house,  where  the 
poor  of  the  town  and  probably  of  the  surrounding  towns  in  the  county  were  cared  for. 

There  is  a  fine  brick  block  now  standing  in  the  place  of  the  old  strucfture,  owned  by 
Louis  Roesch,  Philip  F.  Stier  and  C.  Kilian's  estate.  The  property  was  purchased  from  Mr. 
Henry  G.  Tombler,  who  bought  it  of  Mr.  Frederick  Lerch  ;  this  gentleman  bought  it  of 
Sheriff  Bachman,  who  purchased  it  of  Jacob  Abel,  who  it  is  supposed  bought  it  from  the 
Lutherans.  What  strange  vicissitudes  this  once  prominent  building  has  passed  through  ! 
Built  by,  and  sancftified  by  the  prayers  of  the  noble  Moravians  of  Bethlehem,  and  after- 
wards dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  by  the  Lutheran  Church  of  Easton.  In  the  first 
story  of  this  old  house  the  first  pastor  of  Easton  resided  and  preached  in  the  large  hall  in 
the  second  floor.  This  pastor  was  Rev.  Bernhard  Michael  Hansihl.  Dr.  Richards  is  of 
the  opinion  that  his  pastorate  lasted  until  1769.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Christian 
Streit.  The  first  Vestr}-,  while  the  Lutheran  Church  worshiped  in  this  old  Moravian 
Temple,  were  Melchoir  Stecker  and  Frederick  Kuhn,  Elders ;  Michael  Lehn,  Frederick 
Gwinner,  Johannes  Ries,  and  Conrad  Ihrie,  Deacons.  When  the  Union  Church  was 
finished  on  Third  street,  this  was  sold,  changed  to  a  hotel  and  continued  as  such  until  1873, 
when  it  was  taken  down  in  the  presence  of  the  pastor  of  the  Moravian  Church  of  Bethle- 
hem, who  was  searching  for  historic  papers  supposed  to  lie  concealed  in  the  corner  stone. 
Thus  has  this  historic  strudlure  passed  away  like  the  generations  who  built  it  and  wor- 
shiped in  it,  who  have  joined 

"The  innumerable  caravan  which  moves 
To  that  mysterious  realm,  where  each  shall  take 
His  chamber  in  the  silent  halls  of  death." 


And  no  doubt  manv  have 


'  By  an  unfalteriuff  trust  approached  their  grave 
Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 


l62 


THE    HISTORY  OF 


The  author  found  an  old  tax  list  of  1817  in  the  hands  of  ]\Ir.  B.  M.  Youells,  from 
which  he  gained  much  knowledge  of  the  hotels  and  landlords  of  that  time. 

At  the  foot  of  South  Third  street,  near  the  Lehigh,  was  a  hotel  kept  by  John  Sletor 
and  aftervvards  by  his  sons,  Thomas  and  John  ;  the  latter  kept  it  until  after  the  Rebellion. 
It  was  at  one  time  the  Ferry  Hotel. 

On  the  southwest  corner  of  Lehigh  and  South  Third  streets  was  a  hotel  kept  by  Wil- 
liam Diehl  and  John  Brotznian.     William  obtained  the  license.     This  William  was  the  son 


view  of  the  union  house,  south  third  street, 
[formerly  the  bull's  head.] 


of  Jacob  Diehl,  the  old  court  crier.  He  afterward  kept  the  Bull's  Head,  and  later  a  hotel 
on  Front  street.  His  occupation  was  a  boatman  on  the  canal,  and  on  the  Delaware  with 
Durham  boats. 

The  Bull's  Head  Hotel  (now  I'uion  House)  is  still  standing  on  South  Tliird  street,  and 
is  at  present  occupied  b\-  Francis  Ward.     It  is  built  of  stone,  having  the  same  surface  appear- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  163 

ance  as  the  old  jail.  It  was  formerly  called  the  Nungesser  Hotel,  from  the  name  of  the 
landlord.  There  is  no  date  when  it  was  built,  but  we  have  learned  from  prominent  citi- 
zens that  it  was  about  or  near  the  time  when  the  first  jail  was  erected.  Frederick  Nungesser 
was  the  great-grandfather  of  the  late  Governor  Reeder.  Hon.  Howard  J.  Reeder,  of  Easton, 
has  now  in  his  possession  the  innkeepers'  license  granted  to  his  great-great-grandfather  by 
Governor  Denny  in  1759.  It  is  justly  prized  as  a  relic.  The  author  has  now  lying  before 
him  a  similar  license  granted  Mr.  Nungesser  by  Governor  Hamilton  in  1760.  The  name 
is  spelled  Nuncaster.  The  document  is  signed  in  a  large  and  beautiful  hand  by  Governor 
Hamilton.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  same  workmen  built  the  Bull's  Head  who  built 
the  first  jail  and  the  old  Moravian  House.  The  old  Parsons  building,  on  the  corner  of 
South  Fourth  and  Ferry  streets,  has  the  same  surface  appearance ;  it  was  finished  in  1757. 
The  Bull's  Head  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  oldest  houses  in  Easton,  built  near  the  time 
of  the  Parsons  mansion.  The  license  thus  signed  by  Governor  Hamilton  is  in  possession 
of  George  I.  Nungesser,  a  great-great-great-grandson  of  Frederick.  The  Bull's  Head  was  a 
noted  place  in  old  times  for  dancing  parties,  especially  during  the  holidays.  It  was  also 
the  locality  for  political  meetings  ;  the  first  Jackson  club  was  formed  in  it.  There  may  be 
some  yet  living  who  remember  when  the  old  Jackson  pole  was  cut  down  that  stood  in  front 
of  the  hotel.  At  a  meeting  of  the  club  a  resolution  was  passed  "to  take  the  tree  down 
and  make  it  into  canes  for  each  member  of  the  club."  The  tree  was  cut  down,  then  the 
club  assembled  in  front,  and  by  the  use  of  hand  spikes  it  was  carried  by  the  members  to 
Fifth  street,  through  Northampton  street,  to  a  place  near  where  the  IvUtheran  Church  now 
stands,  where  Francis  Jackson's  cabinet  warehouse  was  situated.  Major  Straub  and  Samuel 
Horn,  with  fife  and  drum,  led  the  procession.  Here  the  tree  was  worked  into  canes  which 
were  taken  to  the  club  room.  The  club  met  and  each  member  was  presented  with  one. 
After  the  presentation  speech  a  line  was  formed,  and  with  a  band  of  music  at  the  head  the 
members  marched  through  town,  and  closed  with  a  grand  banquet  at  Nubby  Shule's  hotel 
at  the  Point. 

South  of  the  Bull's  Head,  on  the  same  side  of  the  street,  just  below,  was  a  hotel  kept  by 
Jimmie  Hays  of  "Bully  Whack"  memory.  There  are  many  who  will  remember  him  by 
that  name.  This  was  a  place  of  resort  for  old  citizens  to  drink  cider  and  talk  over  the 
events  of  the  day.  The  visitors  were  fond  of  sitting  and  hearing  Jimmie  tell  Irish  stories 
and  see  him  "Bully  Whack"  the  rebellious  customers  out  of  the  house.  His  "Bully 
Whack"  was  a  large  club,  like  an  Irishman's  shillalah.  This  house  is  now  occupied  as  a 
stove  store  by  Mr.  A.  F.  Heller. 

On  South  Sitgreaves  street,  in  the  rear  of  Mr.  James  Young's  coal  yard,  stands  an  old 
building  which,  doubtless,  has  an  interesting  history,  though  little  can  be  learned  concern- 
ing it.  It  is  constructed  of  logs  and  plastered  with  mud  ;  and  were  it  not  weather-boarded 
it  would  appear  the  old  log  Ferry  Tavern  intacft.  For  many  years  it  has  served  as  a 
stable,  and  is  still  used  as  such  by  Mr.  Young.  It  will  repay  the  reader  to  take  a  stroll  in 
that  neighborhood  and  peep  under  the  weather-boards  of  this  building. 

Opposite  the  Bull's  Head,  on  Third  street,  was  a  hotel  kept  by  Peter  Ihrie,  the  father 
of  Anthony  Ihrie.  This  was  called  the  Golden  Lamb.  Peter  kept  this  hotel  thirty  years. 
It  was  afterwards  kept  by  James  Hackett,  the  father  of  William  Hackett,  President  of  the 
Easton  National  Bank.     James  Hackett  moved  to  and  kept  the  Black  Horse  Hotel. 

The  Black  Horse  Hotel  (see  page  146)  was  a  stone  struc^ture  and  stood  where  the 


1 64 


THE    HISTORY  OF 


UNITED  STATES  : 


'THE    ARLINGTON 


present  United  States  Hotel  stands.  It  was  a  famous  resort  for  raftmen  returning  home. 
Mr.  Hackett  was  a  good  hotelkeeper — very  popular, — and  his  house  was  often  crowded. 
He  was  blind  when  he  kept  the  hotel,  and  this  made  him  a  favorite  with  the  raftmen. 
Mr.  Theophilus  Hackett  was  his  clerk,  and  had  charge  of  the  business. 

On  the  north  of,  and  close  to  the  present  Police  Headquarters,  facing  on  the  Square, 
stood  a  hotel  kept  by  a  Mr.  Erb,  and  its  sheds  and  other  outbuildings  extended  from  the 
corner  of  Northampton  street  up  to  near  Bank  street.  Of  its  real  history,  however,  but 
little  could  be  learned.      Later  a  hotel  stood  where  the  Easton  National  Bank  now  stands. 

While  Mr.  Gulick  was  its  landlord,  British  prisoners  were  quartered  in  it  for  a  few 

days.  Mr.  William  White  also  kept  this  hotel,  and  maintained  it  as  such  until  about  the 
year  1814,  when  the  building  having  been  disposed  of  for  the  use  of  a  banking  house, 
Mr.  White  moved  into  the  dwelling  on  the  north  side  of  the  Square,  now  in  the  occu- 
pancy of  the  family  of  the  late  Matthew  Hale  Jones,  Esq. 

The  accommodations  furnished  by  this  building  proving  inadequate  to  the  demands 
of  an   increasing  business,   Mr.  White  erecfted   the  house  in  which   Dr.   .\mos  vSeip  now 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


^65 


resides  as  an  annex  to  his  hotel.  The  lot  on  which  the  latter  bnilding  stands  was  origin- 
ally owned  by  Arnold  Everhart,  father-in-law  of  William  White.  By  referring  to  the  cut 
of  this  part  of  the  Square,  it  will  be  observed  that  the  property  on  the  corner,  now  in  the 
possession  of  the  Jones  family,  was  occupied  by  Mr.  White  as  the  hotel  proper.  The 
adjoining  small  frame  house  was  used  as  a  barber  shop  by  Mr.  Samuel  Finley ;  in  this 
building  B.  M.  Youells  subsequently  acquired  his  skill  in  the  tonsorial  art.  The  double 
two-story  house  in  the  centre  was  used  for  offices,  the  first  story  being  occupied  as  attor- 
neys' offices  by  Richard  Broadhead  and  Washington  McCartney,  Esqrs. ,  and  Jacob  Wey- 
gandt,  Esq.,  J.  P.;  and  the  second  story  by  Dr.  F.  L.  Crane,  dentist,  and  Samuel  Moon, 
artist.  In  this  building  Charles  Getter  was  arraigned  on  the  charge  of  betraying  Margaret 
Lawall,  and  here  he  was  married  by  the  Squire.  In  a  few  weeks  afterwards  he  was  again 
arraigned,  but  under  the  more  serious  charge  of  the  murder  of  her  whom  he  had  so 
recently  married.     Mr.  Theophilus  Hackett  told  the  author  that  he  was  in  Squire  Wey- 


VIEW    OK    THE    ORIGINAL    WHITE  S    HOTEL,    CENTRE    SQUARE. 
[sketch    by    S.    ASHFORD,    LAFAYETTE    COLLEGE.] 

gandt's  office  when  Getter  was  brought  in  a  prisoner.  The  one-story  frame  on  the  east  of 
the  stone  building  was  an  exadl  counterpart  of  that  one  referred  to  as  the  barber  shop. 
This  building  was  used  as  an  office  by  Dr.  Miller,  who  exercised  his  medical  skill,  but 
made  no  charges.  If  his  patients  saw  fit  to  pay  him  anything,  they  did,  and  that  was 
right.  He  must  have  lived  on  faith,  which  might  have  been  done  in  those  days,  but  the 
experiment  would  be  somewhat  hazardous  now.  The  three-story  brick  building  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  Square  was  the  one  built  and  used  by  Mr.  White  as  already  indi- 
cated. The  east  front  room  of  this  house,  now  occupied  as  a  dental  office  by  Dr.  H.  F. 
Seip,  was  the  place  of  meeting  of  those  who  assembled  and  organized  Dafayette  College. 

John  Nicholas,  in  1799,  bought  of  Henry  Spering,  Esq.,  the  lot  of  ground  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  Ferry  and  Second  streets,  and  in  1806,  ere6ted  the  stone  building  now 
standing  thereon  for  a  hotel,  and  kept  it  as  such  until  1832,  when  he  sold  it  to  Dr.  Stewart 
Kennedy.      For  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  centur\'  it  was  the  resort  of  the  young  people  of 


i66  THE    HISTORY  OF 

that  day,  when  gay  festivities  and  the  merry  dance  was  the  rule.  It  is  now  the  residence 
of  George  W.  Stout,  Esq. 

In  1817  Christian  Hartzel  kept  a  hotel  on  Front  street,  called  the  "Delaware  House." 
This  was  a  prominent  resort  for  Durham  boatmen  and  raftsmen.  It  was  afterward  kept 
by  David  Stem.  There  was  an  old  hotel  kept  b}-  Mr.  Moore  on  the  south  side  of  North- 
ampton, a  few  doors  from  Front  street.  This  was  called  the  "  Ferr\'  Hotel."  j\Ir.  Moore 
kept  the  ferry  and  hotel  at  the  same  time.  This  house  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Bornman. 
A  few  doors  above  this,  on  the  corner  of  Green  and  Northampton,  was  a  hotel  in  1817, 
kept  by  Daniel  Swander,  and  it  too,  was  a  resort  for  boatmen  and  raftsmen.  There  is 
still  a  hotel  at  this  place  kept  by  Mr.  Robert  Gerver,  and  named  The  Gerver  House. 

Christopher  Engle  kept  a  hotel  on  North  Fourth  street,  at  the  sign  of  the  White 
Horse.  This  was  the  headquarters  for  lumbermen  from  over  the  mountains  and  for 
farmers  bringing  their  produce  to  market.  At  the  same  time  it  was  a  great  place  for 
dancing  and  frolics  and  fighting.  This  was  especially  true  during  the  holidays,  to  see  who 
was  the  best  man.  It  was  a  common  occurrence  at  the  hotels,  except  White's.  At  the 
latter  hotel,  gentlemen  from  the  cities,  traveling  on  business  or  for  pleasure,  found  repose. 

The  "Green  Tree"  Hotel,  now  the  Franklin,  was  kept  in  181 7  by  Adam  Heckman. 
When  he  died  in  1818  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  Shouse.  In  181 7  the  Swan  Hotel 
was  kept  by  Thomas  Sebring.  At  the  same  time  a  Mr.  John  Yohe  kept  the  Central  Hotel. 
After  this  Christian  Butz  took  it  down  and  rebuilt  it.  It  was  formerly  two  stories  high 
and  built  of  stone.  The  sign  of  this  old  hotel  was  an  Indian  Chief  in  full  Indian  costume, 
which  was  removed  when  the  house  was  taken  down  and  the  new  one  built.  The  Central 
Hotel  stand  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  borough.  In  the  early  days  of  hotel  life,  Adam 
Yohe  kept  a  hotel  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Fourth  and  Northampton  streets. 

"Daddy"  Hempt  kept  a  hotel  in  an  old  log  house,  situated  on  Sitgreaves  street,  near 
the  corner  of  Northampton,  used  at  one  time  by  John  Dawes  as  a  chair  fadlory,  where  he 
carried  on  the  business  on  the  corner  fronting  Northampton  street.  There  are  many 
people  living  who  remember  this  old  log  house. 

We  have  thus  given  a  sketch  of  the  hotels  of  former  da\'s  in  Easton.  In  a  historic 
point  of  view,  the  old  log  house  at  the  Point  will  ever  stand  most  prominent.  Its  history 
will  be  read  with  deep  interest.  In  a  social  point,  White's  hotel  will  be  recognized  as 
standing  first.  This  was  a  home  for  those  who  sought  a  temporary  retreat  where  they 
might  enjoy  rest  and  a  generous  fare.  The  landlord  was  known,  far  and  near,  as  a 
most  genial,  skilled  and  companionable  host.  He  was  a  man  of  very  keen  wit  and  ready 
repartee.  He  could  tell  a  humorous  story  and  crack  a  joke  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  life 
to  the  company  without  giving  offense.  For  this  peculiar  power  he  was  called  "Chippy 
White."  Few  names  were  better  known  or  more  pleasantly  remembered  than  his.  His 
house  was  the  home  for  gentlemen  from  the  cities  and  all  parts  of  the  countr}-,  traveling 
for  pleasure  or  on  business.  Those  going  to  the  Water  Gap  or  Schooley's  Mountain  would 
always  arrange  to  stop  at  White's  Hotel.  His  business  increased,  and  needing  more  room, 
he  moved  Dr.  Miller's  office,  cut  the  stone  building  in  the  centre,  tore  down  the  eastern 
half,  and  built  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  James  W.  Long.  The  ample  parlor  of  this 
house  was  the  dining  room  of  the  hotel.  Mr.  White  was  very  kind  to  the  poor.  He  had 
tenants  who  were  needy,  and  many  times  could  not  pay  their  rents,  but  the)-  were  not  dis- 
tressed, the  debt  was  not  collected.      He  was  sheriff"  of  Northampton  county  from   1814  to 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  167 

181 7.  In  proof  of  his  proverbial  generous  nature  it  is  said,  that,  while  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duties  as  sheriff,  an  execution  was  placed  in  his  hands,  amounting  to  one  hundred 
dollars,  against  a  widow  with  a  family  of  children.  He  entered  the  woman's  house,  made 
known  his  errand,  and  the  mother  and  children  were  in  tears.  To  sell  the  property  was  to 
turn  the  family  out  of  doors.  The  debt  was  paid  by  the  sheriff  and  the  widow  remained 
with  the  children. 

The  other  hotels  were,  most  of  them,  centres  of  frolic  and  fun.  Dancing  was  a  great 
source  of  amusement.  There  would  be  frequent  scenes  of  fighting,  not  from  malice  always, 
but  from  a  desire  to  see  who  was  the  "best  man."  The  word  "best"  had  reference,  not 
to  morals,  but  to  muscular  force.  The  man  who  could  whip  any  other  in  the  town  was  the 
best  man.  But  manners  and  customs  have  greatly  changed  in  the  lapse  of  time.  Easton 
then  had,  as  it  now  has,  as  good  hotels  as  could  be  found  in  the  State. 

An  incident,  charadleristic  of  the  times,  is  narrated  in  John  Hill  Martin's  "Historical 
Sketch  of  Bethlehem,  p.  37,  of  Just  Johnson,  landlord  of  the  "Sun"  Inn,  over  one  hun- 
dred years  since  :  '  'Johnson  was  a  man  of  powerful  frame,  a  host  within  himself.  Christian 
Grubb,  an  iron  master  of  Lancaster  county,  having  heard  of  Johnson,  and  being  himself 
notorious  for  his  great  strength,  and  also  a  celebrated  boxer,  visited  the  "Sun,"  on  pur- 
pose to  get  up  a  fight  with  the  giant  Moravian  Brother ;  but  it  was  not  until  he  had  been 
grossly  insulted  that  Just  lost  his  temper ;  then  suddenly  seizing  Grubb  by  his  breeches 
and  his  coat  collar,  he  threw  him  over  the  iron  railing  of  the  tavern  porch  to  the  pavement 
below,  saying,  "God  bless  meiner  soul,  I  drows  you  over  de  banisters."  Grubb  was  quite 
a  heavy  man,  and  being  very  good  natured  in  the  main,  was  satisfied  with  Johnson's  dis- 
play of  strength  ;  he  told  him  who  he  was,  and  why  he  had  visited  Bethlehem,  and  so 
together  they  made  merry  over  the  occurrence." 


THE  ABEL  FAMILY. 


'Squire  Jacob  Abel  came  to  this  country  from  Germany,  in  the  early  days  of  Easton, 
and  was  for  many  years  one  of  its  most  prominent  citizens.  He  was  born  in  1744,  and 
was  thirty-two  years  old  when  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  adopted.  It  had 
been  twenty-six  years  since  the  Durham  boats  began  the  navigation  of  the  Delaware, 
and  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  business  of  boating  a  part  of  that  time.  Being  familiar 
with  the  handling  of  that  craft,  a  patriot,  and  in  the  vigor  of  manhood,  he  helped  colledl 
the  boats  for  the  passage  of  General  Washington's  army  over  the  Delaware  in  his  retreat 
through  New  Jersey,  after  the  battle  of  Brooklyn.  The  author  learned  from  Mr.  John 
Abel  that  his  grandfather  carried  the  mail  to  Philadelphia  for  a  time  on  horse-back.  The 
most  direct  route  from  the  Eastern  States  and  from  places  on  the  upper  Hudson  to  Phila- 
delphia was  over  the  old  mine  road  from  Esopus  to  Van  Campen's  mills,  above  the  Water 
Gap.  While  Adams  was  President,  he  came  from  Boston  by  this  route,  descending  the 
Delaware  in  Durham  boats.  The  news  of  the  sui-render  of  Burgoyne  came  over  the  same 
road,  and  Jacob  Abel  carried  this  news  to  Philadelphia,  and  heard  the  shouts  of  the 
patriots  as  they  rang  through  the  streets.  He  owned  the  Ferry  in  1787,  and  was  one  of 
five  who  purchased  Getter's  Island  during  the  same  year,  of  the  Penns.     He  became 


i68  THE    HISTORY  OF 

Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  held  the  office  inan\-  years.  He  kept  hotel  at  the  "Point"  at  the 
same  time.  His  name  appears  on  the  tax  list  of  1788  as  one  of  the  large  property  holders 
of  the  town.  His  office  was  in  the  stone  house  that  stood  where  Magee's  fruit  store  now 
stands.     In  this  house  he  died  in  1822,  aged  seventy-eight. 

His  children  were  Jacob*-';  John*^'.  Jacob  followed  the  business  of  transportation,  as 
his  father  had  done  before  him  ;  first  with  Durham  boats  on  the  Delaware  river,  and  after- 
wards on  the  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  Canals.  In  the  later  years  of  his  life  he  was 
largely  engaged  in  the  transportation  of  coal  and  merchandise,  both  on  his  own  account 
and  as  a  partner  in  the  firms  of  Drake,  Wilson  &  Co.,  Abel,  Berthoud  &  Co.,  and  the 
Lehigh  Transportation  Company.  He  also,  for  a  number  of  years,  kept  a  hotel  at  the 
"Point,"  which  was  for  a  long  period  the  centre  of  a  large  trade,  both  before  and  after 
the  building  of  the  canals.  He  was  a  very  active  and  energetic  business  man,  and  was 
known  to  all  who  traversed  either  river  or  canals,  in  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Penn- 
sylvania. His  children  were  William  W;  Jacob'^);  George'^);  John  S.<'';  SamueP*';  Ann'9>, 
wife  of  George  W.  Housel ;  Elizabeth <'°>,  wife  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Wood,  D.  D. ;  and  Maria'"', 
wife  of  Joseph  Stabp. 

William'-''  is  a  resident  of  Easton,  and  has  no  children  ;  George'*'  is  also  a  resident 
and  has  nine  children.  Samuel  *''  is  dead.  His  widow,  Mrs.  Valeria  Abel,  and  two  chil- 
dren. Dr.  Samuel  V.  Abel,  and  Nettie,  wife  of  George  W.  Geiser,  Esq.,  sur\-ive  him. 

John  Abel '3',  the  brother  of  Jacob '^',  had  a  large  family,  of  whom  but  one  survives — 
John ''"',  who  is  a  confedlioner  at  No.  237  Northampton  street,  Easton.  He  has  a  large 
family:  Louisa,  wife  of  W.  W.  Cottingham,  Esq.,  Superintendent  of  Schools;  Charles  J., 
confe(5lioner,  of  Phillipsburg,  N.  J. ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  W.  E.  Hammann,  druggist,  of 
Easton;  Josephine,  wife  of  Mr.  G.  T.  Hammann,  of  Bethlehem;  Emma  M.,  John  H., 
Isabella,  Edward,  and  Mary.  John  was  also  engaged  in  boating  with  Durham  boats  until 
the  opening  of  the  canals,  when  he  carried  on  boating  between  Easton  and  Philadelphia. 
He  also,  for  some  years,  was  engaged  in  the  grocerN-  business  in  Easton. 

On  July  7,  1825,  hs  ^^^  appointed  by  Governor  Shulze  a  Commissioner  for  improving 
the  navigation  of  the  river  Delaware,  under  the  A<fl  of  March  26,  1821.  The  first  Com- 
missioners were  Lewis  S.  Coryell  and  John  Kirkbride,  of  Bucks  coimty,  and  Jacob  Shouse, 
of  the  County  of  Northampton  ;  but  Mr.  Shouse  resigned  and  Mr.  Abel  was  appointed  in 
his  place.  He  was  engaged  for  more  than  three  years  in  this  important  work.  It  was 
with  him  a  labor  of  love,  for  he  knew  every  rift  and  fall  in  it.  The  transportation  of  logs, 
lumber,  grain,  etc.,  down  the  Delaware  from  New  York  State,  and  the  upper  counties  of 
New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  was  then  an  important  business.  In  fatt,  the  public  roads 
were  so  few  and  so  poor  that  they  were  not  used  unless  such  use  was  unavoidable.  In 
this  day  and  generation,  it  is  hard  to  imagine  the  importance  of  the  river  communication 
of  that  day,  before  the  construction  of  canals ;  and  it  is  no  small  proof  of  the  ability  and 
efficiency  of  John  Abel  that  he  was  chosen,  with  such  men  as  Lewis  S.  Coryell  and  John 
Kirkbride,  for  this  public  service  by  Governor  Andrew  Shulze. 


HON.  TIMOTHY   PICKERING. 


had  become 


Truth  is  sometimes  stranger  than  fiction. 


ROM  the  New  American  Cyclopaedia  we  learn  that  Timothy  Pickering  was 
born  in  Salem,  Massachusetts,  July  17,  1745.  He  graduated  at  Harvard 
when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  at  once  became  a  clerk  in  the  office 
of  John  Higgins,  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Essex.  Living  so 
near  Boston,  he  early  became  identified  with  the  patriotic  movements  which 
immediately  preceded  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  was  arrested  at  the  instance  of  Governor 
Gage  for  calling  a  town  meeting  on  public  grievances,  but  was  soon  set  at 
liberty.  He  wrote  ' '  an  essay  on  the  Plan  of  Discipline  for  a  Militia, ' '  which 
was  ordered  by  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  to  be  used  by  the  militia 
of  the  colony.  In  the  autumn  of  1776  the  army  of  General  Washington 
inch  reduced,  and  large  reinforcements  were  called  for.  Pickering  took 
command  of  a  regiment  raised  in  Essex  and  went  to  the  front.  In  1777  he  was  appointed 
adjutant  general  by  General  Washington,  and  was  present  at  the  battles  of  Brandywine 
and  Germantown.  He  was  in  adlive  service  during  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  and  at  the 
surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  The  Revolutionary  war  having  closed,  the  controversy 
in  Wyoming  was  renewed  between  the  New  England  settlers  and  the  Proprietary  Gov- 
ernment. Connecticut  claimed  that  her  charter  included  a  large  tradl  of  land  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley  which  had  been  settled  by  people  from  that  State.  Pennsylvania  claimed 
the  same  territory  as  included  in  the  purchase  of  William  Penn,  and  secured  by  the 
charter  from  the  English  King.  A  long  and  bitter  contest  enstied.  Each  party  felt 
their  claim  was  valid,  and  were  equally  determined  to  maintain  their  title  to  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  valleys  in  America.  The  leader  of  the  Conne6licut  people  was  John 
Franklin,  who  was  fearless,  bold  and  daring ;  and  the  idol  of  those  whom  he  led.  John 
Franklin  had  been  arrested  on  a  charge  of  high  treason.  The  writ  was  issued  by  Chief 
Justice  McKean.  To  arrest  him  was  looked  upon  as  a  perilous  undertaking.  Timothy 
Pickering  had  been  sent  to  Wyoming  to  assist  in  the  formation  of  a  new  county  (Luzerne) 
and  tise  his  endeavors  to  calm  the  troubled  waters,  and  settle  all  difficulties.  It  was  at  his 
instance  that  the  writ  was  issued  and  the  arrest  made.  John  Franklin  was  a  man  of 
powerful  muscles,  and  he  knew  how  to  use  them.  There  was  not  a  man  in  the  valley 
who  could  take  him  a  prisoner ;  and  so  it  must  be  done  by  stratagem.  At  the  close  of 
September,  after  a  political  tour,  he  had  returned  to  Wilkes-Barre,  and  was  standing  near 
the  ferry,  when  a  person  whom  he  knew  approached  and  said,  "a  friend  at  the  red  house 
wished  to  see  him."  Unconscious  of  danger  he  walked  down,  when  suddenly  he  was 
seized  behind  and  an  attempt  made  to  pinion  his  arms.  By  powerful  efforts  he  shook 
himself  loose  ;  was  again  seized,  but  by  the  most  powerful  exertions  he  kept  his  opponents 

Note. — As  Mr.  Pickering  was  for  some  time  a  resident  of  Easton,  the  author  has  felt  it  at  once  a  duty  and 
privilege  to  give  a  sketch  of  the  life  of  this  most  remarkable  man.  He  has  consulted  Bancroft's  United  States, 
The  New  American  Encyclopedia,  Miner's  Historj-  of  Wyoming",  and  the  biography  of  Timothy  Pickering,  sent 
by  Mr.  E.  A.  Weaver,  of  the  Engineering  Department  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  at  Philadelphia. 


ijo  THE  HISTORY  OF 

from  their  purpose,  till  a  noose  was  thrown  over  his  head  and  his  amis  confined ;  the 
power  of  four  men  being  requisite  to  bind  him.  To  get  him  on  horse-back  was  the  next 
obje<fl.  Colonel  Franklin  now  cried  out,  "help!  help!  William  Slocum !  Where  is 
William  Slocum?"  and  drawing  his  pistol,  for  he  went  armed,  discharged  one  of  them 
without  effecft,  when  a  heavy  blow  struck  him  for  a  moment  almost  senseless,  and  covered 
his  face  with  blood.  The  hour  had  been  judiciously  seledled,  in  the  midst  of  seeding 
time.  William  Slocum,  with  nearly  the  entire  male  population,  was  in  the  distant  fields 
sowing  grain.  But  the  spirit  of  the  good  Quaker  mother  was  aroused.  Her  Yankee 
blood  was  up.  A  lovely  and  amiable  woman  she  was,  but  for  the  moment  she  thought  of 
nothing  but  the  release  of  Franklin.  Mrs.  Slocum  seized  the  gun,  and  running  to  the 
door,  "W^illiam,"  she  cried.  "Who  will  call  William?"  "Is  there  no  luan  here?" 
"Will  nobody  rescue  him?"  From  the  river  bank  Captain  Erbe  had  taken  his  prisoner 
into  the  main  street,  near  Colonel  Pickerings ;  but  with  tremendous  power,  in  despite  of 
his  four  captors,  Franklin  threw  himself  from  his  horse  as  often  as  placed  on  him,  when 
Colonel  Pickering  was  obliged  to  come  from  behind  the  curtain  and  decisively  interpose. 
Accompanied  by  his  servant,  William  A.  George,  he  ran  to  the  door  armed  with  a  loaded 
pistol,  which  he  held  to  Franklin's  breast,  while  George  tied  his  legs  under  the  horse,  and 
bound  him  to  one  of  his  captors.  Colonel  Pickering  tells  the  story  of  binding  the  prisoner: 
"The  four  gentlemen  seized  him,  two  of  the  horses  were  in  my  stable  which  were  sent  to 
them  ;  but  soon  my  servant  returned  on  one  of  them  with  a  message  from  the  gentlemen 
that  the  people  were  assembling  in  numbers,  and  requested  me  to  come  with  what  men 
were  near  me  to  prevent  a  rescue.  I  took  loaded  pistols  in  my  hands  and  went  with 
another  servant  to  their  aid.  Just  as  I  met  them  Franklin  threw  himself  from  his  horse 
and  renewed  the  struggle  with  them.  His  hair  was  disheveled  and  his  face  was  bloody 
with  the  preceding  efforts.  I  told  the  gentlemen  they  could  never  carry  him  off  unless 
they  tied  his  feet  under  his  horse's  belly.  I  sent  for  a  cord.  The  gentlemen  remounted 
him  and  my  servant  tied  his  feet.  Then  one  taking  his  bridle,  another  following  behind, 
and  others  riding,  one  on  each  side,  they  whipped  up  his  horse,  and  were  soon  beyond  the 
reach  of  friends."  Thus  subdued  by  six,  he  was  hurried  with  painful  speed  to  the  jail  of 
Philadelphia. 

Colonel  Pickering  had  tried  all  the  arts  of  the  diplomatist,  all  the  kindness  of  the 
Christian  gentleman,  and  all  the  shrewdness  of  the  politician  to  bring  about  a  reconcilia- 
tion between  opposing  fa<5tions.  And  when  all  had  failed  he  called  upon  the  strong  ann 
of  the  State  and  hastened  a  crisis.  But  his  turn  came  next.  All  Wyoming  was  in  com- 
motion from  Nescopeck  to  the  State  line  on  hearing  of  the  violent  abduclion  of  Franklin, 
and  the  part  Pickering  had  taken  therein.  A  violent  civil  war  seemed  at  hand.  General 
Wayne  appeared  in  the  valley.  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Connecfticut,  had  drawn  up  a  consti- 
tution for  a  new  State.  Pickering  apprehending  violence  had  fled  to  Philadelphia,  hoping 
the  storm  of  wrath  would  pass  away.  The  winds  of  passion  seemed  to  have  subsided,  and 
Pickering  returned  to  his  home  in  the  valley.  Yankee  vengeance  only  waited  opportunity, 
and  that  soon  came.  On  the  26th  of  June,  17S8,  while  he  was  asleep,  at  eleven  o'clock 
at  night,  the  door  of  his  house  was  violently  opened,  and  he  was  ordered  to  get  up,  dress, 
and  follow  them.  "Get  a  warm  coat,  you  will  need  it,"  said  his  captors.  In  a  few 
minutes  they  left  the  hou.se  and  took  their  march  into  the  darkness.  There  were  fifteen 
men  who  liad  him  in  charge,  who,  forming  a  hollow  square,  placed  their  prisoner  in   the 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A.  171 

centre.  "Now,"  said  one  of  his  captors,  "write  two  or  three  lines  to  the  Executive 
Council  that  they  may  release  Franklin  and  we  will  release  you."  Instantly  Pickering 
answered:  "The  Executive  Council  know  their  duty  better  than  to  release  a  traitor  to 
procure  the  release  of  an  innocent  man."  "Damn  him,"  exclaimed  a  voice,  "Why  don't 
you  tomahawk  him?"  The  only  design  seemed  to  be  to  force  Pickering  to  intercede  for 
the  release  of  Franklin.  In  crossing  the  river,  when  the  water  was  too  shallow  for  the 
canoe  to  reach  the  bank,  one  of  the  company  carried  the  prisoner  to  the  shore  on  his  back 
rather  than  allow  him  to  wet  his  feet.  At  another  time  a  fawn  had  been  shot  and  a  choice 
piece  was  cut  and  roasted  for  him.  So  that  there  was  much  of  kindness  mingled  with 
severity.  After  being  some  days  in  the  woods,  a  chain  was  brought  by  one  of  the 
party  ;  it  was  about  six  feet  long,  and  attached  to  one  end  was  a  band  like  a  horse  fetter. 
They  said :  "Colonel  Franklin  had  been  put  in  irons  in  the  jail  in  Philadelphia  and  you 
must  by  put  in  irons  also."  They  placed  the  fetter  around  one  of  his  ankles,  locked  it 
and  bent  the  key,  so  that  it  could  not  be  used  without  an  instrument  to  straighten  it.  The 
other  end  of  the  chain  was  fastened  by  a  staple  in  a  tree,  and  thus  one  of  America's  great 
statesmen  was  chained  in  the  woods  like  a  beast.  At  other  times  when  halting  for  the 
night  the  chain  would  be  wound  around  the  leg  of  one  of  his  captors  so  that  he  could  not 
escape  in  the  night  without  awaking  his  keeper.  He  was  kept  thus  for  nineteen  days  in 
the  woods,  sleeping  at  night  in  the  open  air  or  in  deserted  cabins.  Rumors  came  that 
State  troops  were  in  pursuit  of  the  captured  statesman,  and  swearing  vengeance  on  his 
captors.  They  had  been  heard  by  Pickering  early  in  the  morning  while  his  keepers  were 
sleeping.  At  length  Gideon  Dudley  approached  him  and  said:  "Do  you  wish  to  be  set 
at  liberty"  "Of  course  I  do,"  was  his  answer.  "Will  you  intercede  for  Franklin's 
pardon?"  "No,  I  will  not."  "Will  you  intercede  for  our  pardon?"  Knowing  them 
personally,  and  that  they  were  acting  under  orders  from  others,  he  promised  his  influence, 
and  he  was  finally  set  at  liberty.  The  last  day  of  his  confinement  his  chain,  which  he  had 
worn  for  nine  days,  was  taken  off;  he  slept  with  his  guard  that  night  free  from  the  chain 
which  had  annoyed  him  so  long.  He  was  first  awake  in  the  morning,  stirred  up  some 
coarse  meal,  kindled  a  fire,  placed  his  cakes  on  hemlock  bark  and  cooked  them  for  his 
morning  meal.  As  soon  as  it  was  light  enough  to  see,  he  gathered  their  "green  tea," 
which  was  winter-green  and  made  a  cup  of  tea,  his  guard  awaking  in  time  to  enjoy  the  meal 
which  their  prisoner  had  so  kindly  prepared.  No  doubt  this  last  breakfast  in  the  woods 
was  among  the  most  enjoyable  of  his  life.  How  quickly  and  strangely  this  scene  is 
changed  !  He  went  from  his  chains  in  the  woods  of  Wyoming  to  the  Cabinet  of  Washing- 
ton. In  August,  1791,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster-General.  On  January  2,  1795,  he  was 
transferred  to  the  office  of  Secretary  of  War,  and  on  December  12,  to  that  of  Secretary  of 
State.  He  held  this  position  during  the  remainder  of  Washington's  administration,  and 
for  more  than  three  years  under  President  Adams,  who  removed  him  from  office  May  12, 
1800.  He  never  inquired  into  and  never  knew  the  reason  of  his  removal.  He  was  Sec- 
retary of  State  during  the  exciting  times  occasioned  by  the  arrival  of  Genet  as  Minister 
from  France,  and  the  negotiations  of  Jay's  Treaty  with  England.  He  safely  guided  the 
country  through  this  most  trying  period  in  the  history  of  the  Republic.  He  had  spent  his 
salary  as  fast  as  he  had  received  it,  and  was  left  without  an  income  when  suddenly  dismissed 
by  President  Adams.  During  his  services  in  Wyoming,  he  had  acquired  possession  of  ten 
thousand    acres  of  wild  land    near   the  Great   Bend  of  the   Susquehanna,    and    fourteen 


172  THE  HISTORY  OF 

thousand  in  the  western  part  of  the  State.  He  regretted  ver}-  much  that  he  had  not  gone 
into  tlig  woods  instead  of  going  into  the  Cabinet,  and  during  the  eight  years  spent  in 
office  cleared  up  a  farm  and  comfortable  home  for  himself  and  family.  He  looked  upon 
this  eight  years  as  a  financial  mistake,  and  determined  to  rectify  it  a-t  once.  Though  fifty- 
five  years  of  age,  he  would  plunge  into  the  wilds  of  Pennsylvania  and  hew  out  a  home  for 
his  family  where  he  could  enjoy  happiness  in  his  declining  years.  There  was  nothing  like 
it  in  our  history.  He  could  proudly  refer  to  Cincinnatus,  but  his  farm  was  cleared  ;  he 
might  quote  the  lines  : 

"  Cincinnatus  at  his  plough, 

With  more  true  glorj'  shone, 
Than  Caesar,  with  his  laureled  brow, 

His  palace  and  his  throne. ' ' 

Yet  his  friends  laughed  at  his  projecl,  ridiculed  it,  and  plead  with  him  to  relinquish  it. 
But  to  no  purpose.  He  resolved  to  place  his  famih'  in  Easton  where  there  were  good  schools, 
and  take  one  of  his  sons  and  go  to  the  forest.  He  lost  no  time  in  carrying  his  plans  into 
execution.  His  friends  offered  him  money  sufficient  for  comfort,  but  "he  would  not  take 
a  gift  while  he  could  dig."  He  was  offered  a  seat  on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
IMassachusetts,  "but  that  would  only  help  to  starve  him  politely,"  and  he  refused  it.  All 
things  having  been  made  ready.  Col.  Pickering,  at  the  end  of  June,  1800,  started,  in  high 
spirits,  on  his  bold  and  resolute  enterprise.  He  and  his  son  Henr}-  were  at  Easton,  July 
ist.  The  month  of  July  was  spent  in  providing  for  the  comfort  and  support  of  his  family 
here  until  his  return  in  the  winter.  He  collected  whatever  was  necessary  for  his  use  in 
the  woods,  and  on  the  nth  of  August  started  with  his  son  on  his  journey,  a  distance  of  a 
hundred  miles,  taking  laborers  acquainted  with  the  business  of  making  a  clearing  in  the 
forest,  a  span  of  horses,  a  yoke  of  oxen,  chains,  axes,  and  other  required  articles.  In  1794, 
the  Academy  and  the  stone  school  house,  corner  of  Church  and  Sitgreaves  streets,  were 
built.  Here  were  the  opportunities  which  Mr.  Pickering  sought  for  his  children.  He 
felt  it  might  be  some  time  before  he  would  be  ready  to  take  his  family  to  his  new  home, 
and  here  in  Easton  were  good  advantages  and  a  good  home.  He  went  at  work  in  the  woods 
with  the  utmost  energy.  His  hands  were  blistered,  his  limbs  were  made  lame  and  tired. 
But  his  strength  was  invigorated.  His  free  and  independent  life  and  the  forest  air  were  a 
constant  delight.  Its  mystic  silence  inspired  his  fancy  and  elevated  his  soul.  His 
biographer  thinks  this  the  happiest  period  of  his  life.  The  work  of  the  season  having  been 
accomplished,  he  returned  to  E)aston,  December  10,  1800.  He  spent  a  couple  of  weeks 
with  his  family  and  then  set  out  on  a  brief  visit  to  his  relatives  and  friends  in  the  place 
of  his  birth.  He  was  warmly  welcomed  by  his  friends  in  Salem,  who  determined  to  induce 
him  to  give  up  what  they  considered  a  wild  projecfl.  They  had  tried  ridicule  and  argu- 
ment without  effecft.  The\-  now  changed  their  tatlics.  They  spoke  in  high  terms  of  his 
lands  and  of  his  tremendous  energy  in  his  efforts  to  make  for  himself  a  home.  But  he  had 
incidentally  said  that  if  he  could  sell  enough  to  realize  a  sufficient  sum  to  buy  a  farm  near 
his  childhood  home  he  would  dispose  of  his  Pennsylvania  lands.  His  friends  saw  their 
opportunity.  They  ascertained  his  price,  formed  a  compan>-,  and  paid  him  $25,000,  and 
Timothy  Pickering's  toil  came  to  an  end.  How  much  the  memories  of  childhood  had  to 
do  in  changing  his  course  he  has  never  told  us.  But  it  is  quite  likely  that  the  sweet 
recollec^Tiions  of  the   home   of  his  youth   lielped  to  wean  his  affecifions  from  the   "mystic 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


173 


silence  of  the  forest  which  had  so  inspired  his  soul."  The  purchase  of  the  land  was  a 
business  transa<5lion,  though  his  friends  never  received  a  dollar  for  the  land  they  bought. 
Alexander  Hamilton  has  just  fallen  in  a  duel  with  Aaron  Burr ;  his  family  was  left  poor, 
and  the  land  bought  of  Pickering  was  freely  given  the  widow  and  her  children.  Picker- 
ing came  back  to  Easton,  and  spent  a  short  time  here.  His  friends  bought  a  farm  for  him 
near  Salem,  Massachusetts,  and  the  family  left  Easton  in  1801.  After  the  commencement 
of  hostilities  against  Great  Britain  in  18 12,  he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  War ; 
from  1813  to  1817  he  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States. 

He  was  one  of  the  ablest  men  of  his  time  and  possessed  the  entire  confidence  of  Pres- 
idents Washington  and  the  elder  Adams,  as  well  as  that  of  the  people  of  his  native  State, 
and  must  ever  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  heroes  in  the  history  of  the 
Republic. 

That  he  had  a  taste  for  humor  is  evident  from  the  following  incident.  He  wrote  to 
his  son  from  Washington  in  1805,  saying  :  "Hand  the  enclosed  slip  to  your  mother  when 
opportunity  offers.  We  have  a  Scotch  clergyman  here  who  is  one  of  the  Chaplains  to 
Congress.  He  furnished  one  of  my  fellow  lodgers  with  two  verses  written  by  Robert 
Burns,  on  hearing  a  report  of  the  death  of  Thomas  Paine,  which  are  not  published  in 
Burns'  works.     I  enclose  them."     The  following  was  the  enclosure  : 

"  All  pale  and  ghastly  Tommy  Paine 

Last  night  goed  down  to  hell ; 

The  de\nl  shook  him  by  the  hand, 

Says  Tom,  I  hope  your  well." 

"  He  led  him  to  a  furnace  hot 
And  on  him  shut  the  door ; 
Oh,  how  the  devils  leap  and  laugh, 
To  hear  the  rascal  roar." 

Mr.  Pickering  died  at  Salem,  January  29,  1829.  His  son  John  became  an  eminent 
scholar,  philologist  and  Jurist.  He  was  the  author  of  a  Greek  and  English  lexicon,  which 
he  commenced  in  1814,  before  any  similar  work  had  been  undertaken,  and,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  Dr.  Daniel  Oliver,  finished  and  published  in  1826. 


174 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


:ENKRV — "MOUNT    IDA,       ON    THE    LEHIGH.        SHOWING   TH> 
TO   THE    RIGHT;    AND   SNUKFTOWN    TO   THE    LEFT. 


ROADS--THE  FIRST  STAGE  LINE. 


|N  the  twelve  years  of  peace,  which  succeeded  the  cessation  of  the  Indian 
troubles  in  1764,  the  county  and  its  inhabitants  made  good  progress  in  ma- 
terial prosperity,  and  in  such  public  improvements  as  naturally  follow  new 
settlements  in  the  wilderness.  At  the  time  of  the  planting  of  the  first  set- 
tlements, the  only  road  reaching  to  them  was  the  "King's  Road"— as  it  was 
called — reaching  from  Philadelphia  to  the  Lehigh,  at  Jones'  Island,  about 
a  mile  below  Bethlehem.  This  was  really  nothing  more  than  an  Indian 
trail — the  "Minisink  Path" — over  which  the  il/?«j?' warriors  had,  from 
time  immemorial,  passed  to  and  fro,  between  the  Blue  Mountains  and  tide 
water.  This  was  improved  from  time  to  time,  until  at  last  it  became  a  good 
and  solid  road.  Next  was  laid  out,  a  public  road  from  Goshenhoppen,  in 
Montgomery  county,  to  Jeremiah  Trexler's  tavern,  which  stood  in  what  is  now  Upper 
Macungie  township,  Lehigh  county;  then  the  territory  of  Bucks  county,  and  embraced  in 
Northampton,  at  the  time  of  its  eredlion.  This  laying  out  was  made  in  1732.  Five  years 
later — 1737 — a  road  was  opened  from  Nazareth  to  the  Depui  settlement  at  the  Minisink, 
and,  in  1744,  inhabitants  petitioned  that  this  road  might  be  continued  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Saucon,  by  the  way  of  Bethlehem.  They  stated  that  they  "labored  under  great  incon- 
venience for  want  of  a  road  to  mill  and  to  market  (the  latter  being  at  Bethlehem,  and  the 
former  at  Saucon  Creek);  the  paths  being  yearly  altered,  so  that  they  could  not  travel  with- 
out endangering  their  lives,  and  going  far  out  of  their  way"  and  they  asked  "that  they 
may  have  a  road  fit  for  wagons  to  pass  from  Saucon  Mill  to  Bethlehem,  and  thence  to  Naz- 
areth, on  account  of  a  corn-mill  that  is  at  Bethlehem,  without  which  road  the  people  of 
Nazareth,  and  others,  the  inhabitants  of  the  county,  will  be  put  to  great  inconvenience, 
and  the  same  mill  to  them  be  rendered  useless."  Upon  this  petition  the  road  was  laid  out 
as  follows:  "Beginning  at  Irish's  stone-quarry,  at  a  white  oak,  thence  northwest  forty 
degrees,  north  thirty-five  perches"  and  so  continuing  through  the  various  courses  and 
distances  "quite  to  Nazareth,  twenty-eight  hundred  and  forty  perches." 

Also  in  1744,  there  was  laid  out,  a  road  from  Walpack  Ferry,  on  the  Delaware,  to 
Isaac  Ysselstein's  place  on  the  Lehigh.  This  road  was  twenty-seven  miles,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  eighteen  rods  in  length.  A  road  was  asked  for  in  the  year  1745,  to  run  from 
Bethlehem  to  the  ferry  at  the  "Point"  where  the  Lehigh  enters  the  Delaware,  that  is,  to 
conneft  with  the  ferry  to  New  Jersey.  The  petition  was  granted,  but  years  passed  before 
the  road  was  built. 

The  next  year  a  road  was  opened  from  the  German  settlements  in  Macungie,  north- 
easterly, to  the  Lehigh,  opposite  Bethlehem,  and  again,  in  1747,  a  highway  was  petitioned 
for,  to  run  from  the  Saucon,  by  way  of  Bethlehem,  to  Mahoning  Creek,  beyond  the  moun- 
tains, which  in  due  time  was  granted  and  laid  out. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen,  that  in  the  proje(5ling,  and  laying  out  of  roads,  the  town  of 
Bethlehem  was  made  an  objedlive  point;  all  the  routes  of  travel  radiating  from  thence  as  a 
common  centre;  Bethlehem  being,  at  that  time,  more  considerable  in  size  than  any  other 
town  in  the  countv. 


176  THE  HISTORY  OF 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  in  those  days,  in  Northampton  county,  the 
granting  of  a  road  was  an  entirely  distinct  affair  from  the  building  thereof,  and  in  almost 
every  case,  years  elapsed  between  these  two  operations,  as,  for  instance,  the  road  from  the 
Macungie  German  settlements,  to  the  Lehigh,  at  Bethlehem,  which  was  laid  out  in  1745, 
was  no  more  than  a  bridal-path,  for  at  least  fifteen  years,  and  it  was  considerably  after 
1760  before  it  became,  in  any  sense,  a  wagon  road. 

And  again,  in  the  case  of  the  road  which  had  been  laid  out  from  Martin's  Ferr}',  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Lehigh,  in  1745.  John  Chapman  and  John  Watson,  surveyors,  had  been 
directed  to  lay  out  "a  commodious  road  from  the  mouth  of  the  West  Branch  of  the  Dela- 
ware— the  landing  place  of  a  well-accustomed  fern.-  over  the  Delaware  River — over  the 
aforementioned  West  Branch,  into  the  great  road  leading  from  Saucon  to  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia," and  yet,  when  Governor  Hamilton,  on  the  thirteenth  of  July,  1752,  had  occasion 
to  pass  over  this  road  on  his  way  to  Easton,  it  was  discovered  that  not  only  had  it  not 
been  built,  but  that  ]\Iessrs.  Chapman  and  Watson,  had  not  even  so  much  as  laid  it  out, 
as  they  had  been  directed  to  do  seven  years  before.  And  it  was  not  until  years  later  than 
this,  even,  that  it  was  completed  for  the  passage  of  vehicles. 

So  that,  in  the  year  1763,  there  was  not  a  really  good  road  in  the  bounds  of  the  county; 
but  the  best  there  was,  was  the  "King's  Road"  from  Philadelphia  to  Bethlehem — striking 
the  Lehigh  at  Ysselstein's  Island,  and  it  was  over  this  road  that  the  travel  between  the 
Capital  and  all  parts  of  Northampton  county  passed  ;  the  Durham  road,  which  struck  the 
Lehigh  at  Easton,  being,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  impassable. 

It  was  over  this  road,  too,  that  George  Klein,  of  Bethlehem,  made  the  first  trip  with  his 
"  stage- wagon, "  in  September,  1763.  After  that,  he  ran  regularly  between  that  town  and 
Philadelphia,  making  the  round  trip  weekly — that  is,  he  started  on  Monday  mornings, 
from  the  Sun  Tavern,  in  Bethlehem,  and  on  his  return,  he  set  out  from  the  inn,  called  the 
"King  of  Prussia,"  on  Thursday  morning  of  each  week.  This  inn  stood  on  Race  street. 
It  is  not  known  whether  or  not  this  "stagewagon"  line  proved  profitable  to  the  proprietor, 
but  certain  it  is  that  it  continued  its  trips,  through  fair  weather  and  foul,  and  was  the 
pioneer  of  all  the  stage-lines  which  succeeded  it  in  the  county. 


The  first  regular  stage  route  to  Easton  was  established  by  Frederick  Nicholas,  in  the 
year  1796.  One  trip  a  week  was  made,  leaving  Easton  on  Monday  mornings.  It  was  not 
until  1815  that  trips  were  made  daily.  Packages  of  money  and  small  parcels  were  carried 
by  the  drivers.  We  cannot  better  illustrate  the  mode  of  travel  in  those  days  than  by  tran- 
scribing from  Martin's  "Historical  Sketch  of  Bethlehem"  the  following  advertisement 
which  appeared  in  the  Philadelphia  Advertiser  of  April  5,  1798  : 

"Philadelphia,  Allentown,  Bethlehem  and  Wind  Gap  Stages. 

"The  subscribers  respectfully  inform  the  public  that  they  will  start  a  line  of  stages,  to 
set  out  at  the  Wind  Gap  at  Mr.  Jacob  Hellers,  on  Saturday  the  i8th  of  April,  1798,  at  one 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  arrive  at  Bethlehem  same  evening.  Another  stage  will  start 
from  Bethlehem  at  five  o'clock  next  morning,  at  which  time  an  extra  stage  will  start  from 
Allentown  from  the  hou.se  of  Jacob  Hagenbuch,  and  fall  in  with  the  line  at  Mr.  Cooper's 
(Coopersburg) ;  then  proceeding  to  Mr.  vSamuel  Sellers'  (Sellersville),  where  another  stage 
will  set  out  immediately  and  arri\e  at  Mr.  Eh'  Chandlers'  PVanklin  Head,  Philadelphia, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


177 


same  evening.  Set  out  from  E.  Chandler's  Franklin  Head,  Philadelphia,  on  Wednesday 
morning  at  five  o'clock,  and  proceed  the  same  route  back,  and  arrive  at  Allentown  and 
Bethlehem  same  evening.  Another  stage  will  leave  J.  Heller's  at  one  o'clock  said  day, 
and  likewise  arrive  at  Bethlehem  same  evening ;  set  out  from  Bethlehem  Thursday  morn- 
ing, at  five  o'clock,  and  both  stages  take  their  respective  routes,  and  arrive  at  Philadelphia 
the  same  evening,  and  at  Mr.  Heller's,  at  nine  o'clock  the  same  morning;  set  out  from  Mr. 
Chandler's  (Philadelphia)  on  Saturday  morning  at  five  o'clock  and  arrive  at  Allentown  and 
Bethlehem  the  same  evening ;  and  so  twice  a  week  from  the  Wind  Gap  to  Philadelphia. 

"The  fare  for  passengers  from  Mr.  Heller's  (Wind  Gap)  to  Bethlehem,  for  each 
passenger,  seventy  cents ;  from  Bethlehem  or  Allentown  to  Philadelphia,  three  dollars ; 
way  passenger,  six  cents  a  mile  ;  14  pounds  of  baggage  allowed  each  passenger  ;  150  wt., 
same  as  a  passenger,  and  the  same  for  returning. 

"Parcels  taken  in  at  the  stage  office  at  Mr.  Chandler's,  Philadelphia;  at  M.  Severing' s, 
Bethlehem,  and  at  Mr.  Heller's,  Wind  Gap.     The  smallest  parcels  twelve  cents;  two  cents. 


ILLUSTRATION   OF   AN   OLD-TIME   STAGE-COACH. 


per  pound  that  exceed  fourteen  pounds,  for  which  the  subscribers  will  vouch  for  their  de- 
livery at  their  respedlive  places. 

"The  subscribers  from  the  liberal  encouragement  received  from  the  public  last  season, 
and  now  by  providing  several  sets  of  the  best  horses,  and  commodious  stages,  sober  and 
careful  drivers,  they  flatter  themselves  that  the  public  will  continue  to  give  them  the  pre- 
ference, as  the  line  will  run  through  from  Bethlehem  to  Philadelphia,  in  one  day. — George 
Weaver,  Samuel  Sellers,  Philip  Sellers,  Enoch  Roberts,  Jacob  Hellers." 

At  that  period  there  was  more  travel  from  Bethlehem  to  Philadelphia  than  from 
Easton  ;  the  "stage  wagon"  of  George  Klein  was  the  pioneer  of  stages  in  this  secftion. 
At  a  later  day,  the  lines  from  Philadelphia  to  Easton  and  Wilkes- Barre,  became  the  main 
route  of  travel  for  all  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  The  line  from  Bethlehem  to  Philadel- 
phia continued  in  use,  until  the  completion  of  the  North  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  in 
January,  1857.  Easton  became  the  centre  of  operations  for  many  lines  of  stages.  Some 
of  our  older  readers  will  live  again  the  life  of  by-gone  days  as  they  read  these  lines.  The 
close  contadl  into  which  the  stage  coach  brings  its  passengers,  the  genial  and  hearty 
manners,  the  ready  wit  and  unstudied  humor  of  the  travellers,  made  companions  out  of 


178  THE  HISTORY  OF 

strangers  before  many  miles  had  been  traversed,  and  before  the  journey  had  ended,  friend- 
ships, which  ended  only  with  life. 

About  the  years  1825  to  1830,  there  were,  in  all,  ten  stage  routes  leaving  Easton  in 
various  dire<ftions.  The  Philadelphia  route,  fifty-six  miles  in  length  ;  the  Newark  route, 
sixty-two  miles  in  length ;  the  New  Brunswick  route,  forty-five  miles  in  length  ;  the 
Wilkes-Barre  route,  sixty-five  miles  in  length ;  the  Mount  Pleasant  route,  eighty-one 
miles  in  length  ;  the  route  to  Berwick,  sixty-five  miles  in  length  ;  the  Lancaster  route, 
one  hundred  and  six  miles  in  length  ;  the  route  to  Milford,  sixty-six  miles  in  length. 
The  line  to  Newton  was  forty  miles  in  length,  and  was  the  only  one  not  using  Troy 
coaches  and  four  horses.     The  river  route  to  Philadelphia  was  not  a  profitable  one. 

The  stage  lines  changed  hands  a  number  of  times,  and  we  give  the  names  of  some  owners : 
Frederick  Nicholas,  John  Adam  Copp,  James  Ely,  Robert  Levers,  Richard  Stout,  Josiah 
Horton,  William  and  Samuel  Shouse,  William  White,  Hugh  Major,  Andrew  Whitesell,  Col. 
Reeside,  Jacob  Peters,  David  Connor  and  Reuben  Gross.  Between  William  Shouse  and 
William  White  there  existed  great  competition,  and  by  way  of  illustration  we  copy  the 
following  from  the  "History  of  Northampton  County:"  "William  White,  one  of  the 
owners  of  the  line,  was  proprietor  of  the  Easton  Hotel,  or  as  it  was  better  known  "White's 
Hotel,"  located  at  the  corner  of  North  Third  street  and  Centre  Square  *  *  *  At  the 
same  time  William  Shouse  *  *  *  -^as  the  proprietor  of  the  "Green  Tree,"  now  the 
Franklin  House  *  *  *  Mr.  White,  secure  in  owning  the  line  of  travel,  refused  in  any 
way  to  accommodate  a  guest  of  the  ' '  Green  Tree. ' '  If  any  one  wished  to  stop  there,  they 
must  get  there  with  their  baggage  the  best  way  they  could  ;  and  if  any  one  stopping  there 
wished  to  go  to  Philadelphia,  they  must  go  with  their  baggage  to  White's  Hotel  to  take 
passage,  for  the  stage  would  not  call  for  them,  at  least  not  at  the  regular  prices.  This 
discrimination  against  his  hotel  was  very  annoying  to  Mr.  Shouse,  and  being  unable  by 
persuasion  or  remonstrance  to  change  the  matter,  and  being  of  an  energetic  and  deter- 
mined nature,  he  decided  to  make  an  attempt  to  meet  the  enemy  on  his  own  ground  and 
fight  him  along  the  entire  line."  He  at  once  carried  out  his  project  by  allying  himself 
with  Col.  Reeside,  then  one  of  the  heaviest  mail  contractors  in  the  countr,',  who  furnished 
the  lower  end  of  the  routes,  while  Mr.  Shouse  took  charge  of  the  upper  end.  New 
coaches,  new  and  fine  horses  were  at  once  put  on  the  road,  and  the  fight  commenced. 
The  opposing  parties  were  well  matched,  both  being  determined,  persevering  and  excited. 
Such  races  as  they  had  !  Such  time  as  they  made  !  LTp  hill  and  down  they  went  at  break- 
neck speed,  each  driver  doing  his  best  to  reach  Easton  first.  I  venture  to  say  that  our 
good  old  town  had  no  such  daily  excitement  before  or  since.  This  continued  for  some 
time,  when  Col.  Reeside  bought  the  stock  of  the  old  line  and  ended  the  conflict. 

Some  of  the  stage  drivers  were :  John  Pittenger,  Jacob  Pittenger,  Mahlon  \'annor- 
man,  Mahlon  West  and  Frank  Carney.  Mr.  Vannorman  and  Mr.  Carney  are  still  living ; 
the  former  ser\'ed  at  the  business  twenty-four  years,  and  is  now  hale  and  heaj-ty  at  the 
good  old  age  of  87.  Mahlon  West  latterly  was  buying-agent  for  Jacob  Peters,  that  is, 
particularly  in  horse  flesh.  The  open  lot  on  Lehigh  Hill,  just  above  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Freight  Depot,  was  the  pasture  for  Mr.  Peters'  horses,  and  for  years  from  twent>-  to  thirty 
head  of  horses  were  kept  there. 


EASTON    POST   OFFICE. 


HE  Post  Office  was  established  at  Easton,  Northampton  County,  Pa.,  March 
20th,  1793.  Prior  to  that  date,  it  is  probable  that  the  residents  conduced 
their  very  limited  correspondence  by  sending  their  letters  to  Philadelphia 
or  New  York  by  the  not  very  frequent  travelers  to  those  cities.  On  Feb- 
ruary 20th,  1792,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  passed  an  "Act  to 
establish  the  post  office  and  post  roads  within  the  United  States,"  which, 
receiving  the  approving  signature  of  George  Washington,  President  of  the 
United  States,  became  a  law.  It  established  a  post  route  from  Wicasset, 
Maine,  to  Savannah,  Georgia,  passing  through  Portland,  (Me.)  Portsmouth, 
(N.  H.)  Boston,  (Mass.)  Hartford,  (Conn.)  New  York,  (N.  Y.)  Newark, 
Elizabetlitown  and  Trenton,  (N.  J.)  Philadelphia  and  Chester,  (Pa.),  and  so 
on  to  Savannah,  (Ga.).  This  was  the  post  route  of  the  United  States,  and  from  this  were 
a  few  cross  routes,  among  them  one  from  "Philadelphia  to  Bethlehem,"  "Bethlehem  to 
Easton  and  Sussex  Court  House,"  and  one  from  "Sussex  Court  House  to  Elizabethtown," 
intersedling  there  the  "post  road."  This  was  the  first  act  passed,  under  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States,  establishing  a  postal  system  in  this  country.  It  went  into  effeft,  in 
accordance  with  its  provisions,  on  June  ist,  1792. 

In  1792,  there  was  established  a  line  of  stages  between  Bethlehem  and  Philadelphia, 
and  in  1796  between  Easton  and  Philadelphia,  or  perhaps  it  were  more  proper  to  call  it  a 
stage  line,  as  probably  but  one  stage  was  required,  a  round  trip  being  made  only  twice  a 
week  in  summer,  and  once  a  week  in  winter.  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  here  note  the  rates 
of  postage  first  established  in  the  United  States ;  the  weight  seems  to  have  been  allowed 
as  one  quarter  of  an  ounce  avoirdupois  to  each  letter ;  the  rates  of  postage  varied  with  the 
distance,  viz.,  under  thirty  miles,  six  cents;  from  thirty  to  sixty  miles,  eight  cents;  sixty 
to  one  hundred  miles,  ten  cents ;  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  twelve  and 
one-half  cents  ;  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  seventeen  cents;  two 
hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  twenty  cents;  three  hundred  and  fifty  to 
four  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  twenty-two  cents;  over  four  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  twenty-five 
cents.  Newspapers  were  carried  at  the  rate  of  one  cent  for  a  distance  not  exceeding  one 
hundred  miles,  and  one  and  one-half  cents  if  over  one  hundred  miles.  Each  publisher  of  a 
newspaper  could  send  every  other  publisher  one  copy  of  his  paper  free  of  postage. 

The  passage  of  the  Post  Route  Bill  and  the  establishment  of  the  line  of  stages  seems 
to  have  had  an  influence  on  the  residents  of  Easton,  for  in  the  following  spring,  to  wit : 
"March  20th,  1793,"  we  find  from  the  records  of  the  Post  Office  Department,  that  the 
Post  Office  at  Easton  was  established.  Since  the  establishment  of  the  Easton  Post  Office, 
the  Borough  has  had  sixteen  Postmasters,  as  follows,  to  wit : 

The  first  Postmaster  was  Henry  Spering.  He  was  a  scrivener,  and  one  of  the  most 
prominent  citizens  of  the  county  at  the  close  of  the  last  century;  he  filled  all  of  the  county 
offices — Prothonotary,  Recorder,  Register,  and  Clerk  of  the  Sessions — and  was  general 
official  of  the  town.     It  is  most  probable,  though  not  absolutely  certain,  that  during  his 


i8o  THE  HISTORY  OF 

term  the  Post  office  was  located  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  the  Public  Square,  in  a 
frame  building  on  the  lot  where  the  First  National  Bank  is  now  erected.  He  was 
appointed  during  the  term  of  President  Washington,  March  20th,  1793,  and  held  the  office 
a  little  over  four  years. 

The  second  Postmaster  was  Hon.  John  Ross,  who  was  appointed  during  the  term  of 
President  John  Adams,  Oct.  ist,  1797.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  that  day, 
and  afterwards  became  a  member  of  Congress,  a  Judge  of  the  District  Court,  and  also  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  this  State.  He  only  held  the  office  about  nine  months,  and  during 
his  term  the  office  was  located  in  the  northeastern  corner  of  the  Public  Square  in  the  same 
rooms  now  occupied  by  the  Post  Office. 

The  third  Postmaster  was  Thomas  B.  Dick,  who  was  appointed  July  ist,  1798,  during 
the  term  of  President  John  Adams,  and  held  the  office  nearly  four  years.  He  was  a  lawyer  of 
prominence  and  an  inveterate  practical  joker,  the  legends  of  the  bar  yet  telling  of  some  of 
his  pleasantries  at  the  expense  of  his  fellow  practitioners.  During  his  term  the  office  was 
located,  most  probably,  in  the  stone  building  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Northampton  and 
Fifth  streets,  recently  torn  down,  to  make  way  for  the  brick  building  of  Mr.  H.  J.  Boyer. 

The  fourth  Postmaster  was  Hon.  George  Wolf,  who  was  appointed  April  ist,  1802, 
during  the  term  of  President  Jefferson;  he  retained  the  office,  however,  only  one  year.  He 
was  a  lawyer  of  great  prominence,  was  clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court,  a  member  of  the 
Legislature,  a  member  of  Congress  for  three  terms,  and  Governor  of  the  State  twice, 
Comptroller  of  the  Treasury  under  President  Van  Buren,  and  Collector  of  the  Port  of 
Philadelphia.  During  his  term  the  post-office  was  probably  located  at  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  the  Public  Square  and  Pomfret  (N.  Third)  street,  in  the  building  now  the  office  and 
residence  of  Drs.  Henry  and  John  J.  Detweiller. 

The  fifth  Postmaster  was  John  Knauss,  who  was  appointed  April  ist,  1803,  during 
the  term  of  President  Jefferson,  and  held  the  office  a  little  over  ten  years,  during  the 
remainder  of  Jefferson's  term  and  part  of  Madison's.  He  was  by  business  a  harness  maker 
and  saddler,  and  kept  the  Post  Office  in  an  old  stone  building  on  the  North  side  of  North- 
ampton street,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets,  on  the  lot  immediately  west  of  the 
Northampton  County  National  Bank. 

The  sixth  Postmaster  was  Philip  H.  Mattes,  who  was  appointed  May  8th,  1813,  during 
the  term  of  President  Madison,  and  held  the  office  fifteen  years,  during  the  tenns  of  Pres- 
idents Madison,  Monroe  and  John  Quincy  Adams.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen,  a 
scrivener  of  note,  and  for  many  years  Cashier  of  the  Branch  Bank  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  afterwards  made  Register  of  the  County,  and  for  many  years  Actuary  of  the 
Dime  Savings  Bank.  During  his  term  the  Post  Office  was  located  in  the  building  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Centre  Square  and  Northampton  street,  in  the  room  now  occupied  by 
Samuel  Drinkhouse's  hat  store,  the  rooms  then  being  divided  into  two,  the  Post  Office 
being  the  eastern  one  thereof,  fronting  on  Northampton  street. 

The  seventh  Postmaster  was  Abraham  Horn,  who  was  appointed  March  9th,  1829, 
during  the  term  of  President  Jackson,  and  continued  in  office  for  ten  years,  during  the 
Presidency  of  Andrew  Jack.son  and  Martin  Van  Buren.  until  his  death.  He  was  by 
business  a  carpenter  and  builder.  In  the  war  of  1812,  he  was  captain  of  a  company  raised 
in  this  county,  in  which  compau)-,  b)-  the  way,  Capt.  Horn  had  six  brothers  and  a  brother- 
in-law  ;  he  was  also  a  member  of  the  Legislature  ;  he  first  had  the  office  on  the  south  side  of 


E ASTON,  PENN'A. 


i8i 


Northampton  street  above  Fourth,  a  few  doors  below  the  Franklin  House,  then  the  "Green 
Tree  Hotel,"  in  the  room  occupied  by  E.  B.  Mack  as  a  stove  store  ;  about  four  years  after 
he  removed  the  office  to  the  north  side  of  the  same  street,  almost  directly  opposite  the 
former  location,  to  the  room  now  occupied  by  Daniel  L.  Kutz  as  a  saddlery  findings  store; 
and  afterwards  to  the  frame  building  on  the  same  side  of  the  street,  a  few  doors  above  Bank 
street,  where  now  is  the  dry  goods  house  of  Rader  &  Bro. ;  where  it  was  located  at  the 
time  of  his  decease. 

The  eighth  Postmaster  was  Abraham  Coryell,  son-in-law  of  Capt.  Horn,  the  late 
Postmaster,  who  was  appointed  May  21st,  1839,  during  the  term  of  President  Van  Buren, 
and  who  held  the  office  a  little  over  nine  vears.     Mr.  Corvell  was  b^'  business  a  marble 


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VIEW   OF   THE    EASTON   POST  OFFICE — It 


worker.  During  his  term  the  office  rose  to  the  dignity  of  a  Presidential  office,  i.  e.,  an 
office  where  the  Postmaster  is  appointed  not  by  the  Postmaster  General,  but  by  the  Presi- 
dent, and  confirmed  by  the  Senate.  This  change  occurred  February  loth,  1840,  and  Mr. 
Coryell  being  then  the  incumbent,  was  recommissioned  by  President  Van  Buren,  February 
loth,  1840,  served  during  the  balance  of  his  term,  during  the  term  of  President  Harrison, 
and  in  part  of  President  Tyler's,  who  reappointed  him  June  12th,  1844,  and  he  continued 
to  hold  the  office  during  the  balance  of  President  Tyler's  term,  and  the  greater  part  of 
President  Polk's.  During  his  term  as  Postmaster  the  office  was  located  in  a  frame  build- 
ing in  the  southeast  part  of  Centre  Square,  on  the  lot  where  the  First  National  Bank  now 
stands. 

The  ninth  Postmaster  was  John  J.  Herster,  who  was  appointed  by  President  Polk, 


i82  THE  HISTORY   OF 

June  i2th,  1848,  and  heldhisoffi.ee  eleven  months.  During  his  term  the  office  was  located 
in  the  old  stone  building  of  Mrs.  Peter  Pomp,  on  the  south  side  of  Northampton  street, 
below  Fourth,  on  the  lot  where  Abie's  Opera  House  now  stands,  and  about  where  P.  A. 
Shimer's  clothing  store  is  situated. 

The  tenth  Postmaster  was  Benjamin  F.  Amdt,  who  was  appointed  by  President 
Taylor,  May  9th,  1849,  ^"^^  held  the  office  during  Taylor's  and  Filmore's  administrations, 
until  April,  1853.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  afterwards  Clerk  of  the 
Orphans'  Court  of  this  county,  and  for  many  years  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  During  his 
term  the  office  was  located  on  the  west  side  of  South  Third  street,  between  Ferrj-  and 
Pine,  where  now  is  Garren  &  Son's  restaurant. 

The  eleventh  Postmaster  was  John  J.  Herster,  who  had  been  in  office  previously  to 
Esq.  Arndt,  for  a  period  of  eleven  months.  He  was  appointed  April  4th,  1853,  by  Presi- 
dent Pierce,  and  held  the  office  until  April  20th,  1857.  He  kept  the  office  on  the  south 
side  of  Northampton  street,  between  Sitgreaves  street  and  Centre  Square,  in  the  room  now 
occupied  by  W.  H.  Hazzard,  as  a  paper  hangings  store. 

The  twelfth  Postmaster  was  Col.  William  H.  Hutter,  who  was  appointed  April  20th, 
1857,  by  President  Buchanan,  and  held  the  office  until  March,  1861.  He  was  for  a  long 
series  of  years  proprietor  and  editor  of  the  Easton  Argus,  and  afterwards  Cashier  of  the 
Northampton  County  National  Bank,  and  President  of  the  Board  of  Prison  Inspectors. 
During  his  term  the  office  was  located  in  the  stone  building  on  the  north  side  of  North- 
ampton street  between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets,  opposite  the  Franklin  House,  in  the  room 
now  occupied  by  Hamilton  &  Co.,  as  a  shoe  store. 

The  thirteenth  Postmaster  was  Dr.  Charles  C.  Jennings,  who  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  jVIarch  27,  1861,  and  held  the  office  until  March  20th,  1865.  He  was  a 
prominent  physician  of  large  practice.  During  his  term  the  office  was  located  in  the  brick 
building  at  the  northeast  corner  of  South  Third  and  Pine  streets,  in  the  room  now  occupied 
by  Solon  Phillippe  as  a  sportsman's  emporium. 

The  fourteenth  Postmaster  was  Capt.  John  J.  Horn,  a  school  teacher  and  land  sur\-eyor, 
who  was  a  gallant  soldier  during  the  Rebellion,  serving  as  Captain  of  Company  E,  41st 
Regiment  (Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Reser\-es).  He  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln, 
March  20th,  1865,  and  held  the  office  until  his  death,  in  the  spring  of  1869.  He  re- 
tained the  office  at  the  same  place  in  which  it  was  located  during  Dr.  Jenning's  incum- 
bency. Capt.  Horn  died  while  in  office,  and  he  and  his  uncle,  Abraham  Horn,  are  the  only 
Postmasters  who  have  died  while  occupying  the  office.  During  the  term  of  Capt.  Horn,  the 
Money  Order  Business  was  extended  to  Easton. 

The  fifteenth  Postmaster  was  James  L.  INIingle,  a  Telegrapher  and  Superintendent  of 
Telepraph  Construtlion,  who  was  appointed  by  President  Grant,  April  20th,  1869,  and 
held  the  office  until  November  187 1.  He  kept  the  office  at  the  same  place  as  under  the 
two  preceding  Postmasters. 

The  sixteenth  Postmaster,  and  present  incumbent,  is  James  K.  Dawes,  a  lawyer,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  publisher  of  the  Free  Press,  who  was  appointed  by  President  Grant, 
November  i6th,  1871,  and  reappointed  by  the  .same  President,  December  15,  1875;  again 
reappointed  by  President  Hayes,  January  8th,  1880;  and  again  by  President  Arthur,  Jan- 
uary 16,  1884,  being  the  only  Postmaster  of  the  Borough  who  has  ever  .served  under  fi\-e 
different   Presidents — his  service  being  under  Presidents  Grant,    Hayes,  Garfield,    .\rthur 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  183 

and  Cleveland.  Shortly  after  his  appointment  he  removed  the  office  to  the  Northeast  cor- 
ner of  Centre  Square,  at  the  corner  of  Hay's  Place,  to  the  room  now  occupied  by  it,  and 
the  identical  room  occupied  by  the  post-office  in  1797,  ninety  years  ago.  During  Mr. 
Dawes'  term  it  was  made  a  General  International  Money  Order  office,  empowered  to  issue 
Money  Orders  on  all  the  leading  Foreign  Countries,  and  also,  October  i,  1885,  a  Special 
Messenger  or  Immediate  Delivery  office.  It  was  also  during  his  term,  December  i,  1873 
— thirteen  years  since — Easton  was  designated  as  a  Free  Delivery  or  lyCtter  Carrier  office, 
the  Post  Office  at  South  Easton  being  discontinued,  and  the  limits  of  the  "Easton"  office 
extended  so  as  to  include  Easton,  South  Easton  and  Glendon. 

The  extension  of  the  Free  Delivery  System  to  Easton  has,  undoubtedly,  been  one  of 
the  most  important  events  in  the  history  of  our  Borough,  and  has  proved  an  almost  indis- 
pensable convenience  to  the  citizens,  and  they  have  so  generally  availed  themselves  of  its 
use  as  to  win  for  Easton,  the  reputation,  in  the  Post  Office  department,  of  "being"  the 
"Boss  Letter  Carrier  Office  in  the  United  States,"  out  of  the  very  large  population  of  the 
three  towns  in  its  limits,  there  being  only  six  parties — and  not  one  of  them  in  business — 
who  use  boxes  in  the  Post  Office,  all  the  rest  having  their  mail  matter  delivered  by  the 
carriers.  The  service  is  performed  by  seven  carriers,  who  make  thirty-six  deliveries  and 
forty-five  collections  of  letters  daily,  the  first  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  the  last  at 
half-past  six  in  the  evening.  At  convenient  locations  throughout  the  town,  one  hundred 
and  three  letter-boxes  have  been  placed  for  the  reception  of  mail  matter ;  among  these 
boxes  are  four  very  ornamental  ones,  on  iron  posts,  located  in  Centre  Square,  from  which 
colle6lions  are  made  every  hour,  that  fact  being  announced  by  gilt  inscriptions  on  the  box 
in  seven  different  languages,  viz:  English,  French,  Spanish,  Italian,  German,  Russian  and 
Chinese.  These  boxes  were  eredled  as  a  Memorial  of  "The  Centennial,"  having  been  used 
during  the  Great  Exhibition  in  the  Main  Building,  and  being  sent  to  Easton  at  the  close 
of  the  Centennial,  as  a  memorial  thereof,  through  the  kindness  of  Hon.  George  W.  Fair- 
man,  then  Postmaster  of  Philadelphia.  Of  these  boxes  Easton  is  justly  very  proud,  no 
other  city  save  Philadelphia,  being  the  fortunate  possessor  of  like  reminders  of  the  Cen- 
tennial Anniversary  of  the  Nation. 

As  in  perusing  the  present  history  of  this  county  it  has  been  found  of  interest  to  note 
the  size  and  commercial  standing  of  Easton  at  different  periods  of  its  early  history,  it  is 
deemed  proper  to  give  here  such  notes  as  will  show  to  those  who  may  read  this  history 
fifty  or  a  hundred  years  hence,  what  the  amount  of  Postal  business  done  at  Easton,  at 
present  is,  and  who  the  residents  are,  connedled  therewith.  During  the  Postal  year  ending 
November  30,  1886,  there  were  delivered  by  the  carriers,  879,136  letters,  191,251  Postal 
cards,  145,105  local  letters  and  postal  cards,  and  567,150  newspapers,  a  total  delivery  of 
1,769,641  pieces;  and  there  were  colleciled  during  the  same  time,  584,518  letters,  191,405 
postal  cards,  and  36,249  newspapers,  a  total  colledlion  of  812,172  pieces;  or  a  total  of 
pieces  delivered  and  colletled,  of  2,581,813.  There  were  issued  3204  Domestic  Money 
Orders,  amounting  to  $39,310.09;  214  Foreign  Money  Orders  amounting  to  $2,371.50,  and 
1998  Postal  Notes  amounting  to  $3558.12;  and  there  were  paid  3127  Domestic  Money 
Orders  amounting  to  $36,041.78;  82  Foreign  Money  Orders  amounting  to  $1364.23,  and 
2591  Postal  Notes  amounting  to  $5,599.65,  or  a  total  of  11,216,  amounting  to  $88,245.35. 
The  International,  or  Foreign,  Money  Orders  were  distributed  as  follows,  viz:  British, 
105  ;  German,  105;  Canadian,  64;  Swiss,  9;  Italian  4;  South  Wales,  3;  New  Zealand,  2; 


i84  THE  HISTORY  OF 

French,  i;  Hawaiian  Islands,  i;  Victoria,  i;  Tasmania,  i.  This,  in  connecftion  with  the 
fact  that  fifteen  Railway  Post  offices  have  Easton  as  a  terminal  or  diredl  supply  office, 
will  be,  to  future  readers  of  this  histor}-,  one  of  the  very  best  proofs  of  the  business 
relations  and  commercial  importance  of  Easton. 

The  officials  conneded  with  the  Post  Office  at  the  date  of  writing,  Dec.  lo,  1886,  are 
as  follows,  the  date  of  commencement  of  service  being  given  after  the  name  in  each  case, 
viz  : 

Postmaster,  James  K.  Dawes  (Nov.   16,  1871). 

Assistant  Postmaster  and  Registry  Clerk,  Frederick  S.  Stem,  (July  8,  1878);  Mailing 
Clerk,  James  Ballantyne,  (July  i,  1876);  Distributing  Clerk,  Walter  S.  Kitchen,  (Sept.  i, 
1882);  Money  Order  Clerk,  M.  Ella  Sheridan,  (Oct.  23,  1883);  Stamp  and  Deliver)-  Clerk, 
Sallie  A.  Peters,  (July  7,  1886);  Assistant  Distributing  Clerk,  Harry  W.  Drake,  (Nov.  17, 
1886);  Assistant  Stamp  and  Delivery  Clerk,  Anna  M.  Johnson,  (Nov.  12,  1886);  Night 
Clerk  and  Watchman,  Daniel  L.  Nicholas,  (OAober  i,  1883);  Clerk  at  Chain  Dam  Sta- 
tion, Charles  W.  Laudenberg,  (July  i,  1885);  Local  R.  P.  O.  Transfer  Clerk,  Charles 
Freeman,  (June — ,  18 — );  Local  Mail  Messenger,  Henr>-  Shipman,  (July  i,  1884);  Letter 
Carriers,  John  C.  Dittler,  (Dec.  i,  1873);  Jeremiah  Helick,  (Dec.  i,  1873);  Jolm  J-  Gang- 
were,  (Dec.  3,  1873);  William  P.  Horn,  (Dec.  8,  1873);  Samuel  Arnold,  (Jan.  15,  1878); 
John  H.  Horning,  (Jan.  i,  1881);  Isaac  E.  Smith,  (Nov.  21,  1883);  Substitute  Letter  Car- 
riers, J.  Henry  Waltman,  (Dec.  23,  1884);  Henr>'  E.  Ealer,  (June  4,  1886);  Harry  O. 
Weaver,  (June  15,  1886). 

Of  the  si.xteen  Postmasters  who  have  filled  the  office  since  its  establishment,  only  three 
are  now  living,  viz  :  Col.  William  H.  Hutter,  James  L.  Mingle  and  James  K.  Dawes. 

[For  assistance  extended  the  writer  of  this  article,  and  for  \-aluable  information  fur- 
nished, the  Editor  is  indebted  to  the  late  Hon.  A.  D.  Hazen,  Third  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Washington,  D.  C,  himself  a  native  of  this  County — Lower  Mt.  Bethel  Town- 
ship— and  to  Wilking  B.  Cooley,  Esq.,  a  native  of  Easton,  formerly  Money  Order  Clerk 
in  the  Easton  Post  Office  (1876-1878)  and  now  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Money  Order  System 
of  the  United  States,  Washington,  D.  C.  ] 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  185 

REV.  NICHOLAS   POMP. 

Nicholas  Pomp,  a  native  of  Germany,  father  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pomp,  of  Easton, 
and  a  very  prominent  man  among  the  German  Reformed  ministers  who  labored  in  this 
country  during  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century,  was  born  January  20th,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1734.  He  passed  through  a  regular  course  of  scientific  and  theological  training 
for  the  sacred  office,  at  the  University  of  Halle;  after  which  he  was  sent  to  this  country, 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Fathers  in  Holland,  A.  D.  1760. 

Mr.  Pomp's  first  charge  was  Faulkner  Swamp,  and  affiliated  congregations.  In  the 
first  statistical  table  extant,  in  which  his  name  appears  (1770),  he  is  put  down  as  conne6led 
with  Faulkner  Swamp  ;  and  he  confirmed  in  that  year,  in  his  charge,  fifty-one  persons. 
Judging  from  the  progress  exhibited  in  the  statistical,  so  far  as  extant,  his  ministry  must 
have  been  successful.     In  1777,  we  find  he  confirmed  seventy-nine. 

In  1783,  Mr.  Pomp  accepted  a  call  to  the  congregation  in  Baltimore,  and  preached  his 
introductory  sermon  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  September  of  that  year.  He  entered  upon 
his  duties  in  the  new  field,  under  disadvantages,  arising  from  the  state  of  the  congregation 
at  the  time.  The  difficulty  alluded  to  was  a  serious  division  in  the  congregation  existing 
when  he  took  charge  of  it  and  which  lasted  many  years  after  he  left.  During  his  pastorate 
at  Baltimore  the  people  built  a  new  church,  but  the  difficulty  was  not  healed,  and  he 
closed  his  pastorate  November  15,  1789;  and  after  a  few  more  years  of  toil,  by  reason  of 
infirmities,  he  came  to  Easton  to  spend  the  evening  of  his  life  with  his  son  Thomas. 

Though  he  was  without  a  regular  charge,  yet  such  was  his  fondness  for  preaching 
that  he  continued  to  preach  whenever  an  opportunity  was  afforded  him.  For  a  while  he 
supplied  several  congregations  in  the  neighborhood  of  Easton.  In  visiting  these  on  one 
occasion  he  fell  from  his  horse,  by  which  accident  he  received  an  injury  which  rendered  it 
impossible  for  him  afterwards  to  ride,  either  on  horse  or  in  a  carriage.  The  people  to 
whom  he  preached,  however,  were  so  anxious  to  hear  him,  that  they  made  arrangements 
to  have  him  carried  by  four  men,  on  a  litter,  a  distance  of  from  twelve  to  fifteen  miles. 
This  was  done  several  times. 

Though  feeble  in  body,  Mr.  Pomp  still  lived  a  number  of  years  later  than  this.  He 
died  in  Easton,  Sept.  i,  1819.  He  was  buried  by  the  side  of  his  wife  in  the  German 
Reformed  cemetery  in  Easton,  where  a  stone  with  the  following  memorial  marks  his 
grave : 

IN 
MEMORY  OF 

REV.  NICHOLAS  POMP, 

Who  was  Born 

Jan.  20th,  A.  D.  1734, 

And   Departed  this   Life 

Sept    I,  A.  D.   1819. 

Aged  85  Years,  7  Months 

and  27  Days. 

During  a  large  part  of  Father  Pomp's  ministr>',  he  preached  at  Plainfield  as  one  of 
the  Stations.  One  beautiful  Sabbath  morning,  as  he  was  riding  quietly  on  his  way,  he 
saw  two  young  men  of  his  congregation  with  their  guns  hunting  pigeons.     The  young 


i86  THE  HISTORY  OF 

men  saw  their  pastor  coining,  and  at  once  laid  their  guns  down  behind  a  log  by  the  way- 
side, and  were  walking  very  innocently  as  their  pastor  rode  along.  At  that  moment  a  large 
flock  of  pigeons  alighted  in  the  top  of  a  tree  close  at  hand.  Father  Pomp  obser\'ed  their 
guns  so  quietly  laid  behind  the  log,  and  exclaimed:  Boys,  hand  me  one  of  those  guns; 
the  blushing  lads  went  for  their  guns,  and  Father  Pomp  went  for  the  pigeons,  fired  and  brought 
down  a  goodly  number.  And  with  a  pleasant  smile,  Mr.  Pomp  said,  boys,  you  must 
kill  pigeons  when  they  are  here,  you  cannot  kill  them  when  they  are  not  here.  Take 
them  right  home  to  your  mother  and  tell  her  to  cook  them  for  my  dinner. 


REV.  THOMAS   POMP. 

Seldom,  indeed,  and  only  at  long  and  uncertain  intervals,  does  the  history'  of  the  church 
furnish  us  with  a  man  whose  private  and  public  life  presents  so  beautiful  and  faultless  a 
picture  as  that  of  the  venerable  Thomas  Pomp.  His  kind  and  amiable  disposition,  sim- 
plicity and  gentleness  of  spirit,  and  his  many  other  excellent  social  and  domestic  quali- 
ties, place  him  among  the  most  eminent  of  the  honored  class  of  men  whose  lives  are 
distinguished  for  their  evenness  of  tenor,  quietness  and  peaceful  relations  with  all  man- 
kind. Few  men,  if  any,  surpassed  him  in  these  respects.  All  the  accounts  we  have  heard 
or  seen  of  him  uniformly  bear  testimony  to  his  superior  excellence  and  transceudant 
virtues. 

Thomas  Pomp  was  the  only  son  of  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Pomp.  He  was  bom  on  the 
4th  dav  of  February,  1773,  in  Skippack  Township,  Montgomery  County,  Pennsylvania, 
where  his  father  was  then  living,  being  in  charge  of  several  German  Reformed  congrega- 
tions in  that  secflion. 

The  early  childhood  of  Mr.  Pomp  was  passed  amid  the  quiet  scenes  and  innocent 
sports  of  country  life.  When  about  ten  years  of  age  his  father  received  a  call  from  the 
German  Reformed  Church  in  the  City  of  Baltimore,  and  removed  with  his  little  family  to 
that  place  in  1783.  With  this  change  in  his  outward  circumstances  and  relations,  the  life 
and  habits  of  little  Thomas  must  have  changed  very  considerably.  His  later  childhood 
and  youth,  at  a  period  when  the  deepest  and  most  lasting  impressions  are  made,  were  thus 
spent  amidst  the  busy  and  ever-shifting  scenes  of  city  life.  His  facilities  for  acquiring  an 
English  education  were  correspondingly  greater  here  than  in  his  country  home;  and  this, 
added  to  the  general  advantage  of  city  life,  had  doubtless  much  to  do  with  the  formation 
of  his  Christian  character  and  the  cultivation  of  his  mind.  Intelledlually,  as  well  as 
morally,  he  stood  and  grew  up  in  the  midst  of  the  most  favorable  surroundings.  His 
higher  literars-  and  theological  studies  he  pursued  principalh-,  if  not  wholly,  under  the 
immediate  care  and  supervision  of  his  devoted  and  accomplished  father,  who  was  now, 
since  1790,  pastor  of  some  congregations  near  the  place  of  his  earliest  ministerial  labors 
in  Eastern  Pennsylvania. 

In  the  year  1793,  when  only  twenty  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  holy  ministry,  to  the 
great  joy  and  satisfaction  of  his  pious  parents,  who,  it  seems,  had  steadily  and  with  deep 
concern  looked  forward  to  this  event.     In  the  same  year  he  became  pastor  of  several  Ger- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  187 

man  Reformed  congregations  in  Montgomery  county,  Penna.  He  remained  in  this  first 
field  only  about  three  years,  when  he  resigned  the  charge  and  accepted  a  call  to  Easton, 
Penna.,  entering  upon  his  duties  in  the  month  of  July,  1796.  The  charge  consisted 
originally  of  four  congregations — namely,  Easton,  Plainfield,  Dryland,  Upper  Mt.  Bethel. 
In  this  extensive  charge  he  continued  to  labor  faithfully  and  with  universal  acceptance  to 
the  close  of  his  long  life— a  period  of  fifty-six  years.  Several  changes,  however,  were 
made  in  his  field  toward  the  close  of  his  ministry.  In  the  year  1833,  after  ministering  to 
this  people  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  he  gave  up  the  congregation  in  Lower  Saucon, 
which  up  to  this  time  had  formed  a  part  of  his  charge.  This  gave  him  some  relief,  and 
lessened  to  some  extent  the  excessive  labors  of  his  calling.  Father  Pomp  had  already 
been  in  the  ministry'  over  forty  years,  and  began  seriously  to  feel  the  effecfls  of  excessive 
labor  and  the  pressure  of  advancing  years.  He  greatly  needed  rest,  and  eminently  deserved 
to  be  relieved  of  some  part  of  the  burden  which  rested  so  heavily  upon  him.  The  people 
whom  he  had  so  long  and  so  faithfully  served  were  not  insensible  to  his  merits,  and  felt 
disposed  to  do  what  was  right  in  the  case.  Steps  were  accordingly  taken  to  procure  him 
some  assistance.  The  Rev.  Bernard  C.  Wolff,  who  was  then  just  entering  upon  his  min- 
isterial course,  became  associate  pastor  with  him  in  his  Easton  congregation.  This 
arrangement  was  rendered  necessary  by  the  gradual  introducftion  and  general  prevalence 
of  the  English  language  among  the  citizens  of  the  place,  as  well  as  the  increasing  infirmi- 
ties, advanced  age  and  excessive  labors  of  Father  Pomp. 

Owing  to  the  same  general  causes — his  age  and  infirmities — he  was  induced  in  the 
year  1848  or  1849  to  resjgn  the  Plainfield  congregation,  the  most  distant  point  in  his  exten- 
sive charge.  A  few  years  later,  in  1850  or  1851,  and  for  like  reasons,  an  assistant  was 
appointed  to  the  Dryland,  or  Hecktown  congregation  ;  and  about  the  same  time,  or  proba- 
bly a  little  earlier,  he  was  also  kindly  relieved  from  the  adlive  duties  of  the  ministry  in 
the  church  at  Easton,  while,  however,  he  still  continued  to  retain  his  former  pastoral  rela- 
tion with  some  provision  for  his  support,  if  we  mistake  not,  up  the  time  of  his  death.  It 
was  with  extreme  relu6lance,  as  we  have  been  often  told,  that  the  aged  patriarch  con- 
sented to  give  up  preaching  "the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God"  to  the  dear  people  whom 
he  had  so  long  and  faithfully,  and  also  with  such  universal  acceptance,  served ;  and  to 
whom,  accordingly,  he  was  bound  by  the  strongest  and  tenderest  ties  of  Christain  love 
and  affedlion.  In  fa6l,  all  of  the  members  of  his  charge,  with  but  few  exceptions,  had 
been  baptized,  instruAed  and  confirmed  by  him,  and  many  of  them  also  married  during 
his  a6live  ministry  of  more  than  half  a  century  among  them. 

Few  men  have  ever  labored  so  long  among  a  people  with  such  unabated  attachment 
and  acceptance.  Every  person  within  the  bounds  of  his  extensive  charge,  even  now  that 
he  is  dead  and  gone,  speaks  still  of  the  aged  and  venerable  pastor,  whose  image  still  lin- 
gers, like  a  vision  of  beauty,  in  the  memory  of  his  grateful  parishioners.  Amidst  the 
incessant  changes  and  confusion  which  so  frequently  obtained  sway  in  congregations  and 
pastoral  changes  now-a-days,  it  is  pleasant  and  truly  refreshing  to  meet  with  an  instance 
of  such  warm  and  lasting  attachment  and  rare  fidelity  to  an  aged  and  worn-out  pastor. 
It  shows  what  a  stronghold  the  faithful  and  loving  shepherd  had  upon  their  hearts  and 
afie<aions  in  the  earlier  and  more  a<flive  period  of  his  ministerial  life  and  labors  in 
their  midst. 

During  his  public  ministry,  extending  over  fifty-nine  years  or  upwards.  Father  Pomp 


i88  THE  HISTORY  OF 

baptized  7,870  persons;  confirmed  3,616  ;  married  2,059  couple  ;  and  buried  1,670.  These 
figures,  taken  in  connedlion  with  what  has  been  already  said  of  the  exposure  and  the 
many  thousands  of  miles  of  travel,  through  heat  and  cold,  over  hill  and  dale,  will  enable 
us  to  form  some  idea  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  his  official  labor. 

As  regards  the  general  chara<fter,  private  and  public,  of  Father  Pomp,  we  deem  it 
unnecessary  to  add  much  to  what  has  been  already  said.  His  numerous  friends  through- 
out the  extensive  region  of  countrs-  over  which  his  ministerial  aftivity  extended  are  the 
best  evidence  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  people  of  his  own  charge, 
as  well  as  by  others  who  enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance.  Wherever  you  go 
among  the  people  of  his  field  of  labor,  the  name  of  Father  Pomp,  as  he  was  familiarly 
called,  is  mentioned  with  reverence  and  affe<5lion.  Many  of  the  more  aged  of  the  'Dry- 
land  and  Plainfield  congregations,  even  to  this  day,  love  to  relate  the  little  incidents  which 
occurred  in  their  former  acquaintance  and  intercourse  with  their  beloved  pastor ;  and 
these  pleasant  incidents  are  almost  universally  illustrative  of  his  good  nature,  innocence 
and  genial  spirit,  and  of  the  esteem  and  friendship  which  these  excellent  qualities  inspired. 
Never  during  all  our  extensive  intercourse  with  those  simple  hearted  people,  while  preach- 
ing among  them  the  gospel  of  Christ,  did  we  hear  a  single  unkind  word  spoken  or  a  dis- 
paraging remark  made  in  reference  to  their  aged  pastor  and  friend. 

Such  a  chara(5ler,  sustained  and  kept  pure  and  unsullied  during  a  period  of  more  than 
half  a  century  of  private  and  public  intercourse  with  the  people  of  his  charge,  constitutes 
the  best  and  noblest  monument  that  any  man  living  or  dying  could  desire. 

Father  Pomp,  so  far  as  we  could  learn,  was  not  a  man  of  brilliant  parts,  extraordi- 
nary talents,  or  extensive  acquirements.  Both  his  natural  endowments,  as  well  as  his 
literary  and  theological  attainments,  were  of  an  ordinary  charadler.  His  preaching  was 
of  a  plain  and  pracftical  kind,  distinguished  for  its  kindly  and  genial  spirit  rather  than 
for  its  depth  or  power.  His  labors,  however,  both  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit,  were  always 
acceptable  to  the  people  of  his  charge ;  and  his  long  continued  and  unabated  popularity 
shows  conclusively  that  he  was  not  wholly  destitute  of  those  higher  intellecflual  qualities 
which  secure  and  maintain  a  controlling  influence  over  the  minds  and  hearts  of  men. 

The  great  extent  of  his  charge,  and  the  distance  of  his  country  congregations  from 
his  place  of  residence,  not  onl)-  proved  burdensome  to  him,  but  also  interfered  very  mater- 
ially with  his  usefulness.  It  is  hard  indeed  to  understand  how  those  venerable  men,  the 
early  fathers  of  the  church,  could  at  all  get  round  amongst  the  people,  and  accomplish 
anything  of  account  in  the  way  of  diredl  pastoral  labor.  Every  four  weeks  only,  as  a 
general  rule,  could  they  visit  the  members  of  their  county  churches,  and  then  frequently 
only  on  Sunday,  when  the  whole  of  their  time  and  strength  was  required  to  fill  the  regular 
preaching  appointments.  Perhaps  a  few  hours,  at  most,  could  be  spent  in  visiting  the 
people  committed  to  their  spiritual  care  and  supervision  during  such  a  trip.  Even  then 
they  left  their  homes  on  Saturday  and  did  not  return  again  until  Monday;  only  a  small  and 
insignificant  portion  of  their  members  could  be  reached  and  benefited  by  direcft  personal 
intercourse  with  them.  Considering  also  the  large  number  of  funerals  which  would  natur- 
ally occur  in  so  large  a  distridl  and  require  the  pastor's  attention,  we  cannot  wonder  that 
in  this  way  of  strictly  pastoral  visitation  and  influence  so  much  had  to  be  either  wholly 
negledled  or  but  imperfedlly  performed.  These  things  are  mentioned  in  this  connection 
for  the  purpose  of  accounting  for  the  comparatively  backward  state  of  our  churches  gener- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  189 

ally  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  among  the  rest,  those  which  were  formerly  served  by 
Father  Pomp. 

The  good  men  who  labored  and  toiled  in  those  extensive  fields  and  under  such 
immense  disadvantage  had  of  necessity  to  leave  much  good  unaccomplished.  For  what 
under  the  circumstances  adlually  was  done  they  merit  the  lasting  gratitude  of  those  among 
whom  they  lived  and  labored.  Their  extensive  labors  and  herculean  efforts  deserve  to  be 
kept  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

Father  Pomp,  after  "having  served  his  generation,"  and  accomplished  the  work 
entrusted  to  him,  was  "gathered  to  his  people"  in  a  good  old  age,  full  of  years  and  weary 
of  life,  like  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe  for  the  harvest.  He  died  at  his  residence  in  Eastou, 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  22d  day  of  April,  1852,  aged  79  years,  2  months  and  18  days. 

On  the  succeeding  Sunday  his  remains,  followed  by  an  immense  concourse  of  sorrow- 
ing friends,  were  reverently  carried  out  and  deposited  in  their  quiet  resting  place  in  the 
Easton  Cemetery.  On  this  solemn  and  interesting  occasion  a  suitable  discourse  was 
delivered  by  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Hoffeditz  in  German,  and  another  one  in  English  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Gray.  On  the  next  Lord's  day  an  appropriate  funeral  sermon,  with  special 
reference  to  the  life  and  labors  of  the  deceased,  was  preached  in  the  German  Reformed 
Church  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  A.  Bomberger.  Thus  were  the  solemnities  of  this  sad  occasion 
brought  to  a  close.  Long  will  the  day  of  his  burial  and  the  impressive  services  therewith 
connedled  be  remembered  by  the  people  of  Easton,  and  especially  by  the  members  of  the 
German  Reformed  Church. 

"  Thus  star  by  star  declines, 
'Till  all  are  passed  away, 
As  morning  high  and  higher  shines 
To  pure  and  perfecft  day  ; 
Nor  sink  those  stars  in  empty  night. 
But  hide  themselves  in  heaven's  own  light." 

On  the  spot  where  his  remains  were  originally  deposited  the  members  of  his  charge 
have  eredled  a  beautiful  marble  monument,  as  an  evidence  of  their  affecflionate  regard  for 
him,  who,  while  living,  broke  unto  them  the  "bread  of  life,"  the  pledge  of  a  blissful 
immortality  and  "reunion  in  heaven." 

Through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Abraham  Kind,  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  we  have  been 
furnished  the  following  description  of  it : 

The  monument  stands  near  the  centre  of  the  cemetery,  in  and  close  to  the  angle 
formed  by  the  east  and  south  walks,  and  about  fifty  yards  from  the  gate  leading  into  the 
cemetery  from  Fifth  street.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  pyramid,  divided  into  two  parts.  The 
frustum  has  four  faces,  on  three  of  which  are  found  the  inscriptions  which  I  inclose.  The 
top  or  upper  half  of  the  frustum  rests  on  an  ornamental  base ;  in  all  it  is  about  ten  feet 
high,  simple  in  its  structure  and  beautifully  characteristic  of  the  man  in  whose  honor  it 
has  been  eredled.     On  the  several  faces  of  the  frustum  are  the  following  inscriptions  : 

West  Side.— In  memory  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pomp,  son  of  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Pomp. 
He  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  4,  1773,  and  died  April  22, 
1852,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  59th  year  of  his  ministry. 

North  Side.— The  only  son  of  one  of  the  founders  of  the  German  Reformed  Church 


igo  THE  HISTORY  OF 

in  America.  He  early  consecrated  himself  to  the  services  of  the  church  of  his  father. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  in  1793.  In  July,  1796,  he  became  pastor 
of  the  German  Reformed  Church  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
that  congregation  until  enfeebled  by  age  and  called  to  an  eternal  reward.  His  long  and 
arduous  ministerial  labors  and  personal  worth  will  ever  be  held  in  effectionate  remem- 
brance by  a  grateful  people. 

South  Side. — Erecfled  by  the  congregation. 


PHILIP  MIXSELL. 

[Easton  Argus,  March,  1869.] 

A  VERY  constant  and  certainly  one  of  the  most  welcome  visitors  to  my  sandlum  for 
the  last  quarter  of  a  century  has  been  our  venerable  fellow  citizen  Philip  Mixsell,  Sr. 
Mr.  Mixsell  is  now  the  oldest  living  resident  of  Easton.  He  was  bom  on  the  loth  of 
March,  1777,  and  was  consequently  92  years  of  age  on  the  loth  of  the  present  month. 
Although  confined  to  his  house  the  greater  part  of  the  winter  now  passing  away,  from  a 
slight  accident  which  injured  his  back,  and  a  severe  cold,  he  is  still  a  hearty  man.  His 
head  is  covered  with  a  thick  crop  of  white  hair,  his  eye-sight  is  good,  and  he  can  walk  as 
rapidly  as  a  man  of  forty.  He  is  in  many  respedls  a  remarkable  man.  He  writes  a  beau- 
tiful hand,  and  even  now  wields  as  steady  a  pen  as  a  man  of  twenty-one.  He  is  living  a 
link,  as  it  were,  binding  the  past  to  the  present  generation.  His  well  preser\-ed  body 
and  good  health  so  unusual  in  one  of  his  advanced  years  are  due  to  his  uniform  good 
habits,  his  abstemious  mode  of  living  and  his  contented  mind.  He  belongs  to  a  race  of 
men  who  inhabited  this  country  when  there  was  less  extravagance  and  less  pretension,  and 
more  solid  sense  and  plain  living  in  every  American  community.  He  has  repeatedly  told 
me  that  during  his  long  life  he  has  never  been  intoxicated  and  never  tasted  tobacco.  He 
was  systematic  on  this  subjedl  of  temperance,  but  used  good  liquor  when  he  thought  it 
was  good  for  him  to  do  so,  either  in  sickness  or  when  traveling.  But  he  never  abused  it 
and  never  seriously  felt  its  influence.  In  a  recent  inter\'iew  of  an  hour's  duration  with 
the  old  gentleman  I  took  down  the  following  notes,  thinking  they  would  be  interesting 
to  the  readers  of  the  Argus.     I  give  substantially  his  own  language  : 

"I  was  born  in  a  small  log  house  in  Williams  township,  some  three  or  four  hundred 
yards  below  Richards'  tavern,  on  the  Delaware  river.  My  fathers  name  was  Philip  Mix- 
.sell.  He  was  born  in  Conestoga  township,  Lancaster  county.  He  built  the  house  in 
which  I  was  born,  about  the  year  1736.  I  had  five  sisters  and  four  brothers,  all  of  whom 
are  dead.  My  youngest  sister  died  at  seventy,  my  yoimgest  brother  at  seventy-two.  My 
father  died  at  eighty-five,  and  one  of  my  brothers  at  ninety-two.  I  was  never  sick  ninety 
days  in  my  life,  and  when  I  think  that  my  old  limbs  have  carried  me  through  the  world 
for  nearly  one  hundred  years  I  wonder  that  they  have  not  given  out  long  ago.  I  was 
married  in  the  month  of  April,  1804.  I  never  had  but  nine  month's  schooling ;  went  to 
school  to  old  Mr.  Abrm.  Bachmah,  who  was  the  first  teacher  in  Easton,  and  who  taught 
school  in  an  old  stone  house  on  the  lot  now  occupied  by  Joseph  Sigman's  residence  on 


E ASTON,    PEJVN'A. 


191 


Fourth  street.  I  came  to  Easton  when  I  was  thirteen  years  of  age  and  engaged  to  attend 
store  for  my  brother.  After  remaining  with  him  four  years  I  went  into  the  late  Judge 
Wagoner's  store.  At  that  time  mercantile  pursuits  were  conducfled  on  a  different  principle. 
There  was  more  hard  work  attending  it,  and  men  in  business  did  not  become  rich  as 
rapidly  as  they  do  now.  Judge  Wagoner,  with  whom  I  afterwards  became  a  partner,  dealt 
largely  in  grain.  He  built  the  old  mill  on  the  Bushkill,  known  as  the  Wagoner  mill,  and 
lived  a  number  of  years  in  a  stone  house  up  the  Bushkill,  which  he  also  ere<5led  in  the 
year  1792.      He  manufadlured  flour  and  transported  it  to  Philadelphia  on  Durham  boats. 

A  usual  load  for  one  boat  was  about  500  bushels  of  grain  and  150  barrels  of  flour. 
On  more  than  one  occasion  he  sold  his  produce  and  walked  back  from  the  city.  There 
was  a  coach  running  at  that  time  from  Easton  to  Philadelphia,  but  it  made  only  one  trip 
a  week  and  a  business  man  did  not  feel  like  waiting.  The  fare  was  $4.  The  Durham 
boatmen  were  a  jolly  set  of  men  and  greatly  enjoved  the  life  they  led. 


VIEW   AT   BUSHKILL   AND   FRONT  STREETS,  ABOUT   THE    VI 
[from    a   DRAWING   BV    MRS.    m'CARTNEY.] 


When  I  came  to  Easton  the  richest  man  in  Easton  was  old  Peter  Schnyder,  the  father 
of  the  late  Peter  Schnyder.  He  owned  a  large  lot,  on  which  the  tannery  stood — now 
Lehn's — a  number  of  out-lots,  and  about  150  acres  of  farm  land.  Mr.  Wagoner  afterward 
became  wealthier  than  Schnyder.  At  that  time  among  the  prominent  families  living 
here  was  John  Arndt's  family,  William  Craig,  who  was  then  Prothonotary  and  Clerk,  and 
Dr.  Ledley,  living  in  Peter  Ihrie's  present  residence,  which  was  considered  the  best  house 
in  Easton. 

Easton  at  that  time  contained  about  1500  inhabitants,  but  few  good  dwelling  houses. 
The  present  Third  street  was  made  up  of  poor  buildings.  Peter  Schnyder' s  residence,  on 
the  corner  of  Bushkill  and  Third  streets,  was  considered  a  model  house. 


192  THE  HISTORY  OF 

There  was  of  course  much  less  extravagance  than  we  see  about  us  now.  When  I  was 
married  to  my  late  wife  she  was  the  owner  of  but  one  silk,  and  that  was  the  only  silk 
dress  she  owned  for  fifteen  years.  Calico  was  worn  for  everj'-day  wear,  and  gingham  for 
extra  occasions.     Servant  girls  were  then  paid  seventy-five  cents  a  week. 

The  leading  lawyers  of  this  county  at  that  day  were  Samuel  Sitgreaves  and  John 
Rose.  The  Penn  family  were  a  prominent  family.  Jonas  Hartzell  was  the  Sheriflf  of  the 
county.  There  was  of  course  no  water  works.  The  wells  about  town  furnished  good 
water.  The  old  well  at  Rev.  Thomas  Pomp's  corner  was  considered  the  best  well  in 
Easton.  The  lot  on  which  the  former  residence  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Pomp  stood,  taking 
in  an  entire  block  of  ground,  was  at  one  time  purchased  by  my  brother  for  $83,  and  after- 
ward sold  to  the  German  Reformed  congregation  for  $100.  The  'dry  lands'  were  at 
that  time  considered  a  monstrous  poor  seClion  of  our  county.  Land  in  that  quarter  was 
looked  upon  as  scarcely  worth  buying  and  hardly  rich  enough  to  support  a  flock  of  crows. 
Lots  in  'dry  land'  then  sold  at  from  $15  to  $18  per  acre.  Mush  and  milk  and  good 
potatoes  was  the  fashionable  diet  of  the  day.  Old  Mr.  Hass  was  then  one  of  our  County 
Commissioners.  He  lived  within  two  miles  of  the  Berks  county  line,  in  what  is  now 
Lehigh  county,  and  had  twenty-eight  miles  to  come  to  the  Court  House  in  Easton.  The 
late  Judge  Wagoner  was  also  one  of  the  County  Commissioners.  I  remember  that  his  pay 
one  year  amounted  to  just  $28.  They  received  $1.50  per  day.  All  the  people  of  the 
Mount  Bethels,  Moore,  Nazareth,  Bethlehem,  Saucon,  and  of  course  Forks  and  Plainfield, 
at  that  time  came  to  Easton  to  vote. 

Eledlion  day  was  then  considerable  of  a  frolic  day.  There  were  fiddlers  and  dancing 
in  every  tavern  in  Easton.  The  girls  came  to  town  with  their  fathers  and  brothers  and 
enjoyed  themselves  at  the  dances  until  they  were  ready  to  go  home.  About  1500  votes 
were  then  cast  in  the  whole  county.  Old  John  Schug  kept  the  present  'Franklin  House' 
at  that  time. 

Christian  J.  Hutter's  house  was  then  the  last  house  on  the  top  of  the  hill.  A  man 
named  Otto,  who  had  a  wooden  leg,  hauled  a  great  deal  of  water  from  the  river  for  the 
people  to  wash  with.  Neither  myself  nor  any  one  of  my  brothers  ever  had  a  lawsuit. 
The  amusements  of  the  day  were  balls,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  apple  butter  frolics. 
The  general  price  for  a  ball  ticket  was  $2.00.  Dancing  commenced  at  about  eight  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  and  about  one  o'clock  the  boys  and  girls  were  expedrled  to  be  at  home. 

Places  of  business  were  usually  opened  at  daylight.  At  sleighing  parties  the  ladies 
were  treated  to  weak  sangaree.  There  were  no  bridges — the  streams  were  crossed  on  the 
ice.  My  father  was  a  stone  mason  by  trade.  He  did  the  stone  work  on  the  German 
Reformed  Church  in  Easton.  Was  to  have  $800  for  the  job.  He  was  paid  in  Continental 
money,  which  soon  after  began  to  depreciate.  My  father  held  on  to  it  thinking  it  would 
again  improve,  but  it  gradually  grew  more  and  more  worthless  until  finally  he  parted  with 
it  for  $83,  and  that  was  all  he  received  for  his  work.  As  a  matter  of  course  this  loss 
proved  a  severe  shock  to  the  old  gentlema:i's  finances,  and  it  was  some  years  before  he 
recovered  from  it.  Whilst  working  on  the  church  his  children  brought  up  the  dinner  for 
him.self  and  hands  from  his  house  on  the  Delaware.  He  also  built  the  Dryland  Church 
at  Hecktown.  It  has  been  said  that  'cards  were  invented  to  amuse  a  fool'  (Charles  IX  of 
France)  but  here  they  were  used  to  build  a  bridge  across  the  beautiful  sparkling  Delaware. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


193 


The  want  of  a  bridge  over  the  Delaware  at  Easton  was  so  seriously  felt  that  the  people 
determined  to  make  a  strenuous  effort  to  have  one  eretled.  The  enterprise  lagged  for 
many  years,  capitalists  having  but  little  confidence  in  the  stock  proving  a  paying  invest- 
ment. Finally  it  was  built  about  the  year  1806  at  a  cost  of  about  $43,000,  but  it  had  no 
roof  and  no  more  money  could  be  raised.  In  this  dilemma  the  directors  determined  to 
apply  to  the  Legislature  for  relief.  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  John  Herster  and  Daniel  Wagener 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  a  loan  of  $5,000.  The  Senate 
agreed  to  the  bill  but  a  careful  count  of  noses  in  the  Lower  House  showed  that  there  was 
a  majority  of  two  against  it.  It  is  related  that  William  Barnet,  who  was  then  in  the  Leg- 
islature from  this  county,  invited  two  members  who  were  opposed  to  the  bill  to  spend  an 
evening  at  his  room.  There  a  game  of  euchre  was  proposed  and  Barnet  dared  his  two 
guests  to  play  a  game  for  their  votes  for  or  against  his  bridge  bill.  They  agreed,  and 
having  previously  imbibed  a  good  share  of  hot  toddy,  they  displayed  but  little  skill  in 
handling  the  cards  and  lost.  In  this  way  the  passage  of  the  bill  was  secured.  Then 
another  obstacle  interposed.  Simon  Snyder,  who  was  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  threat- 
ened to  veto  the  bill  unless  the  committee  aforesaid  pledged  their  individual  guarantee  that 
the  $5000  should  be  repaid  in  five  years.  He  had  no  notion  that  the  State  Treasury 
should  lose  this  money.  They  agreed  to  this  and  the  money  was  refunded  in  three  years. 
Mr.  Mixsell  has  a  wonderful  memory.  Often  as  he  sat  in  my  ofiice,  reading  the  papers 
of  the  day,  as  has  been  his  daily  custom  for  years  (when  the  weather  permitted),  he  would 
relate  incidents  of  his  travel  that  occured  as  far  back  as  1798,  and  he  would  repeat  the 
details  of  a  journey  made  fifty,  sixty  and  seventy  years  ago  as  truthfully  as  if  it  had  occured 
but  yesterday.  In  this  respect  he  reminded  me  of  the  late  Thomas  H.  Benton,  whom  he 
also  greatly  resembles  in  personal  appearance.  That  the  sterling  old  patriarch  may  con- 
tinue to  live  many  years — long  enough,  at  least  to  see  his  ardent  and  patriotic  wish  real- 
ized— enjoying  in  the  meantime  good  health,  the  affections  of  his  kindred  and  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of  his  friend." 


THE  WAGENER  FAMILY  OF  EASTON. 

Mr.  David  Wagener  was  born  in  Silesia,  Germany,  May  24th,  1736.  His  mother, 
then  a  widow,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  year  1740  on  account  of  religious  persecu- 
tion and  settled  in  Bucks  county,  in  this  State,  with  her  two  sons,  David  and  Christopher, 
aged  respectfully  eight  and  four  years.  David  married  Miss  Susanna  Umstead  and  raised 
a  family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  In  1 786  he  bought  a  tra(5t  of  land  of  the  Penns, 
situated  on  both  sides  of  the  Bushkill  Creek,  a  short  distance  above  Easton,  and  moved 
there.  The  Easton  Cemetery  grounds  are  now  a  portion  of  that  tradl,  and  his  remains 
lie  in  his  son  David's  plot,  southwest  of  the  chapel.     He  died  in  his  sixtieth  year. 

Daniel  Wagener  was  a  son  of  David  Wagener  of  Germany,  and  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Easton  for  many  years.  He  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  moved  to  Easton  when  young, 
and  early  became  engaged  in  the  milling  business  on  the  Bushkill.  He  was  Associate 
Judge  of  Northampton  county  for  thirty-nine  years,  and  was  a  man  of  ability  and  integ- 


194  THE  HISTORY  OF 

rity  in  his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men.  To  have  retained  the  position  which  he  honored 
for  so  many  years  shows  more  plainly  than  words  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  the 
public. 

Hon.  David  D.  Wagener  was  bom  in  Easton,  the  eleventh  day  of  October,  1792.  He 
built  a  mill  on  the  Bushkill  when  quite  a  young  man,  near  the  one  built  by  his  father. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  milling  and  mercantile  business  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1869, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years,  leaving  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  to  whom  he 
bequeathed  a  handsome  estate,  and  an  unsullied  name.  The  early  years  of  David  D. 
Wagener' s  life  were  spent  in  obtaining  a  substantial  education,  and  assisting  his  father  in 
his  business.  It  was  then  he  laid  the  foundation  of  that  consistent  christian  and  public- 
spirited  character,  to  which  he  was  in  so  great  a  degree  indebted  for  his  remarkably  suc- 
cessful career.  In  1816  he  was  elected  captain  of  the  "Easton  Union  Guards,"  then 
newly  organized,  and  continued  in  command  until  the  company's  dissolution,  in  1829. 
In  this  capacity  he  visited  Philadelphia  in  1824,  and  together  with  his  company  (135  men) 
assisted  in  the  ceremonies  of  the  reception  of  La  Fayette.  He  took  great  interest  in  poli- 
tical life  and  became  an  adlive  and  prominent  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  with 
which  he  held  the  closest  relations  until  his  death.  In  1828  he  was  elecled  to  the  Assem- 
bly and  performed  the  duties  of  his  position  so  fully  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  fellow-citi- 
zens that  he  was  twice  re-elected,  serving  the  terms  of  1829,  1830  and  183 1,  and  only 
leaving  the  Assembly  for  the  higher  honors  of  the  National  Congress,  to  which  he  was 
elected  in  1832,  after  a  close  and  exciting  contest ;  his  opponent  being  no  other  than  his 
fellow-townsman,  the  gifted  and  popular  Peter  Ihrie.  The  course  of  David  D.  Wagener 
in  Congress  was  the  same  plain  and  straight-forward  pursuit  of  his  duty  as  a  public-spirited 
and  high-minded  citizen,  and  met  with  the  same  approval  bestowed  upon  his  public  record 
in  the  Assembly  ;  receiving  the  highest  possible  testimonial  by  being  re-elected  from 
term  to  term,  until  1839,  when  he  retired  from  more  adlive  public  life,  desiring  rest  and 
time  to  devote  to  his  own  private  affairs.  He  was  a  member  of  Congress  during  one  of 
the  most  exciting  periods  of  our  national  history,  a  greater  part  of  General  Jackson's,  and 
the  early  part  of  Martin  Van  Buren's  administration.  General  Jackson  was  a  military 
hero — a  man  of  great  talent  and  inflexible  honesty.  His  integrity  was  unassailable ;  his 
will,  like  iron.  He  was  one  for  whom  no  toil  was  too  arduous,  and  to  whom  fear  was 
unknown.  He  seemed  to  be  at  home  in  the  storm  of  battle,  either  in  militar)-  or  political 
commotion.  There  were  two  great  questions  during  his  administration  which  produced 
most  intense  excitement  throughout  the  countr}-.  In  1831  and  1832  additional  duties 
were  levied  upon  goods  imported  from  abroad.  The  manufacturing  districts  were  favored 
more  than  the  agricultural.  South  Carolina  took  umbrage  at  the  enactments  of  Congress 
and  prepared  for  open  resistance  to  the  general  government.  General  Jackson  acted 
promptly  and  sent  General  Scott  with  a  body  of  troops  to  Charleston.  John  C.  Calhoun 
was  Vice  President,  but  resigned  to  accept  a  seat  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States 
where  he  might  sustain  the  doctrine  of  nullification.  He  had  prepared  a  speech  defend- 
ing the  right  to  resist  the  laws  of  Congress.  A  friend  of  the  President  called  upon  him 
one  day  and  saw  an  order  lying  upon  his  table  for  the  arrest  of  Calhoun  if  he  should 
attempt  to  deliver  the  speech.  The  Senator  heard  of  the  order,  and  knowing  the  man 
with  whom  he  had  to  deal,  laid  it  in  his  desk.  The  presence  of  troops  in  Charleston 
quieted  the  storm  till    1S61.     When  (icneral  Jackson  issued  his  proclamation  and  sent 


HON.    DAVID    D.    WAGENER. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  195 

Scott  to  that  city  with  United  States  soldiers,  his  name  was  upon  every  lip  and  his  praises 
were  sting  by  friend  and  foe.  The  other  question  was  the  re-charter  of  the  United  States 
bank.  This  became  quite  as  exciting  as  the  tariff.  In  the  Senate  at  the  time  were  Henry 
Clay,  Daniel  Webster,  John  C.  Calhoun  and  Thomas  H.  Benton.  These  were  the  giants 
of  those  days,  and  when  they  were  in  the  Senate  the  debates  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  civilized  world.  During  these  exciting  times,  when  the  nation  seemed  on  the  brink 
of  revolution,  Mr.  Wagner  was  in  Congress  and  conducted  himself  so  as  to  receive  the  appro- 
bation of  his  constituents,  and  the  warm  and  intimate  friendship  of  General  Jackson. 
During  his  whole  public  life  he  was  the  reliable  and  faithful  representative  of  his  distridl, 
honored  and  beloved  by  the  people  he  had  so  ably  and  faithfully  served. 

On  the  fourth  of  May,  1852,  he  was  unanimously  eledled  President  of  the  Easton 
Bank,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Colonel  Thomas  McKeen,  and  con- 
tinued in  this  office  to  the  full  satisfacftion  of  the  board  and  the  great  advantage  of  the 
bank  until  his  death.  It  is  but  proper  here  to  mention  that  the  Court  House  stands  upon 
ground  largely  donated  by  him.  David  D.  Wagener  was  married  on  the  twentieth  of  Sep- 
tember, 182 1,  to  Mary  Knauss,  a  woman  of  great  personal  beauty  and  piety,  who  died 
February  13,  1833.  The  issue  of  this  marriage  was  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  of 
whom  all  are  still  living.  He  never  married  again,  and  died  Odlober  i,  i860,  in  the 
sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  gentleman  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him ;  he 
enjoyed  the  friendship  of  many  of  the  leading  men  of  his  time.  James  Buchanan  and 
General  Jackson  were  his  intimate  friends,  and  their  relations  were  most  cordial  and  con- 
fidential. An  obituary,  published  in  the  Easton  Argus,  of  October  4,  i860,  truly  says : 
"He  was  not  only  a  good  man  but  a  useful  man.  He  was  a  kind  and  faithful  friend,  a 
safe  counselor,  an  indulgent  and  affedlionate  father,  and  an  upright  man  in  all  relations  of 
life.  To  the  poor  he  was  kind  and  liberal,  and  many  a  penniless  beginner  as  he  started 
on  his  voyage  to  fight  the  battle  of  life  has  been  cheered  on  by  the  kind  assistance  and 
good  counsel  of  David  D.  Wagener.  The  possessor  of  an  ample  fortune,  he  was  ever  plain 
and  simple  in  his  habits,  familiar  and  sociable  in  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow  men,  yet 
dignified  in  his  bearing.  He  was  a  stri6lly  upright  man  and  scorned  to  do  a  dishonorable 
adl  in  public  or  private  life.  He  was  constitutionally  an  honest  man,  and  his  word  was 
ever  as  his  bond.  Few  men  have  left  behind  them  a  better  record  or  example  than  the 
Hon.  David  D.  Wagener." 


MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  EASTON, 


HILE  the  historian  would  not  claim  that  Easton  was  patriotic  above  many 
other  communities  in  the  State,  yet  her  patriotism  has  been  of  so  marked  a 
chara<5ter  as  to  deserve  proper  recognition.  From  her  earliest  annals,  in 
hours  of  danger  the  people  flew  to  arms  with  alacrity.  Easton  was  sur- 
veyed in  1750,  and  the  first  war  came  in  her  infancy.  In  1755  the  Indian 
war  began  by  the  murder  of  the  Moravians  at  what  is  now  Weissport. 
All  feared  the  destruction  of  Easton.  The  efforts  of  William  Parsons 
were  to  put  the  town  in  a  state  of  defence.  The  arms  for  the  use  of 
soldiers  consisted  of  four  muskets,  and  only  three  of  these  were  fit  to  use. 
The  people  had  no  war  material,  no  powder,  lead  nor  flints.  The  soldiers 
in  those  days  used  flints  instead  of  percussion  caps,  and  made  their  own 
bullets  from  lead  supplied  by  the  government.  A  messenger  must  be  sent  to  Philadelphia, 
but  no  man  could  be  spared,  and  so  Mr.  Parsons  sent  his  daughter  to  obtain  the  means  of 
defence.  His  army  was  not  so  large  as  that  of  Miles  Standish,  which  consisted  of  six 
soldiers  besides  the  general.  Mr.  Parsons  could  only  arm  three  men  in  case  of  invasion. 
This  was  Easton' s  first  army  and  first  effort  in  war.  During  the  long  winter  of  1755  and 
1756,  there  were  constant  alarms  and  reasons  for  most  serious  apprehensions  of  danger.  A 
little  powder  could  be  found  in  the  powderhorns  of  the  citizens,  and  a  little  lead  among 
the  few  families,  and  the  three  muskets  would  be  used  if  need  should  demand  it.  The 
people  would  have  done  their  duty  quite  as  well  then  as  in  later  years.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  about  Mr.  Parsons  being  at  the  post  of  duty  and  danger.  But  the  winter  passed 
without  the  presence  of  the  dreaded  foe.  At  the  treaty  gatherings  there  was  more  or  less 
military  display.  This  was  done  to  inspire  the  Indians  with  a  dread  of  the  power  with 
which  they  were  dealing.  Conrad  Weiser  would  bring  a  military  force  from  Heidelburg 
to  add  dignity  to  the  Proprietary  government.  At  one  time  he  brought  a  company  of  forty 
soldiers,  and  these  would  form  a  hollow  square,  in  the  centre  of  which  the  Governor  would 
be  escorted  from  his  lodgings  to  Vernon's  tavern  at  the  Point.  The  fife  and  drum  led 
the  way  with  inspiring  music,  and  all  the  boys  in  town  would  stare  at  the  display  and  run 
after  the  soldiers  as  in  modern  times.  At  another  time  when  danger  threatened  the  place, 
the  entire  male  population  was  put  under  arms,  and  formed  a  company  of  twenty-three, 
with  Lewis  Gordon  for  their  captain.  It  is  interesting  to  people  of  Easton  in  these  days 
to  look  back  to  those  early  times  and  witness  the  inhabitants  girding  for  battle  ;  and 
though  their  means  were  small,  their  hearts  were  large,  and  their  devotion  unquestioned. 
And  however  small  the  force,  it  served  the  purpose,  for  the  Indian  never  approached 
Easton  with  hostile  intent.  It  is  the  desire  of  the  author  thus  to  briefly  review  the  military 
history  of  those  early  times,  and  note  the  contrast  between  the  present  and  the  past. 

After  the  war  of  1756  was  ended,  the  Indian  war,  called  the  Pontiac  war,  began.  The 
dreaded  foe  might  appear  any  hour  and  burn  the  town.  The  times  needed  a  company  of 
men  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice.  But  to  the  workingmen  there  were  few  moments 
of  leisure,  they  must  drill  after  the  day's  toil  was  done  and  be  ready  to  lay  down  their  tools 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


197 


at  the  call  of  their  officers.  In  1763  such  a  company  was  formed  and  chose  Jacob  Amdt 
for  their  captain.  They  bound  themselves  together  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  them- 
selves against  the  savages,  under  the  following  agreement : 

"Wee,  the  undernamed  subscribers,  doo  hereby  joyntly  and  severally  agree  that  Jacob 
Arndt  Esqire  shall  be  our  Captain  for  three  months  from  the  date  of  these  presence,  and 
Be  allwise  Ready  to  obeay  him  when  he  sees  ocation  to  call  us  together  in  persueing  the 
Indians,  or  helping  any  of  us  that  shall  happen  to  be  in  distress  by  the  Indians.  Each 
person  to  find  arms  and  powder  and  lead  at  our  own  cost  and  have  noe  pay.  Each  person 
to  find  himself  in  all  necessarys  ;  to  which  articl,  covenant  and  agreement,  Wee  Bind  our- 
selves in  the  penal  sum  of  Five  pounds  Lawful  monies  of  Pensilvania,  to  be  Laid  out  for 
arms  and  amunition  for  the  use  of  the  Company,  unless  the  person  soe  Neglecting  to  obeay, 
shall  Show  a  lawfull  Reason. 

"Given  under  our  hands  this  13th  day  of  October  1763." 

Signed  by  Jacob  Arndt,  Peter  Seip,  Michael  Lawall,  Adam  Hay,  Paul  J.  Ebbel, 
and  thirty  others.  The  following  is  the  muster  roll  of  the  company,  the  oldest  company 
in  our  history,  whose  names  have  come  down  to  us.  The  list  was  obtained  of  Mr.  B.  M. 
Youells : 

Jacob  Amdt,  Elias  Bender, 

John  Sandy,  Richard  Richards, 

Philip  Odenwelder,  Garrett  Moore, 

John  Jaeger,  Henry  Raddler, 

Jacob  Reichardt,  Philip  Mann, 

Jerry  Leidy,  James  Bunston, 

Michael  Butz,  Christian  Gress, 

Christian  Smith,  Jacob  Hartzell, 

Paul  J.  Ebbel,  M.  Lawall, 

Adam  Hay,  Matthias  Pfiefer, 

John  Miller,  M.  Owen  Amdt, 

P.  J.  Mann,  Matthew  Rownig, 

Elias  Shook,  Peter  Seip, 

Michael  Sheund,  Christopher  Hahn, 

Melchoir  Young,  Christopher  Sienteog, 

Jacob  Grouse,  John  Painter, 

Valentine  Sandy,  Robert  Townsend. 
William  Bonstein, 

This  is  the  first  company  formed  in  Easton,  being  nearly  two  months  older  than 
Lewis  Gordon's.  But  the  latter  company  was  formed  for  adlive  service  in  the  field.  This 
company  was  formed  December  8,  1763,  and  was  to  range  between  Easton  and  the  Blue 
Mountains.  The  company  of  Jacob  Arndt' s  was  a  company  of  minute  men  for  the  defence 
of  the  town,  and  to  assemble  at  the  call  of  the  captain  at  mid-day  or  night. 

There  is  no  evidence  that  the  company  was  ever  called  into  acftive  service,  but  their 
patriotism  was  very  plainly  seen  by  the  firm  agreement  made  to  go  when  and  where  their 
patriotic  captain  should  lead  the  way.  In  the  Revolutionary  war  we  see  the  same  readi- 
ness to  Z.&.  in  the  defence  of  liberty.  They  were  prompt  in  a6lion,  knowing  that  the 
opening  of  hostilities  was  only  a  matter  of  time.  The  people  of  Easton  began  to  organize 
for  the  struggle  six  months  before  the  roar  of  battle  on  the  plains  of  Concord  and  Lex- 
ington, and  on  Bunker  Hill.  The  Committee  of  Safety  was  organized  in  1774,  in  Decem- 
ber.    The  whole  county  was  thoroughly  organized  ;  companies,  called  flying  camps,  were 


198  THE  HISTORY  OF 

formed  to  move  with  celerity  wherever  wanted.  A  company  was  hurried  to  the  front  and 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Brooklyn.  The  muster  roll  of  this  company  is  published  in 
conne6lion  with  the  history  of  the  Revolution. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  Guardian,  a  monthly  magazine,  edited  by  Rev.  H. 
M.  Kieffer,  A.  M.,  of  Easton  : 

"  As  one  follows  the  old  Sullivan  road  from  Easton  through  the  Wind  Gap,  he  comes 
upon  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water  called,  in  earlier  times,  'Lake  Poconoming,'  and  now 
known  as  'Saylor's  Lake.'  The  lake  is  but  a  few  miles  beyond  the  Gap,  and  of  late  years 
has  become  quite  a  favorite  resort  with  the  people  of  this  vicinity,  even  as  far  away  as 
Stroudsburg,  many  Sunday  Schools  finding  there  a  delightful  spot  for  picnics.  Imme- 
diately east  of  the  lake,  a  certain  foreign-born  German,  by  the  name  of  Nicholas  Young, 
settled  in  the  year  1754,  having  purchased  a  farm  of  some  three  hundred  acres.  His  wife 
was  a  Quakeress,  whose  name  was  Rachel  Bond,  whom  he  had  brought  with  him  over 
the  mountain  all  the  way  from  Bucks  County.  At  that  time  the  Indians  were  in  that  vicinity 
and  sometimes  became  very  troublesome.  As  they  passed  through  the  country-  from  Phil- 
adelphia under  the  influence  of  liquor  they  did  much  harm  and  many  deeds  of  violence, 
compelling  the  people  to  flee  for  prote(5lion  to  a  fort  by  the  name  of  '  Buzzard,'  which  they 
erected  for  such  emergencies.  Often  they  hid  themselves  for  days  and  nights  in  the 
swamps  until  the  savages  had  passed  beyond  the  mountains.  To  go  with  her  betrothed 
at  such  a  time  and  to  such  a  country,  argued  no  little  devotion  and  courage  on  the  part  of 
the  young  Quakeress  from  Bucks  County.  To  this  couple  were  born  two  sons  and  five  or 
six  daughters,  the  name  of  one  of  the  daughters  being  Rachel.  Let  us  mark  her  well  for 
she  is  the  one  only  of  the  family  with  whom  we  are  at  present  concerned.  The  father 
spoke  German,  the  mother  spoke  English,  and  nothing  else,  the  daughters  following  her 
example.  The  route  of  the  Sullivan  expedition  lay  directly  along  this  homestead  of 
Nicholas  Young,  and  as  there  was  a  delightful  spring  of  clear,  cold  water  on  the  farm,  and 
as  water  is  a  great  necessity  for  an  army  marching  in  warm  weather,  the  soldiers  very 
naturally  chose  this  farm  for  a  camp,  halting  there  for  dinner,  it  may  be,  or  possibly 
camping  there  for  the  night.  It  is  probable  also  from  what  I  can  learn  from  the  records, 
that  that  part  of  the  vanguard  that  preceded  the  main  column  by  some  six  weeks,  and  went 
up  that  way  from  Easton  to  join  the  other  troops  that  came  down  from  New  York  and 
united  with  them  at  Larners'  tavern,  may  have  spent  a  little  time  at  this  point.  Among 
the  soldiers  who  went  with  their  canteens  for  water  to  the  good  spring  on  Nicholas  Young's 
fann  was  a  young  Irishman  by  the  name  of  Thomas  Gilmore,  who  had  come  from  Belfast 
not  long  before,  having  runaway  from  home  and  come  to  this  country  on  a  vessel  of  which 
his  uncle  was  captain.  Young  Gilmore  had  enlisted  in  the  Continental  Army  early  in 
the  spring  of  1776  as  a  member  of  the  First  New  Hampshire  Regiment,  saw  ser^'ice  at 
Three  Rivers  and  was  present  at  the  capture  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton.  His  term  of 
service  having  expired  he  re-enlisted  in  the  summer  of  1777  in  the  same  regiment  for  three 
years  or  during  the  war;  Col.  Joseph  Cilley  commanding  the  regiment,  was  at  Burgoyne's 
capture  and  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  and  took  part  also  in  the  Sullivan  expedition.  A 
very  good  and  creditable  military  record  indeed,  with  the  larger  part  of  which,  however, 
we  can  have  no  present  concern,  our  interest  in  his  military  history  being  entirely  confined 
to  the  part  he  took  (or  rather  to  the  part  he  did  not  take)  in  the  expedition  under  consid- 
eration.     Now  I  cannot  be  absolutely  certain  whether  young  Gilmore  was  with  the  main 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


199 


column,  or  was  with  the  guard  detailed  for  the  care  of  the  depot  of  supplies  named  above, 
or  whether  he  was  with  the  vanguard.  It  is  quite  probable  that  young  Gilmore  may  have 
spent  many  days  at  Young's  homestead  while  the  troops  were  engaged  in  mending  the 
road  in  that  neighborhood.  At  all  events,  so  it  was  that  here  he  had  an  experience  which 
very  much  interfered  with  his  going  any  farther  than  Lake  Poconoming  on  this  expedition 
against  the  Western  Indians, — at  least  for  a  while.  For  here,  very  probably  while  at  the 
spring  filling  his  canteen,  he  met  Rachel  Young,  and  entertained  from  that  moment  onward 
a  very  decided  aversion  to  marching  any  further  up  the  Pocono  Mountains  in  search  of 
Indians.  He  would  rather  stay  where  he  was  and  make  love  to  Rachel.  He  detested 
Indian  warfare  anyway.  He  had  no  objection  to  fighting  the  British  on  the  open  field  in 
a  decent  way,  but  this  being  shot  at  from  behind  bushes  and  trees  and  rocks  by  enemies 
one  could  not  even  see,  had  certainly  no  charms  for  him.  The  image  of  Rachel's  face, 
which  he,  like  Jacob  of  old,  had  first  seen  at  the  well  of  water,  began  to  haunt  him  as  he 
worked  with  his  fellow  soldiers  at  mending  the  road  in  the  day  time,  or  as  he  lay  in  his 
tent  at  night  watching  the  dancing  light  of  his  camp-fire  and  building  air-castles  as  young 
lovers  will.  He  began  to  wish  himself  free  from  the  ugly  service  before  him,  and  would 
have  been  happy  to  have  hired  himself,  as  did  Jacob  of  old,  to  the  father  of  Rachel,  that 
he  might  stay  and  woo  and  win  her  for  his  wife.  Strange  things  happen  in  war  and  in 
love.  Young  Gilmore,  it  seems,  found  some  difficulty  in  keeping  away  from  the  Young 
farm.  From  the  spring  he  shortly  found  his  way  to  the  house.  It  was  only  a  short  dis- 
tance, and  there  was  a  foot-path  between  the  two,  so  that  one  could  hardly  miss  the  way 
in  the  dark.  He  began  to  do  some  little  work  about  the  house,  perhaps  in  part  to  pay  for 
a  warm  meal,  so  enjoyable  to  a  hungry  soldier,  helping  old  Mr.  Young  with  his  farm- 
work  when  he  himself  was  not  on  duty,  carrying  water  from  the  spring  for  Rachel,  cutting 
wood  for  the  kitchen  stove,  and  making  himself  generally  useful  about  the  premises,  with 
an  eye  ever  and  anon  wide  open  when  Rachel  appeared  on  the  scene.  As  I  said,  strange 
things  happen  in  war  and  in  love  ;  and  a  strange  thing  happened  to  this  young  Gilmore 
about  the  time  his  regiment  received  orders  to  march.  While  chopping  wood  on  the  wood- 
pile in  front  of  the  house,  he  cut  his  foot  with  the  ax,  the  very  morning  too,  before  marching 
orders  came.  Accidentally,  did  you  say  ?  Ah  !  good  reader,  I  cannot  tell.  How  should  I 
know?  'Deponent  sayeth  not.'  It  might  have  been  accidentally,  and  then  again  it  might 
not  have  been  accidentally.  In  war,  accidents  do  happen  accidentally,  but  in  love — how 
should  I  know  how  they  happen  ?  When  a  soldier  is  in  love,  desperately  in  love,  with  a 
farmer's  daughter,  and  can't  for  the  life  of  him  keep  her  face  from  smiling  at  him  through 
the  dancing  flames  of  his  camp-fire,  and  in  spite  of  his  shut  eyes  at  night  sees  her  looking 
in  through  the  flaps  of  his  tent  as  he  lies  there  trying  to  sleep  and  to  forget  all  about  it, — 
and  then  of  a  sudden  gets  marching  orders — there  is  no  telling  what  a  man  will  do  under  such 
circumstances.  At  all  events,  Thomas  Gilmore  could  not  march.  The  regimental  surgeon 
came  over  to  the  farm-house  to  look  at  the  foot.  There  was  no  need  of  his  binding  up  the 
wound,  for  it  was  already  neatly  bound  up,  and  by  a  gentler  hand  than  his.  The  surgeon 
reported  him  on  the  sick-list,  and  left  him  at  the  Young  farm-house  till  he  got  well, — a 
consummation  most  devoutly  wished  for  by  his  patient,— I  make  no  doubt !  For  now  young 
Gilmore  had  nothing  in  the  world  to  do  but  to  make  love  to  Rachel,  and  get  well— as 
slowly  as  he  possibly  could.  I  cannot  tell  how  long  it  would  take  to  heal  such  a  wound 
as  he  enjoyed  ;  but  I  imagine  it  would  be  a  considerable  time  before  it  would  be  so  thor- 


200  THE  HISTORY  OF 

oughlv  well  that  the  patient  might  travel  over  the  rough  roads  with  safety.  From  the  fact 
that  the  army  was  up  in  the  neighborhood  of  Tioga  when  he  rejoined  his  regiment,  I 
am  of  opinion  that  he  spent  not  less  than  six  weeks  at  the  Young  homestead.  To  him, 
being  a  ruddy-faced  Irishman,  we  may  with  propriety  apply  the  language  of  'Paddy's 
Excelsior''  : 

"  A  bright,  buxom  young  girl,  such  as  likes  to  be  kissed, 
Axed  him  wouldn't  he  stop,  and  how  could  he  resist? 
So,  schnapping  his  finger  and  winking  his  eye, 
While  schmiling  upon  her,  he  made  this  reply — 
'  Faith,  I  meant  to  keep  on  till  I  got  to  the  top. 
But,  as  yer  schwate  self  has  asked  me,  I  may  as  well  stop.'  " 

"He  stopped  all  night  and  he  stopped  all  day. 
An'  ye  musn't  be  axin'  when  he  did  get  away  ; 
For  wouldn't  he  be  a  bastely  gossoon 
To  be  lea\-in'  his  darlint  in  the  schwate  honey  moon? 
When  the  ould  man  had  pertaties  enough  and  to  spare — 
Sure,  he  might  as  well  shtay,  if  he's  comfortable  there." 

"But  at  last  he  had  to  go.  His  foot  got  well  in  spite  of  all  he  and  Rachel  could  do. 
And  so,  some  fair  morning  he  said  good-bye  to  the  kind-hearted  young  family,  who  nursed 
him  in  his  sickness,  and  joined  some  company  of  convalescents,  or  fell  in  with  a  body  of 
troops  guarding  some  provision  train  on  its  way  to  the  front,  finding  the  army,  as  I  have 
said,  away  up  in  the  Susquehanna  region.  We  need  not  follow  his  militar}-  history 
further.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  he  ser\'ed  to  the  end  of  the  war,  being  present  at  the  sur- 
render of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  When  the  army  was  disbanded  he  wended  his  way 
back  to  his  old  camping  ground,  near  Lake  Poconoming,  married  Rachel  Young,  bought 
a  fann  on  the  Susquehanna,  and  wrote  to  his  parents  in  Belfast  informing  them  he  intended 
to  stay  in  America.  He  raised  a  family  of  children,  who  have  many  descendants,  includ- 
ing Gilmores,  Eckarts,  and  a  great  many  Appels.  After  his  family  had  grown  up  and 
Rachel  had  died  he  removed  to  Easton  and  lived  many  years  at  the  Bushkill  comer.  He 
entertained  many  people  with  stories  of  the  Revolution  of  an  afternoon  or  evening,  and 
died  in  the  year  1823.  He  lies  buried  in  the  Reformed  graveyard,  on  Mount  Jefferson, 
in  Easton. 

"This  Thomas  Gilmore  was  the  grandfather  of  the  Appel  family,  so  well  known,  and 
so  highly  esteemed  in  the  Reformed  Church.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Gilmore  Appel,  D.  D., 
President  of  Franklin  and  Marshal  College,  and  professor  in  Theological  Seminary  at 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  bears  the  name  of  his  grandfather,  of  whose  military  and  matrimonial 
experiences  I  have  just  been  speaking.  To  him  and  to  his  brother,  the  Rev.  Theodore 
Appel,  D.  D.,  for  many  years  an  esteemed  professor  in  Franklin  and  Marshal  College,  as 
well  as  to  others  of  their  family  in  the  holy  ministry,  the  Reformed  Church  owes  a 
lasting  debt  of  gratitude  for  a  lifetime  of  faithful  and  self-sacrificing  service  of  love  to  the 
church." 

When  the  Revolutionar>-  war  clo.sed  and  the  Constitution  was  adopted,  the  govern- 
ment started  on  its  sacred  mission.  Washington,  who  had  saved  the  countn,',  was  chosen 
to  govern  it.  The  people  had  not  learned  the  nature  of  a  free  government.  Many  under- 
stood freedom  to  mean  a  license  to  obey  or  resist  the  laws,  according  as  fancied  interest  or 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  201 

passion  might  di6late.  And  the  terrible  excesses  of  the  French  Revolution  had  given 
strength  to  this  misapprehension  of  the  nature  of  freedom.  This  state  of  things  gave 
Washington  the  most  serious  trouble  during  his  administration.  The  revenues  of  the 
country  from  imports  were  insufficient  for  the  expenses  of  the  government  and  a  dire6l 
tax  became  necessary.  A  tax  was  laid  upon  whiskey,  a  large  amount  of  which  was  dis- 
tilled in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania.  The  men  engaged  in  this  business  determined 
to  resist  the  payment  of  the  hated  tax  and  organized  to  make  the  resistance  formidable. 
It  was  not  safe  for  the  collecftors  to  go  among  the  people,  their  lives  were  in  danger,  and 
their  duties  could  not  be  discharged.  Genet,  the  French  Minister,  had  taken  advantage 
of  this  insurrectionary  spirit  and  openly  encouraged  the  people  in  distilling  districfts  to 
resist  the  government.  Encouraged  by  the  Frenchman,  the  disaffe6led  rose  in  arms. 
Washington  saw  the  time  for  a<5lion  had  come.  General  Lee,  with  a  strong  detachment 
of  troops,  was  sent  to  the  scene  of  disturbance  and  dispersed  the  rioters.  In  Easton,  two 
companies  volunteered  to  aid  the  government.  These  companies  were  commanded  by 
Captain  John  Arndt  and  Captain  John  Barnet.  They  were  absent  some  months  from 
home.  They  went  no  farther  than  Carlisle,  and  were  ordered  to  return.  Though  they 
were  never  called  into  a6lion,  they  showed  their  patriotism  in  readily  volunteering  to 
defend  their  government  in  an  hour  of  danger.  The  author  has  not  been  able  to  find  the 
muster  rolls  of  these  companies.  But  one  name  so  far  has  been  found,  that  of  Jacob 
Diehl,  the  court  crier,  whose  descendants  are  still  among  us,  as  he  was  the  grandfather  of 
Mr.  B.  M.  Youells.  The  Whiskey  Rebellion,  and  its  complete  suppression  by  the  gov- 
ernment, had  a  good  influence  upon  the  people.  They  learned  the  wholesome  lesson  that 
while  the  people  of  the  Republic  eledled  their  own  rulers,  and  thus  indire6lly  made  their 
own  laws,  they  must  obey  these  as  well  as  if  they  lived  under  laws  made  by  kings. 

The  next  period  of  the  military  history  is  the  war  of  1812.  The  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion virtually  closed  with  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  in  1781.  But  its  results  left  a  bit- 
terness in  the  minds  of  the  English  people,  and  a  feeling  of  hostility  among  the 
Americans  towards  the  English.  In  the  progress  of  the  French  Revolution,  the  people  of 
the  United  States  sympathized  with  France  and  became  more  unfriendly  to  England.  The 
English  harassed  our  commerce  and  failed  to  fulfill  the  stipulations  of  the  Treaty  of  1783. 
These  feelings  were  deepened  by  the  arrogance  of  England  in  enforcing  restriClions  upon 
the  commerce  of  the  Republic.  All  thinking  men  saw  that  war  would  be  the  result  of  the 
increasing  animosities.  June  19,  1812,  war  was  declared  against  England,  and  Congress  pre- 
pared for  battle.  No  part  of  Pennsylvania  was  invaded,  and  there  was  little  that  Easton 
could  do  in  the  contest.  And  not  till  1814,  was  there  anything  to  call  it  into  action. 
The  English  army  had  entered  the  Chesapeake,  and  it  was  supposed  that  Philadelphia 
was  their  objeClive  point.  President  Madison  called  out  the  militia  to  the  number  of 
ninety-three  thousand  five  hundred.  The  English  army  did  not  come  to  Philadelphia, 
but  went  to  Washington  and  burned  the  public  buildings.  The  people  of  Easton  were 
watching  the  movements  of  the  enemy  and  were  expecfting  news  of  a  serious  kind.  Large 
numbers  had  assembled  at  Nicholas'  Hotel  to  hear  from  the  seat  of  war.  An  express  mes- 
senger had  been  sent  to  meet  the  stage,  get  the  papers,  and  hurry  back  in  advance.  He 
soon  returned  and  brought  the  astounding  news  that  the  Capitol  was  burned.  The  English 
army  had  taken  Washington  City,  the  President  had  fled,  the  public  buildings  were 
destroyed.     The  excitement  was  intense.     The  bell  of  the  Court  House  was  rung,  martial 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


music  paraded  the  streets,  and  the  people  could  hardly  have  been  more  excited  if  the  enemy 
had  been  expe6led  in  Easton.  A  company  was  formed  that  numbered  over  sixty.  Abra- 
ham Horn  was  eledled  captain.  The  Lehigh  Valley  History-  tells  us  there  were  seven 
brothers  in  this  company  by  the  name  of  Horn,  but  the  writer  finds  only  four  in  the 
printed  list  in  the  History  of  Northampton  County.  The  ladies  were  as  patriotic  as  their 
brothers.  As  soon  as  they  had  ascertained  that  the  company  had  been  raised,  they  fonned 
themselves  into  sewing  societies,  and  within  three  days  had  provided  the  company  with 
uniforms,  clothing,  blankets,  knapsacks,  and  all  that  was  needed  for  comfort.  On  the 
morning  they  left  for  the  front,  they  paraded  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  town,  and 
many  people  from  the  country  came  to  see  them  off.  During  their  march  through  the 
town,  a  beautiful  flag  was  presented  to  the  company  by  Miss  RosannaBeidleman,  which  had 
been  made  by  the  ladies  as  a  parting  tribute.  The  company  marched  to  Camp  Dupont 
but  was  never  called  into  action.  The  war  was  ended  at  New  Orleans,  and  the  Easton 
soldiers  returned  without  firing  a  shot. 

The  following  is  the  muster  roll  (History  of  Northampton  County,  p.  82)  of  the  First 
Company,  First  Rifle  Regiment,  at  Camp  Dupont,  Nov.  13,  1814  : 


OFFICERS. 

Ca/'/az>2— Abraham  He 

^ni,  Jr 

First 

Corporali 

;— S.  Moore, 

First  Lieutenant^].  Horn. 

E.  Fortner, 

Second  Lie Ktc, 

uant—]. 

Dingl 

er. 

J.  Shipe, 

Etisign—].  Biglow. 

J.  Dill. 

Sergeants— U. 

Horn, 

Musieians- 

-W. 

.  Thompson, 

F. 

Mattes, 

J. 

Horn. 

C. 

Hay. 

PRIVATES. 

J.  Luckenbach, 

G.  Shewell, 

A.  Grub, 

C.  Bowers, 

J.  Bossier, 

J.  Falkner, 

W.  Mixsell, 

D.  Roth, 

H.  Piue, 

W.  Evans, 

J.  Seiple, 

W.  Shick, 

G.  Lottig, 

W.  Berlin, 

E.  Metier, 

J.  Bossier, 

W.  Wilhelm, 

J.  Barnes, 

P.  Miller, 

J.  Smith. 

J.  L.  Jackson, 

N.  Dealy, 

A.  Keyselback, 

J.  Kilpatrick, 

H.  Miller, 

C.  Carey, 

A.  Flag, 

J.  Doan, 

J.  P.  Breinenbach, 

C.  Genther, 

T.  Shank, 

P.  Storks, 

A.  Ward, 

F.  Warmkessel, 

J.  Grub, 

G.  Dingier, 

F.  Jackson, 

A.  H.  Barthokl, 

J.  Shipe. 

J.  Hartly, 

I.  Keider, 

J.  Kelso. 

J.  Mesene, 

It  is  interesting  to  look  over  these  old  muster  rolls  and  mark  the  names  of  families  whose 
ancestors  so  readily  took  up  arms  in  defence  of  home  and  our  country's  honor.  When 
Miss  Rosanna  Beidleman  presented  the  flag  to  the  company  it  was  received  by  the  ensign, 
who  was  "a  thorough  Dutchman."  The  fair  donor,  as  she  handed  the  flag,  remarked, 
"Under  this  flag  march  on  to  glory  and  vi6lory."  The  sturdy  German  replied  "I  is  de 
man."  This  speech,  as  it  was  called,  was  the  source  of  a  good  deal  of  amu.sement  to  the 
company  in  their  weary  march.  While  the  company  was  tramping  through  heat  and 
dust,  some  deep  voice  would  break  the  silence  by  crying  out  "I  is  de  man,"  followed  h\ 


EAST  ON,    PENN'A. 


203 


the  hearty  laugh  of  the  soldiers.  But  the  flag  was  always  in  place,  and  no  doubt  the  brave 
German  would  have  given  it  up  only  with  his  life.  The  thought  of  the  burning  of  the 
public  buildings  in  Washington  City  made  them  feel  like  having  revenge.  But  after 
wearily  waiting  at  Camp  Dupont,  they  returned  to  Easton  and  waited  for  General  Jackson 
to  strike  the  vengeful  blow  at  New  Orleans.  If  the  Atlantic  cable  had  been  in  use  at  that 
time,  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  would  not  have  taken  place,  as  the  treaty  of  peace  was 
signed  in  Ghent,  December  24,  1814,  and  this  memorable  battle  was  fought  January  8, 
1815,  fifteen  days  after  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed.  And  what  is  remarkable  about  this 
treaty  is  that  not  one  word  is  mentioned  about  the  causes  which  led  to  this  expensive  and 
destrudlive  war. 

One  of  the  noted  military  companies  of  Easton  was  formed  in  18 16,  and  named  the 
"Easton  Union  Guards."     Hon.  David  D.  Wagener  was  eledled  captain  and  remained  in 


\ 


t'i 


Michael  Butz. 


Lawrence  Titus. 


command  of  the  company  till  its  dissolution  in  1829.  This  company  was  for  many  years 
the  pride  of  Easton,  and  had  among  its  members  the  best  citizens  of  the  town.  Mr.  Michael 
Butz  and  Mr.  Lawrence  Titus  are  still  living,  and  were  members  of  this  company. 
(Michael  Butz,  grandfather  of  the  present  Michael  Butz,  was  a  member  of  the  military 
company  of  1763.)  The  visit  of  Lafayette  to  this  country  in  1824  was  one  of  the  most 
interesting  events  in  the  history  of  the  Republic.  It  called  into  life  once  more  the  memo- 
ries of  the  Revolutionary  struggles  in  which  Washington  and  Lafayette  fought  side  by 
side.  It  awoke  all  the  enthusiasm  which  swept  over  the  nation  when  Cornwallis  fell  and 
liberty  was  secure.  The  joy  of  the  people  knew  no  bounds.  Cannon  echoed  from  hill-top 
and  valley  all  over  the  land.  The  music  of  national  airs  swelled  on  every  breeze.  The 
stars  and  stripes,  which  the  noble  Frenchman  had  helped  to  make  a  national  banner,  met 
the  eye  at  every  turn.  Cities  vied  with  each  other  in  showing  honors  to  this  friend  of 
Washington  ;  the  flags  of  the  United  States  and  France  hung  festooned  all  over  the  land. 


204  THE  HISTORY   OF 

The  passage  of  Lafayette  through  the  country  was  a  triumphal  march,  in  which  he  received 
a  continued  ovation.  The  gray-haired  patriots  who  had  fought  by  his  side,  came  to  meet 
him,  and  wept  like  children  as  they  gazed  upon  his  person.  A  day  was  soon  set  for  his 
reception  in  Philadelphia,  when  the  city  of  brotherly  love  would  extend  the  hand  of  fra- 
ternal kindness,  and  show  the  appreciation  of  patriotic  hearts.  Easton  was  wild  with 
delight,  and  the  old  field-piece  on  Mount  Jefferson  spoke  their  joy,  and  the  flags  were  waving 
at  every  available  point.  The  Easton  Union  Guards  were  well  disciplined  and  anxious  to 
march  to  honor  him  whom  they  loved  so  well.  Captain  David  D.  Wagener  issued  a  call 
for  the  Guards  to  assemble  on  the  Square  with  two  days'  provisions  and  go  down  the  river 
to  Philadelphia.  It  was  a  beautiful  morning,  and  one  of  the  most  exciting  days  in  the 
history  of  Easton.  The  company  was  promptly  in  line,  stepped  into  the  Durham  boats 
and  sped  on  their  way.  A  more  lively  and  jovial  company  never  floated  down  this  historic 
stream  than  on  that  memorable  day.  Thousands  on  the  shores  watched  the  progress  of  the 
fleet  and  rent  the  air  with  their  shouts,  and  ladies  waved  their  handkerchiefs  in  token  of 
delight.  There  were  people  from  Easton  who  watched  the  company  as  they  landed  and 
began  their  march  with  such  military  precision  and  grace  as  to  excite  their  pride,  and  the 
admiration  of  all  who  beheld  them.  It  was  easy  for  the  company  to  float  down  the  river 
as  they  made  the  air  vocal  with  their  mirthful  songs  ;  but  a  much  more  unpleasant  task  to 
spend  two  days  in  marching  home  through  dust  and  heat.  The  following  is  the  muster 
roll  of  the  company  taken  from  a  manuscript  copy  : 

EASTON  UNION  GUARDS  MUSTER  ROLL,  1824. 
David  D.  Wagener,  Captain,  Thomas  Arnold,  Third  ScrgaDtt, 

Peter  S.  Michler,  First  Lieutenant,  Charles  J.  Ihrie,  Fourth  Sergeant, 

Samuel  Snyder,  Second  Lieutenant,  John  Oliver,  First  Corporal, 

Robert  Wallace,  Ensign,  Lewis  Reichard,  Second  Corporal, 

John  Cooper,  Jr.,  Orderly  Sergeant,  George  Shick,  Third  Corporal, 

John  Lowry,  Second  Sergeant,  Michael  Butz,  Fourth  Corporal. 

OFFICERS   OF   THE   COMPANY   AT   DIFFERENT  TIMES. 

Charles  Lombard, Ca/i!az«,  Joseph  Morgan,  Second  Lieutenant, 

Peter  Ihrie,  Jr.,  First  Lieutenant,  Francis  Jackson,  Sergeant, 

George  C.  Hutter,  Second  Leiutcnanl,  James  A.  Patterson,  Corporal. 

John  Stewart,   Corporal. 

DRUM    CORPS. 

George  Straub,  Fife  Major,  John  Finley,  Drummer, 

Charles  Horn,  Drum  Major,  Jacob  Batt,  Drummer. 

John  Reichard,  Base  Drum. 

LEADERS   OF   BAND   AT   DIFFERENT   TIMES. 

John  Straiib,  Anthony  B.  Johnson,  John  Schultz,  John  Coates,  Jacob  Till. 

MEMBERS   OF   BAND. 

Hiram  Yard,  Clarionet,  Peter  Tilton,  Bassoon, 

William  Wertman,  Clarionet,  William  Hemsing,  Serpent, 

George  Cole,  Clarionet,  Phillip  Reichard,  Horn, 

Samuel  Troxell,  Clarionet,  Phillip  H.  Mattes,  Horn, 

S.  Gross,  Clarionet,  John  Kessler,  Cymbals, 

Timothy  Vandike,  Clarionet,  John  Mixsell,    Triangle, 

Henry  Hutter,  Clarionet,  Thomas  Heckman,  Flute, 

William  Hutter,  Clarionet,  Charles  Menner,  Flute, 

John  Stewart,  Clarionet,  William  White,  Flute. 


idt, 


Robert  Arnold, 
Jacob  Abel,  Jr., 
John  Await, 
George  Arnold, 
Benjamin  F. 
Peter  Bishop, 
James  Black, 
Thomas  S  Bell, 
Jos.  Bigelow,  Sergt. 
John  Bell,  Sergt. 
Sam'l  Bachmau,  Sergt. 
Henry  Barnes,  Sergt. 
John  Bachman, 
Jacob  Bornman, 
Nicholas  Best, 
Jacob  Best, 
William  Berlin, 
Isaac  Carey, 
Charles  Carey, 
William  Carey, 
William  Clouse, 
Jacob  Coryell, 

Coleman, 

Ira  Cook, 
Charle  Crowell, 
Joseph  Dietrich, 
Sidney  Down, 
Valentine  Deily, 
George  W.  Deshler, 
Henry  Drinkhouse. 
Abraham  Dehart, 
John  Dehart, 
George  Dingier, 
Samuel  Dingier, 
William  Doran, 
A.  Driesbach, 
William  Eichman, 
Jacob  Everhart, 
William  Everhart, 
Simon  Frantz, 
David  Focht, 
Jacob  Focht, 
William  Garis, 
Charles  Genther, 
William  Gwinner, 
William  Gardner, 
William  Garron, 
Thomas  Grotz, 
Jacob  Hartman, 
Josiah  P  Hetrich, 
Joseph  Horn, 
Conrad  Heckman, 
Charles  Heckman, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 

MEMBERS   OF  THE   COMPANY. 

Abraham  Heckman, 
Peter  Hawk, 
George  R.  Howell, 
George  A.  Hice, 
Hiram  Heckman, 
Ezekiel  Howell, 
George  Hare, 
Charles  Hay, 
John  Ha}', 
Melchoir  Hay, 
John  Haggerty, 
George  Heigel, 
John  Herster, 
William  Ihrie, 
Francis  Jackson,  Sergt. 
Phineas  Kinsey, 
George  Kessler, 
John  Kutz, 
George  Kutz, 
Abraham  Keiter, 
Henry  Kessler, 
Jacob  Kisselbach, 
Thomas  Kreider, 
George  S.  Kerhart, 
William  Kern, 
Samuel  Kutz, 
William  H.  Keiper, 
Jonathan  A  Kinsey, 
Jacob  Killpatrick, 
John  Leidy, 
Frank  Leidy, 
Henry  Leidy, 
Jacob  Lattig, 
George  Lattig, 
Jacob  Ludwig, 
William  Lynch, 
Jacob  Lesher, 
Jacob  Mettler, 
Eli  Mettler, 
David  Mettler, 
Isaac  Meyers, 
Samuel  Mellick, 
David  Mixsell, 
Philip  Mixsell, 
William  Mixsell, 
Powell  Moser, 
Andrew  McClay, 
F.  \V.  Mueller, 
Samuel  Moore, 
John  Moore, 
Peter  Moore, 
Charles  Messiuger, 
Jacob  Noll, 


205 


John  Nowck, 
William  Nagel, 
Charles  Nicholas, 
Peter  Odenwelder, 
Michael  Otto, 
Jas.  A.  Patterson,   Cor' I. 
John  Pruch, 
George  Pruch, 
Nathaniel  Price, 
James  Pritchard, 
John  Price, 
Daniel  Phillipe, 
Solomon  A.  Rogers, 
George  Ross, 
Frederick  Rouse, 
Abraham  Rohn, 
Charles  Rohn, 
Jacob  Shuck, 
Charles  Snyder, 
George  Shewell, 
Jacob  Shipe, 

•  Skillman, 

Samuel  Shick, 
Alexander  Schick, 
Jacob  Shick, 
David  Stem, 
Daniel  Snyder, 
David  Snyder, 
David  Stidinger, 
Thomas  Shank, 
Charles  Snyder, 
William  Shick, 
John  Snyder, 
Jolm  Simon, 
William  P.  Spering, 
William  Snyder, 
Andrew  Shewell, 

Spangenburg, 

George  Taylor, 
John  Troxsell, 
William  Troxsell, 
Joseph  Troxsell, 
Michael  Trittenbach, 
John  Titus, 
Lawrence  Titus, 
William  Ward, 
Charles  Ward, 
Jacob  Weaver, 
George  Weaver, 
William  Woodring, 
Joseph  Wycoff, 
William  Yates, 
Robert  G.  Youells. 


The  above  is  I  believe,  a  full  and  correifl  list  of  the  whole  of  the 


members  of  the  Easton  Union  Guards. 
JOHN  COOPER,  Jr.,  Orderly. 


2o6 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


At  this  time  Easton  could  boast  of  several  volunteer  companies.  The  military  spirit 
ran  high,  and  many  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  were  in  the  ranks.  We  give  the  mus- 
ter roll  of  the  Easton  Artillerists  as  it  stood  June  30th,  1821,  and  regret  that  we  have  been 
unable  to  secure  those  of  other  companies. 

Gz/i/azV/— William  K.  Sitgreaves. 
First  Lieutenant —W\\\\a.m  L.  Sebring. 
Second  Lieutenant — Isaac  C  WyckofF. 

Orderly  Sergeants — William  Bamet,  Jr ,  Abraham  Osterstock,  Alexander  Eagles  and  George  Lerch. 
Corporals— 'ia.coh  Sbipe,  John  Bamet,  Jr.,  Jacob  Brotzman  and  Joseph  Dill. 

Artificers— ]o\i.n   Burt,  Jacob  Gangwehr,  John  Brotzman,  Christian  Honiish,  Alexander  Berthold,  John 
Shipe,  Enoch  Clark  and  Henry  Wilhelm. 
Drum  Major — Samuel  Horn. 


Fife  Major— Vet&r  Hay. 

John  Able, 
Samuel  Batt, 
John  Brauham, 
William  Bixler, 
Joseph  Buck, 
John  Braeder, 
Wm.  Bittenbender, 
John  Buzzard, 
John  Batt, 
David  Bamet, 
John  Bunstein, 
Josiah  Da\-is, 
Robert  Depue, 
James  Doran, 
John  Erb, 
John  Everett, 
Lawrence  Easterwood, 
Samuel  Engle, 
Christian  Flemming, 
Michael  Fraley, 
Frederick  Fraley, 
Elias  Geiger, 
John  Horn, 
Samuel  Heintzelman, 
Joseph  Hom, 
Melchior  Horn, 
Joseph  Herster, 
Joseph  Howell, 
Jacob  Hartzell, 
Jacob  Hackman, 
Moses  Heiss, 


PRIVATES. 
John  M.  Hocker, 
George  Hineline, 
Henry  G.  Kortz, 
Jacob  Kilpatrick, 
Chas.  Kisselbach,  Jr. 
David  Kichline, 
John  Kriedler, 
Michael  Lawall, 
Lloyd  Lee, 
Clark  Lowry, 
William  Levers, 
Jonathan  Lick, 
Henry  Leidich, 
Isaac  Levan, 
Isaac  Maize, 
William  Miller, 
Abraham  Miller, 
Hiram  Miller, 
Chas.  McGregor, 
Peter  Osterstock, 
Peter  Pomp, 
David  Price, 
Augustus  Patier, 
George  Reichard, 
Thomas  Roberts, 
John  Roberts, 
Daniel  Raub, 
Isaac  Saylor, 
Samuel  Sweitzer, 
Jacob  Smith, 


Samuel  Shouse, 
Jacob  Shick, 
George  Sigman, 
Edward  Shank, 
F.  Spangenberg, 
William  Shouse, 
Joseph  Sn^-der. 
Charles  Snyder, 
John  Smith, 
William  Stevenson, 
Jacob  Sigman, 
George  Smith, 
Daniel  Schwender, 
Charles  Schenck, 
George  Trittenbach, 
John  Tilton, 
Amos  Titus, 
Jacob  Troxell, 
Henry  Wagener, 
Jacob  Wilhelm, 
Jacob  Wallace, 
George  West, 
Thomas  Weygandt, 
Samuel  Wilhelm, 
William  Wilking, 
Barnet  Walter, 
John  D.  Weiss, 
Charles  E.  Wolf, 
Henry  Wolraught, 
Samuel  Yohe 


RECAPITULATION. 
Three  commissioned  officers,  eight  non-commissioned  officers,  eight  artificers,  two 
privates.     Total,  one  hundred  and  twelve. 


In  the  interval  between  1824  and  1842,  the  year  of  the  Delaware  Encampment,  the 
military  organizations  of  Easton  were  highly  proficient  in  drill,  ably  officered,  and  well 
sustained  b)-  the  people.  The  memories  of  the  older  citizens  are  full  of  reuiini.scence.s — 
of  parades,  excursions,  balls  and  banquets,  and  did  space  admit  much  could  be  added  as 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A.  207 

to  the  doings  in  that  period  of  the  ' '  bold  soldier  boys. ' '  By  the  references  in  the  papers  of 
the  time,  as  far  as  they  can  be  gathered  from  incomplete  files,  it  will  be  seen  that  no 
public  festivities  were  complete  without  the  presence  of  the  military,  and  that  they  were 
as  efficient  in  preserving  good  order  as  they  were  in  adding  to  the  pleasures  of  holiday 
celebrations. 

CAMP  DELAWARE. 

On  the  i8th  of  June,  1842,  a  large  meeting  of  citizens  assembled  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
John  Bachman,  to  take  into  consideration  the  obje6l  of  having  a  Military  Encampment  at 
Easton.  Richard  Brodhead  was  appointed  president,  and  H.  D.  Maxwell,  Samuel  Sher- 
rerd,  John  A.  Innes  and  Col.  D.  W.  Butz  were  appointed  vice  presidents.  Dr.  C.  C. 
Field  and  John  J.  Herster  were  appointed  secretaries. 

On  motion  of  Capt.  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  it  was  unanimously — 

Resolved,  That  we  hold  a  Military  Encampment  in  the  vicinity  of  Easton,  in  the 
month  of  September  next. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  ten  persons  be  appointed  to  procure  a  proper  location, 
and  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  the  encampment. 

Capt.  Abm.  Mixsell,  Col.  D.  W.  Butz,  Abraham  Miller,  Capt.  S.  Yohe,  Capt.  A.  H. 
Reeder,  Capt.  L.  Titus,  Lieut.  John  J.  Herster,  Lieut.  H.  Winter,  Lieut.  Geo.  W.  Barnet 
and  Lieut.  D.  W.  Davis  were  appointed. 

The  location  chosen  by  the  committee  was  on  the  south  side  of  the  Lehigh,  on  the 
hill  overlooking  the  Borough  of  Easton. 

The  following,  concerning  the  encampment,  is  taken  from  the  "Easton  Argus," 
September  8,  1842  : 

"The  encampment,  of  which  we  gave  a  hasty  notice  last  week,  was  really  a  grand 
affair  and  seems  to  have  given  satisfa6lion  to  all  concerned  in  it.  Judging  from  the  num- 
ber of  spectators,  and  the  length  of  time  they  remained  to  witness  the  evolutions  of  the 
military,  our  good  citizens  enjoyed  a  treat  such  as  has  rarely  fallen  to  their  lot.  The 
committee  of  arrangements  had  everything  in  due  preparation  for  the  reception  of  their 
military  guests.  The  ground  for  the  camp  was  well  chosen.  The  south  side  of  the 
Lehigh,  on  a  hill  overlooking  the  Borough  of  Easton,  was  the  spot  chosen  for  the  point 
of  attraftion.  On  Monday  evening  the  Doylestown  Grays  arrived,  and  were  received 
with  due  ceremony  by  our  military  companies.  On  Tuesday  morning  the  Philadelphia 
companies  arrived,  and  with  them  General  Cadwallader,  to  whom  the  command  of  the 
camp  was  given.  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  were  spent  in  company  and  regimental  drills, 
and  on  Wednesday  the  Governor  and  his  staff  arrived  to  witness  the  grand  review.  The 
whole  exhibition,  when  fully  formed,  consisted  of  the  following  officers  and  companies : 
Governor  Porter,  Commander-in-Chief. 
Governor's  Staff. 
New  Jersey— Maj.  Gen.  Plane,  Brig.  Gen.  A.  C.  Davis,  Judge  Adv.  James  N.  Reading, 

Col.  Joseph  Reading,  Col.  A.  V.  Bonnel. 

Pennsylvania— Maj.  Gen.   Conrad  Shimer,  Maj.  Wilson,  Maj.  Robert  Brown,  Brig.  Gen. 

Peter  Ihrie,   Adj.  Gen.  Adam  Dilles,   Lieut.   Col.  William  H.   Hutter, 

Col.  S.  Humes  Porter. 

Cavalry— Bucks  County  Troop,  Capt.  Archambault ;    Forks  Tsp.  Troop,  Capt.  Whitesell. 


THE   HISTORY   OF 


l].t.(«|.,).)).«}),jj.i-)}l|"j,>rt„i)(„)j.!*)*-       |||MtHlt»tHt*(H«)mi!i'flHiHl""»flH't'>*'l'f"*"*"'"'*"""'"" 


'4 


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vi?;\v  (IF  c  xMr  iii:i  nwakic,      [from   dkawing  by  mrs.   m'cartney,   1842.] 

The  First  Regiment  was  commanded  by  Colonel  James  Page,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
was  composed  of  the  following  companies  : 

Philadelphia  Grays — Lientenant  Hastings,  Commander. 
State  Fencibles — Lieutenant  Goldey,  Commander. 
Washington  Blues — Captain  Patterson. 
National  Guards — Captain  Tustin. 
Holmesburg  Marion  Grays — Captain  Dougherty. 
The  Second  Regiment  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Smith,  of  Philadelphia,  and  con- 
sisted of  the  following  companies  : 

Democratic  Artillerists — Captain  Reeder  (Easton). 

National  Guards — Captain  Yohe  (Easton). 

Lambertsville  Cadet.s — Captain  Cole. 

Doylestown  Grays — Captain  Pugh. 

Eehigh  Artillerists — Captain  Morehead. 

Washington  Grays  (Quakertown) — Captain  vSickel. 

Belvidere  Infantry — Captain  Searles. 

Washington  Rangers — Captain  Saylor. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


209 


"Such  was  the  material  of  which  the  encampment  was  formed.  The  ofBcers  were  in- 
defatigable in  their  exertions  to  form  their  regiments  and  train  them  to  the  drill.  The 
evening  parade  was  an  imposing  part  of  the  ceremonies,  and  the  soldiers  entered  with 
spirit  into  the  matter.  To  General  Cadwallader  too  much  praise  cannot  be  given.  He 
was  at  every  point — at  regiment  drill,  at  company  drill,  at  morning  parade,  at  evening 
parade,  directing  at  all  points,  and  proving  himself  a  most  efficient  officer.  Easton  will 
long  remember  the  officer  who  commanded  at  Camp  Delaware,  and  General  Cadwallader 
carries  with  him  to  his  home  the  warmest  good  wishes  of  our  citizens  for  his  prosperity 
and  happiness. 

' '  Governor  Porter  and  his  staff  were  received  with  the  customary  salutes.  His  Excel- 
lency seemed  in  very  good  health,  and  remained  on  the  field  from  eleven  to  two  o'clock 
at  the  grand  review.  The  ladies  of  the  borough  furnished  a  goodly  quantity  of  cake  and 
such  'fixens,'  and  contributed  to  the  comfort  of  the  'stern '  times. 

"The  band  of  music  from  Philadelphia,  brought  hither  under  the  auspices  of  General 
Cadwallader,  must  not  be  forgotten.  They  are  an  honor  to  the  city.  Besides  their  en- 
livening the  'battle  field'  with  their  'sonorous  metal  blowing  martial  sounds,'  they 
gave  several  serenades  through  the  borough,  and  acquitted  themselves  more  than  well. 

"The  firing  and  charge  of  the  cavalry  on  review  day  had  an  imposing  effedl,  and 
seemed  to  give  a  more  corredl  idea  of  a  bona-fide  battle  than  any  other  manoeuvre  per- 
formed. The  best  part  of  the  battle  was,  that  no  one  was  killed,  wounded  or  missing. 
Would  that  battles  were  as  well  fought  and  as  harmless. 

"But  the  military,  though  numbering  from  700  to  800,  did  not  make  up  the  whole  at- 
tra6lion.  The  fireworks  exhibited  in  the  camp,  and  in  the  borough,  drew  much  attention. 
Mr.  Jackson,  the  pyrotechnist,  put  forth  his  skill,  and  the  '  red,  white  and  blue ' 
illumined  the  darkness,  and  gave  a  treat  that  the  citizens  of  the  borough  have  seldom 
witnessed. 

"Besides  this  a  concourse  of  people,  estimated  from  15,000  to  20,000  in  number,  gave 
attendance  from  day  to  day.  The  sun  shone  brightly,  or  just  enough  obscured  to  prevent 
the  heat  from  becoming  oppressive.     No  rain  fell  during  the  week. 

"The  tents  were  pitched  in  an  orchard,  with  the  open  parade  ground  immediately  ad- 
joining. The  soldiers  could  repose  under  the  protection  of  their  tents,  or  of  the  trees,  as 
they  most  desired,  and  the  numerous  spectators  enjoyed  the  cool  shade  while  witnessing 
the  military  display. 

"Not  an  intemperate  man  was  to  be  seen.  This  is,  however,  fully  accounted  for  by 
the  fadl  that  the  encampment  was  on  the  same  site,  the  identical  spot  where  the  Martha 
Washington  Society  celebrated  the  last  Fourth  of  July. 

"The  fa6t  is  worth  noticing,  that,  notwithstanding  the  immense  concourse  of  vehicles 
and  individuals  on  foot  and  horse-back,  not  the  slightest  accident  occurred  during  the 
encampment.  This  speaks  volumes  for  the  temperance  and  good  order  that  prevailed, 
and  which  elicited  the  praise  and  commendation  of  all  present.  Would  that  all  such 
assemblages  were  conduced  with  equal  harmony,  peace,  order,  and  military  spirit. 

"To  the  numerous  volunteers  who  favored  us  with  their  presence,  and  who  are  now 
safely  arrived  at  their  homes,  we  wish  happiness  and  long  life,  freedom  from  real  battles, 
and  a  frequent  recurrence  of  the  pleasant  times  they  enjoyed  during  their  encampment  at 
Camp  Delaware." 


2IO  THE  HISTORY  OF 

THE  MILITARY  AND  THE  BOATMEN'S  RIOT. 

No  better  instance  of  the  effe<5liveness  of  the  presence  of  a  body  of  well-disciplined 
citizen-soldiery,  in  suppressing  riotous  outbreaks,  can  be  furnished  than  the  strike  of  the 
Canal  Boatmen  in  1843  for  an  advance  of  wages.  Their  a(5lion  obstructed  navigation, 
and  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Company  suffered  great  loss  by  its  inability  to 
deliver  coal  in  accordance  with  its  contradls.  All  efforts  at  compromise  were  unavail- 
ing. The  boatmen  would  not  yield.  One  by  one  they  tied  up  between  Chain  Dam  and 
Freemansburg,  until  several  hundred  boats  had  been  colle<fted. 

As  there  were  ordinarily  three  men  to  a  boat,  able-bodied,  determined  fellows,  they 
had  a  force  of  some  hundreds,  ready  for  desperate  work,  if  need  be.  The  wives  and 
families  of  the  captains  were,  in  many  cases,  with  them,  and  added  not  a  little  to  the 
clamor,  and  to  the  courage  of  the  men,   in  insisting  upon  what  they  alleged  to  be  their 


EASTON    SCENERY  — VIEW   ON    THE    LEHIGH    NEAR    THE    EASTON    DA\ 


rights.  Their  cause  was  aided  too,  indiredlly,  by  the  sympathy  of  the  outside  public, 
and  by  the  customary  prejudice  against  large  corporations. 

The  letter  of  a  correspondent  from  Easton  to  the  "Newark  Advertiser,"  copied  in 
the  "Democratic  Union"  of  Harrisburg,  of  date  20th  of  July,  1843,  recites  the  fadl  of 
the  stoppage  of  navigation,  and  its  ruinous  consequences  to  the  company,  and  the  una- 
vailing efforts  to  come  to  any  agreement  with  the  leaders  of  the  striking  boatmen,  and 
then  speaks  thus  of  the  condition  of  the  strikers  : 

"They  made  a  parade  at  Easton  a  few  days  ago,  and  presented  a  forlorn  spectacle. 
Ragged,  bare-footed,  half-dressed  men,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred  and  fifty,  mounted 
on  half-starved  mules  and  horses,  without  saddles  and  using  ropes  for  bridles,  were  fol- 
lowed bv  a  more  destitute-looking  set  on  foot,  mosth-  without  shoes.      They   excited  a 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  211 

great  deal  of  attention  on  their  way  through  the  streets  of  the  town,  and  on  all  sides 
were  expressions  of  sympathy  and  regret.  It  was  a  sorrowful  spedlacle.  Many  of  them 
felt  that  they  were  wronged,  that  the  company  could  pay  more;  but  on  behalf  of  the 
latter  such  was  said  not  to  be  the  fa6l. ' ' 

An  extracfl  from  "  The  North  American  "  in  issue  of  the  same  paper,  of  August  6th, 
1843,  says : 

"The  strike  which  took  place  among  the  boatmen  on  the  Lehigh  Canal  in  June  last, 
continues,  and  business  has  been  entirely  suspended  on  the  whole  line  for  five  weeks. 
We  are  indebted  to  some  of  our  Easton  friends  for  the  following  particulars  :  There  is  a 
continuous  line  of  boats  laden  with  coal  extending  from  the  basin  at  Easton  more  than 
two  miles  up  the  canal.  The  empty  boats  are  drawn  up  across  the  canal  near  the  outlet 
lock  at  the  lower  part  of  the  basin.  No  boats  are  permitted  to  pass  up  or  down  the 
canal. 

"  On  Monday  forenoon  last  some  of  the  contradlors  with  several  citizens  from  Mauch 
Chunk  and  other  places,  came  to  Easton  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  a  number  of  well- 
disposed  boatmen  to  proceed  with  their  boats.  The  sheriff  of  Northampton  County  and 
several  magistrates  and  constables  were  also  with  them.  Asa  Packer,  of  Mauch  Chunk, 
a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  several  other  persons  proceeded  on  board  one  of  the 
boats,  and  the  former  commenced  untying  the  rope  which  attached  her  to  the  other  boats. 
His  objecft  was  no  sooner  discovered  by  one  of  the  guards  left  on  duty  by  the  malcontents, 
than  he  blew  a  horn,  when  a  large  number  of  the  disaffected  boatmen  rushed  from  all 
quarters  to  the  spot,  attacked  Mr.  Packer,  and  knocked  him  into  the  river.  They  then 
let  fly  a  volley  of  stones  and  other  missiles  at  his  companions,  who  being  greatly  outnum- 
bered, promptly  retreated.  Mr.  Packer  during  the  melee  swam  ashore,  and  succeeded  in 
making  his  escape  ;  the  disaffecfted  boatmen  remaining  undisputed  masters  of  the  fleet. 

"  The  military  in  the  vicinity  have  been  called  out,  but  the  officers  (we  think  very 
properly)  objedled  to  a<5ling  the  part  of  policemen,  and  therefore  declined  ordering  out 
their  companies. 

"One  day  last  week  two  captains  attempted  to  get  their  boats  under  way,  when  they 
were  promptly  seized  and  thrown  into  the  river,  and  their  boats  forcibly  detained." 

The  writer  was  mistaken  as  to  the  position  of  the  military.  They  sympathized  with 
the  sufferings  of  the  boatmen,  but  yielded  obedience  to  law,  and  when  called  upon 
promptly  responded.  They  were  not  called  upon  until  the  strike  had  continued  some 
time  longer,  and  a  boatman  who  favored  a  compromise  had  been  murdered. 

From  William  H.  Thompson,  Esq.,  one  of  our  best  known  citizens,  who  served  as  a 
substitute  with  the  military  upon  that  occasion,  we  learn  that  Mr.  Packer  was  rescued  by 
Joseph  Savitz  ;  and  that  upon  the  call  of  the  sheriff,  the  two  military  companies  of  the 
borough  assembled  quietly  in  the  yard  of  the  Franklin  House,  formed  ranks,  and  under 
command  of  their  respedlive  captains,  Yohe  and  Horn,  marched  under  the  archway  of 
the  house  (since  closed)  into  Northampton  street  and  thence  to  the  scene  of  the  riot. 

Their  pieces  loaded,  each  with  a  ball  and  three  buckshot,  added  firmness  to  the 
regular  tread  of  their  ranks,  and  gave  a  serious  cast  to  the  countenances  of  the  crowds 
upon  the  sidewalks.  The  strikers  grew  suddenly  serious,  too,  at  their  presence,  and 
quietly  bowed  to  the  law  represented  by  the  citizen  soldiery,  and  again,  save  for  the 
tooting  of  the  boatman's  horn,  'all  was  quiet  along  the  Lehigh.' 


212  THE  HISTORY  OF 

THE  CHARACTER  OF  THE  EASTON  COMPANIES. 

The  military  spirit  of  Easton  always  gave  prominence  to  her  volunteer  companies. 
They  were  noted  for  the  superior  men  of  their  ranks,  and  their  high  grades  in  drills  and 
discipline.  For  years  Judge  Samuel  Yohe  and  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  Esq.,  commanded 
rival  companies,  and  officers  and  men  of  each  vied  in  soldierly  competition. 

At  a  later  day  under  other  commanders  this  honorable  rivalry  continued.  It  insured 
spirited  observance  of  the  national  holidays.  Such  days  would  open  with  cannon  firing 
on  Mount  Jefferson — the  beautiful  and  bold  bluff  in  the  centre  of  the  borough,  whose 
summit  Bryant,  in  his  Letters  of  a  Traveller  in  1824,  said  would  be  crowned  with  a 
castle,  if  in  Europe — and  owed  much  of  their  life  to  the  artistic  melody  of  Pomp's  Cornet 
Band,  and  the  vigorous  martial  music  of  the  various  drum  corps,  notably  Major  Mixsell's. 

A  prominent  newspaper,  "The  Home  Journal  and  Citizen  Soldier,"  in  May,  1845,  thus 
speaks  of  two  of  the  Easton  companies  and  the  captains  mentioned  above  : 

"There  is  no  finer  body  of  men  in  the  State  than  those  composing  the  two  companies 
at  Easton — the  Artillery  commanded  by  Captain  Reeder  and  the  National  Guards  by  Captain 
Yohe.  Both  companies  are  in  a  highly  prosperous  condition,  with  the  addition  of  new 
members  continually,  and  as  for  discipline,  soldierly  bearing  and  gallant  conduct,  they 
can't  be  beat — not  easy.  Captain  Yohe,  when  in  uniform,  is  a  perfecft  beau-ideal  of  an 
officer,  one  that  Napoleon,  or  Frederick  the  Great,  at  first  sight  would  have  stamped  as 
such — and  better  than  all  he  is  as  good  as  he  looks.  Captain  Reeder  is  also  a  fine  officer 
and  has  a  splendid  company.  His  company  formerly  wore  a  gray  dress,  but  they  have 
lately  adopted  the  regular  blue  uniform.     Success  and  prosperity  to  our  friends  at  Easton." 

MILITARY  NOTES  FROM  THE  LOCAL  PRESS. 

In  Easton  newspapers  of  the  same  month,  appear  notices  of  parade  of  the  Easton 
Fencibles,  by  its  Orderly  Sergeant,  Melchior  H.  Horn,  and  of  the  National  Guards  by  its 
Orderly  Sergeant,  Adam  Yohe. 

News  of  outrages  upon  American  citizens  in  Mexico  appeared  side  by  side  with  these 
military  items.  Week  by  week  the  slower  mails  of  that  day  brought  news  from  which 
resulted  the  Mexican  war. 

The  death  of  Andrew  Jackson  on  the  8th  of  June,  1845,  was  the  occasion  of  a  great 
military  and  civic  procession  in  Easton  on  Saturday,  the  28th  of  June.  The  Easton  Fen- 
cibles and  National  Guards  headed,  with  full  ranks  and  craped  arms,  the  long  funeral 
cortege,  composed  of  all  the  societies  of  the  borough,  the  faculty  and  students  of  Lafay- 
ette College,  soldiers  of  the  late  war,  clergy  and  citizens  generalh'.  They  marched  in 
columns  of  six  abreast,  under  marshalship  of  General  Peter  Ihrie,  and  to  time  of  most 
touching  and  tender  music,  to  St.  John's  Church,  where  the  exercises  opened  by  the 
singing  of  a  beautiful  dirge  written  by  Mrs.  John  L.  Gray,  and  Washington  McCartney 
delivered  an  oration,  original  in  its  treatment  of  life  incidents,  and  masterly  in  its  anal- 
ysis of  the  charadler  of  the  Old  Hero. 

Friday,  the  Fourth  day  of  July,  following,  witnessed  a  lively  and  general  celebration, 
in  which  the  local  companies  and  a  visiting  military  company  from  Mauch  Chunk  were 
prominent  participants.  Parades  were  frequent  during  these  years,  far  too  many  for 
notice,  and  tlie  great  interest  taken  in    military  matters  was  characteristic  of  tlie  promi- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  213 

nent  business  men  engaged  who  gave  to  them  the  close  attention  by  which  their  personal 
business  was  made  successful.  Besides  the  names  gi\'en,  those  of  John  Eyerman,  John 
Maxwell,  W.  H.  Thompson,  and  many  others  frequently  appear. 

In  an  editorial  of  the  "Easton  Daily  Express,"  in  the  sixthnumber  of  its  issue,  published 
then  in  the  morning,  of  Saturday,  November  10,  1855,  appears  a  complaint  of  the  decay 
of  martial  spirit  in  Easton,  notwithstanding  the  growth  of  the  place,  and  a  desire  to  see 
the  good  old  times  return,  when  national  holidays  were  lively  "with  booming  of  cannon 
and  ringing  of  bells,  large  company  musters  and  crowds  of  country  lasses  and  their  beaus; 
when  our  borough  could  boast  of  a  Charley  Hinkle  and  his  nimble-footed,  eagle-eyed 
riflemen,  Weygandt  and  his  bold  volunteers,  Porter  and  his  dashing  cavaliers,  Sitgreaves 
and  Sebring  with  their  grim-visaged  artillerymen,  Wagner  with  his  noble  Guards,  Shu- 
man  and  his  prim-tidy  Cadets,  Ihrie  and  Yohe  with  their  gallant  Greys,  Butz  with  his 
splendid  Blues,  or  in  later  days  the  fine  companies  commanded  by  those  gallant  spirits. 
Captains  Yohe  and  Reeder." 

THE  TAYLOR  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 
This  beautiful  monument,  a  description  of  which  has  already  appeared  in  these 
pages,  eredled  in  the  Easton  Cemetery  to  the  memory  of  George  Taylor,  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  was  dedicated  with  imposing  ceremonies,  in 
which  military  companies  took  a  prominent  part,  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  November  20, 
1855.  The  full  statement  in  the  "  Daily  Express"  extra  of  that  date  gives  a  long  list  of 
visiting  military  companies,  but  mentions  none  from  Easton  but  the  National  Guards, 
Captain  John  Stonebach.  This  company,  with  the  committee  of  arrangements,  headed 
by  Pomp's  Cornet  Band,  escorted  the  military  visitors  up  Third  street,  down  Northamp- 
ton street  and  around  the  Public  Square  to  their  quarters.  A  salute,  during  the  march, 
was  fired  from  Gallows  Hill.  In  the  afternoon  the  procession  formed  on  East  Northamp- 
ton street  in  the  following  order  : 

Major  General  Laury  and  Staff". 

Major  Burnham,  Major  Stuart. 

Washington  Cavalry — Captain  Wenner. 

Pomp's  Cornet  Band. 

Bethlehem  Artillery — Captain  Wilson. 

Northampton  Artillery — Captain  Lynn. 

Mauch  Chunk  Band. 

Cleaver  Artillerists — Captain  Wolfe. 

Martial  Music. 

National  Guards — Captain  Stonebach. 

Bethlehem  Brass  Band. 

Allen  Rifles— Captain  Good. 

Soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812. 

Committee  of  Arrangements. 

Philadelphia  Committee. 

Orator  and  Reader  of  Declaration. 

Builder  of  Monument. 

Clergy. 

Judges  and  Members  of  the  Bar. 

Diredlors  of  Cemetery. 

Town  Council. 

Citizens. 


214 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


At  a  stand  erected  at  the  base  of  the  eastern  slope  of  the  cemeten-  grounds  the  pro- 
cession was  halted,  and  after  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Schaeffer,  the  Declaration  was  read  by 
General  Peter  Ihrie,  and  an  oration  delivered  by  Alexander  E.  Brown,  Esq.  A  large 
crowd  of  persons  had  followed  the  procession,  and  the  immense  audience  listened  eagerly 
to  the  words  of  the  eloquent  orator. 

THE  EASTON  NATIONAL  GUARDS. 

The  Easton  National  Guards  were  organized  September  12,  1848,  and  continued  to  be 
the  sole  military  company  for  some  time.     The  following  were  the  officers  in  1856 : 

Captain — John  Stonebach. 
First  Lieutenant — C.  H.  Lanning.  Fourth  Sergeant — Ferd.  W.  Bell. 

Second  Lieutenant — George  L.  Fried.  First  Corporal — Wm.  Slaven. 

Orderly  Sergeant^ohn  E.  Titus.  Second  Corporal — M.  K.  Raub. 

Second  Sergeant— W.  H.  Mack.  Third  Corporal— N.  Peterson. 

Third  Sergeant — ^John  H.  Genther.  Fourth  Corporal — A.  Rothrock. 

The  following  complete  roll  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Guards  in  1858  is 
taken  from  their  constitution  and  by-laws,  printed  in  that  year : 


Captain— ]o\i.^  E.  Titus. 
First  Lieutenant — George  L-  Fried. 
Second  Lieutenant— V.  W.  Bell. 
First  Serg:eant— Charles  H.  Yard. 
Second  Serjeant— John  H.  Genther. 
Third  Sergeant — Jacob  G.  Bamet. 


Fourth  Sergeant — Benjamin  Smith. 
Quartermaster— John  Randolph. 
First  Corporal — William  Slaven. 
Second  Corporat^ames  McGloin. 
Third  Corporal — William  Gaston. 
Fourth  Corporal — ^John  H.  Reichard. 


John  E.  Titus, 
George  L.  Fried, 
Charles  H.  Yard, 
F.  W.  Bell, 
John  H.  Genther, 
Jacob  G.  Bamet, 
Benjamin  Smith, 
William  Slaven, 
James  McGloin, 
William  Gaston, 
John  H.  Reichard, 
Charles  Able, 
Samuel  Trumbore, 
Joseph  Hendrickson, 
Samuel  Transue, 
Thomas  Bishop, 
Aaron  Thatcher, 
James  Biglow, 
William  J.  Minick, 
Madison  K.  Raub, 
Conielius  Derr, 


ACTIVE  MEMBERS. 

Edward  Kelley, 
William  L.  Davis, 
John  A.  Frey, 
John  H.  Flemming, 
George  W.  Wilhelm, 
William  H.  Weaver, 
B.  F.  Amdt,  Jr., 
William  G.  Osterstock, 
Valentine  Stocker, 
Augustus  F.  Heller, 
Daniel  W.  Snyder. 
William  H.  Diehl, 
Silas  C.  Rodgers, 
George  School  ey, 
Charles  B.  Zulich, 
John  Purdy, 
James  O.  Neal, 
John  L.  Clifton, 
John  T.  Dingier, 
Joseph  Oliver, 


Edward  Heckman, 
George  Wycar, 
Robert  Peacock, 
William  M.  Mutchler, 
Robert  Burrell, 
James  Hackett, 
Augustus  G.  Templin, 
Charles  Knapp, 
Jacob  Freyberger, 
Charles  Sprow, 
Richard  Wolfring, 
George  Smitli, 
Amos  M.  Hones, 
John  Yohe, 
Charles  Osterstock, 
John  Buck, 
Samuel  Fraunfelder, 
Daniel  Nicholas, 
John  Randolph, 
Edward  Housel. 


The  company  took   part,  06lober  21st,  1856,  in  the  funeral  ceremonies  of  Captain 
Peter  Nunge.sser,  who  commanded  a  company  on  duty  at  IMarcus  Hook,  in  the  war  of 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


215 


1812.     His  company  was  among  the  first  to  offer  its  services  when  volunteers  were  called 
for  in  that  war. 

On  December  27th,  1856,  the  National  Guards  visited  Trenton,  accompanied  by 
Pomp's  Cornet  Band,  and  took  part  in  a  sham  battle,  in  celebration  of  the  real  one  fought 
there  in  Revolutionary  days.  Their  condudl  was  highly  praised  by  the  thousands  of 
spedlators. 

THE  CITIZENS'  ARTII.LERY. 
A  new  military  company,  the  Citizens'  Artillery,  was  organized  in  May,    1857,  at 
Hawaii's  Hotel,  and,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  was  composed  of  the  following  officers 
and  members  : 

OFFICERS. 
Captain— la.co\,  Dachrodt.  Second  Lieutenant— iohn  Stotzer. 

First  Lieutenant— John  P.  Ricker.  Orderly  Sergeant— ]ohn  F.  Bachman. 


John  Hensler, 

George  Hensler, 

Jacob  Hensler, 

William  Dachrodt, 

Charles  Dachrodt, 

John  Dachrodt,  Jr., 

Jacob  Bonstein, 

Lawrence  P\  Bonstein, 

William  Derr, 

John  Smith, 

Christian  Take, 

Xavier  Veile, 

Andrew  J.  Hay, 

Jackson  Hay, 

Jacob  Folkenson, 

Thomas  Radenbacli, 

Frank  Shelling, 

Jacob  Keiper, 

David  Barnet, 

Joseph  Ochenfus, 

John  Bruch, 

William  Mutchler  and  Robert  P. 


ACTIVE  MEMBERS. 
Richard  Fraunfelter, 
Max.  Wik, 
Edward  Troxell, 
David  Troxell, 
Jacob  F.  Rafferty, 
John  Rafferty, 
John  Frey, 
Josiah  Cole, 
John  O.  Wagener, 
Wesley  Drew, 
Aaron  Frey, 
Andrew  Adams, 
Christian  Bach, 
William  Otto, 
William  Drake, 
David  Frankenfield, 
Godfrey  Mutchler, 
George  Arm, 
Wm.  Conahay, 
John  Bittenbender, 
William  Eichman, 
Black  were  ele<3;ed  Lieutenants  to  fill 


Daniel  Trittenbach, 
Theodore  Trittenbach, 
John  Rinek, 
James  Meyers, 
Jonathan  Xander, 
Benjamin  Smith, 
William  Spangenberg, 
Edward  Cook, 
William  Sigman, 
William  Ricker, 
Jacob  Burt, 
William  Ginnard, 
Joseph  Warner, 
Henry  A.  Rothrock, 
Levi  Fraunfelter, 
Frank  Danner, 
Edward  Hill, 
E.  O.  Smith, 
Andrew  Burt, 
J.  L.  Singer, 
John  Q.  Hay. 
vacancies  at  different  times. 


The  company  made  a  fine  appearance  on  July  4th,  1857,  when  it  a6led  as  an  escort 
to  the  Washington  Grays,  of  Philadelphia.  It  was  its  first  parade,  and  its  drill,  discipline, 
and  beautiftil  uniforms  won  applause  from  the  soldiery  visitors  and  the  large  crowds 
upon  the  streets. 

BURIAL  OF  JOHN  F.   BACHMAN. 

The  funeral  obsequies,  on  Sunday,  May  2,  1858,  of  John  F.  Bachman,  who  served 
throughout  the  Mexican  War,  had  called  together  the  largest  number  of  people  ever  seen 
in  our  borough  at  a  like  ceremony.  Long  before  the  hour  appointed  for  the  procession 
to  move,  the  streets  in  the  vicinity  of  his  late  residence,  on  Walnut  street,  were  lined 
upon  both  sides  with  throngs  of  persons  of  all  ages,  sexes  and  conditions.  It  moved  in 
the  following  order  : 

Pomp's  Cornet  Band. 

National  Guards — Captain  John  E.  Titus. 
Citizens'  Artillery — Captain  Jacob  Dachrodt. 


2i6  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Scott  Legion  of  Philadelphia — Captain  Gray. 

Delegation  of  Citizens  of  Mauch  Chunk. 

Hearse, 

Flanked  with  Guard  of  Honor,  composed  of  Soldiers  of  the  Mexican 

War — Comrades  of  the  Deceased. 

Soldiers  of  1812. 
Judges  and  Members  of  the  Bar. 
Printers  of  Easton,  Mauch  Chunk  and  Allentown. 
Humane  Fire  Company. 
Citizens  Generally. 
A  halt  was  made  at  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  where  the  coffin,  draped  in  the  old 
flag  of  the  Stockton  Artillerists,  was  taken  into  the  church  and  placed  in  front  of  the 
pulpit.     After  prayer  by  Rev.  B.  Sadtler,  Rev.  John  Beck  delivered  an  impressive  dis- 
course.    Through   streets  lined  with  people  the  cortege  then  moved   to  the  cemetery, 
where  the  Scott  Legion  fired  over  their  comrade's  grave.     The  large  attendance  was  a  just 
tribute  to  the  worth  of  the  man.     The  well  known  lines  were  never  more  aptly  applied  : 

"None  knew  him  but  to  love  him, 
None  named  him  but  to  praise." 

Note. — John  F.  Bachman,  printer ;  bom  in  the  township  of  Lower  Saucon,  Northampton  county,  January-  25, 
1831  ;  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township  and  of  Easton  ;  was  a  student  of  Lafayette  College  for 
one  year  ;  served  through  the  whole  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  and  was  one  of  the  successful  storming  party  at 
the  fortress  of  Chepultepec,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  feats  of  the  war  ;  went  to  California  in  February,  1849,  and 
remained  there  till  August,  185 1,  when  he  went  to  Panama  and  there  issued  the  Panama  Star,  the  first  newspa- 
per published  in  that  city  ;  was  ele(5ted  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  Northampton  County  in 
0<5tober,  1854,  and  served  till  his  death  at  Easton,  April  29,  1858. 

John  C.  Drinkhouse,  another  Mexican  War  Volunteer,  was  buried  at  Easton  with 
military  honors  March  i,  1859.  He  had  also  been  with  General  Walker  in  his  Nicarau- 
guan  expedition. 

A  FAMOUS  CELEBRATION. 

Through  protra(5led  efforts  of  prominent  citizens,  the  Nation's  Holiday,  occurring  on 
Monday,  July  5th,  1858,  had  an  extraordinary  celebration  in  Easton.  The  day  opened 
by  the  usual  salutes  from  Mount  Jefferson  and  the  ringing  of  the  church  bells.  During 
the  whole  of  the  forenoon  the  streets  were  kept  in  a  continual  uproar  by  the  arrivals  of 
the  many  visiting  military  companies  and  their  marching  to  martial  music  inider  escort 
of  the  home  troops. 

At  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  procession  was  formed  on  Third  street,  the  right 
resting  on  Centre  Square,  under  command  of  Captain  John  Stonebach,  as  Chief  Marshal, 
and  Charles  Seitz  and  Lieutenant  Bleecher  as  assistants,  and  moved  as  follows  : 

Major  General  Laury  and  Staff",  Brigadier  General  R.  S.  Brown  and  Staff", 

and  Visiting  Officers. 

Jackson  Cavalry — Captain  Charles  Whitesell. 

Jackson  Grays — Captain  Laubach. 

Washington  Artillery— Captain  J.  P.  R.  Heller. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


217 


Citizens'  Artillery— Captain  J.  Dachrodt. 
Pennsylvania  Guards — Captain  E.  R.  Siegfried. 

Color  Guard  of  the  American  Flag. 

Guard  of  the  Cap  of  Liberty,  Soldiers  of  1812. 

Pomp's  Cornet  Band. 

National  Guards — Captain  J.  E.  Titus. 

Washington  Continentals — Captain  Halsey. 

Carpenter's  Cornet  Band. 

Lambertville  Fencibles — Captain  S.  Lilly. 

Allen  Infantry — Captain  Hart. 

Milford  Cornet  Band. 

Union  Cadets — Captain  Bertolette. 

Allen  Rifles— Captain  Good. 

Black  Plumed  Riflemen — Captain  Calvin. 

Rittersville  Rifles— Captain  Ritter. 

Monroe  Guards — Captain  Keller. 

After  marching  through  the  principal  streets,  a  halt  was  made  at  4  p.  m.,  in  Centre 

Square,  and  after  national  airs  by  Pomp's  Cornet  Band,  prayer  was  oSered  by  Rev.  E. 

Greenwald,  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  by  E.  J.  Fox,  Esq.,  and  an  oration 

of  great  originality  of   thought  delivered  in  a  captivating  way  by  W.  H.  Fry,  of  New 

York,  the  musical  critic  and  operatic  author.     A  fine  display  of  fireworks  in  the  evening, 

and  numerous  banquets  to  visitors,  closed  a  day  often  referred  to  for  the  magnitude  and 

completeness  of  its  arrangements. 

THE  EASTON  JAEGERS. 
In  the  spirited  celebration  of  the  8th  of  January,  1859,  a  new  company,  the  Easton 
Jaegers,  Captain  Charles  Glanz,  composed  mostly  of  Germans,  attracted  much  attention 
by  their  novel  uniform  and  soldierly  appearance.  '  The  following  is  the  roll  of  oflScers  and 
members  as  near  as  could  be  obtained  : 


Ca/i'azw— Charles  Glanz. 
First  Lieutenant — Peter  Kuebler. 
Second  Lieutenant— VreA.  Cokomille 
Third  Lieutenant — Robert  Grcefe. 
Quartermaster— '^\\X\h&\ii  Kuebler. 
Orderly— Vra.m.  Mildeiiberger. 

Joseph  Long, 
John  Maurer, 
Jacob  Schwartz, 
William  Dennig, 
George  Haefler, 
Franz  Reis, 
Joseph  Reis, 
Anton  Gehr, 
Joseph  Oegsler, 
Jacob  Beck, 
John  Stattler, 


PRIVATES. 


First  Sergeant — Michael  Teichman. 
Second  Sergeant — Martin  Goth. 
First  Corporal— ]oh-a  Cony. 
Second  Corporal— Vraxiz  Pfeffer. 
Third  Corporal — Fabian  Schuh. 
Fourth  Corporal — William  Siebert. 


John  Kern, 

Oegsler, 

Basilius  Flack, 
Charles  Franklin, 
Christopher  Kemmerer, 
John  Picht, 
William  Schultz, 
Theodore  Roth, 
George  Waller, 
Fred.  Schwartz, 
Christian  Strele, 


Joseph  Flad, 

John  Gisler, 

Leopold  Bej'er, 

Wm.  Hildebrandt, 

J.  Bynder, 

A.  Hersch, 

O.  Glanz, 

A.  Lieberman, 

Rudolph  Rapp, 

Louis  Rapp, 

J.  Wettlaufer. 


2iS  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Earlv  in  1859  efforts  were  made  to  organize  a  Cavalry  Compan)-.  After  several 
meetings  and  a  canvass  of  citizens  had  resulted  in  little  encouragement,  an  Infantry' 
Company  was  substituted,  and  the  new  organization  was  known  as  "The  National  Grays," 
and  commanded  by  the  following  officers  : 

Captain — J.  P.  Chambers. 

First  Lieutenant — John  Smylie,  Jr. 

Second  Lieutenant — Clarence  H.  Michler. 

Third  Lieutenant — Theophilus  F.  Rodenbough. 

Ensign — John  Stonebach. 

In  its  brief  existence  it  attained  prominence  for  efficiency  of  drill  and  discipline  and 
the  neatness  of  its  uniforms.  From  its  ranks  came  men  whose  names  appear  with  high 
honor  in  the  great  war  history  of  the  nation.  This  was  true  in  a  remarkable  degree  of  all 
the  military  companies  of  the  borough.  Old  citizens  remember  with  pride  the  appearance 
in  the  ranks  in  our  street  parades  of  many  whose  courage  and  soldierly  skill  gave  them 
high  position  in  the  stern  struggle  of  later  j-ears. 

The  eighth  day  of  January,  i860,  fell  upon  Sunday,  but  the  ninth  had  hardly  dawned, 
before  Napoleon,  familiarly  known  as  "Poly"  Patier,  on  Mount  Jefferson,  with  the  roar 
of  cannon,  reminded  the  citizens  of  what  was  due  to  the  memory'  of  General  Jackson.  The 
military  companies,  led  by  the  time-honored  band,  paraded  through  the  streets,  and  the 
day  was  given  generally  by  the  people  to  patriotic  memories. 

FUNERALS  OF  SOLDIERS  OF  1812. 
Details  from  the  four  volunteer  companies  of  the  borough  on  the  14th  of  April, 
i860,  attended  the  funeral  of  George  Reichardt,  an  old  soldier  of  the  War  of  18 12. 
During  the  war  he  belonged  to  Captain  Nungesser's  company,  2nd  Regiment,  P.  V., 
which  left  Easton  in  September,  1814,  and  proceeded  to  Marcus  Hook.  The  old  soldier 
was  in  his  eighty-fourth  year,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors.  A  number  of  his 
comrades  of  1812,  and  many  other  citizens  were  in  the  procession.  John  Ludwig,  a 
member  of  the  same  company  was  buried  a  few  weeks  later  with  like  honors. 

REMINDER  OF  MILITIA  DAYS. 
What  was  intended  to  be  a  grand  military  parade  on  Thursday,  May  24,  i860,  had, 
from  the  reports  of  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  many  of  the  features  of  the  old    militia 
trainings.     All  of  the  companies  of  the  county  took  part,  including  the  following  from 
Easton  : 

Citizens  Artillery — Captain  Jacob  Dachrodt. 

National  Guards — Lieutenant  Ferd.  W.  Bell,  Commanding. 

National  Grays — Captain  Charles  A.  Heckman. 

Easton  Jaegers — Captain  Charles  Glanz. 

The  streets  were  filled  early  in  the  day  with  people  from  the  country,  and  the  county 

companies  paraded  at  random  to  the  continuous  rattle  of  the  drums. 

About  one  o'clock  all  the  companies  fell  in  line  and  marched  to  a  field  in  the  rear  of 
the  F'air  Grounds,  where  it  was  intended  to  have  a  thorough  drill.  This  was  only  par- 
tially successful.     The  field  suffered,  as  have  manv  more  serious  fields,  from  an  excess  of 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  219 

commanders.  Three  hours  were  consumed  in  wheeling,  marching  and  in  evolutions  hope- 
lessly involved  but  for  the  management  of  some  of  the  company  commanders.  This 
was  the  last  general  turnout  in  the  borough  of  cavalry  and  infantry  companies  of  the 
county,  and  the  closest  approach  for  years  to  the  old-fashioned  militia  field-days. 

JANUARY  AND  FEBRUARY,  1861,   PARADES. 

January  8,  1861,  was  the  occasion  of  a  great  display  of  patriotism  in  Easton.  The 
National  Guards,  Citizens  Artillery  and  Easton  Jaegers  paraded  with  full  ranks  during 
the  afternoon,  while  at  intervals  "Poly"  Patier,  with  his  six-pounder  on  Mount  Jefferson, 
reminded  the  citizens  who  thronged  the  streets,  how  British  ranks  fell  before  the  Ken- 
tucky rifles  at  New  Orleans,  and  how  the  hero  of  that  day,  had  in  1832,  pledged  his  oath 
to  hang  the  man  who  would  attempt  to  dissolve  the  Union  as  high  as  Haman. 

Washington's  Birthday  anniversary,  the  22d  of  February,  1861,  was  more  widely 
celebrated  than  it  had  been  for  years.  The  clouds  of  disunion,  gathering  for  some  time,  had 
become  ominously  black  in  the  southern  sky  and  gave  every  evidence  of  being  about  to 
burst  in  armed  treason.  This  gave  great  significance  to  the  celebrations  in  honor  of  the 
Father  of  his  Country,  and  of  that  stern  old  patriot  who  had  sworn  by  the  Eternal  that 
the  Union  must  be  preserved. 

GREAT  UNION  DEMONSTRATION. 

Day  by  day  this  feeling  grew  among  Eastonians.  Every  treasonable  threat  was  duly 
canvassed,  and  increased  the  determination  to  uphold  the  republic  at  every  hazard.  The 
mechanics  and  workingmen,  the  bone  and  sinew  of  every  community,  discussed  the 
threatening  news  early  and  late,  at  their  homes,  in  their  shops  and  at  the  meetings  of 
their  societies.  On  Monday  evening,  February  18,  1861,  they  crowded  the  old  Court 
House  in  the  Square  in  pursuance  of  a  call  for  a  meeting  to  give  expression  to  Union 
sentiment.  John  J.  Otto  presided,  with  vice  presidents  :  Lehigh  Ward,  Max  Gress, 
William  Keller  ;  Bushkill  Ward,  Charles  H.  Yard,  Henry  J.  Young  ;  West  Ward,  Thos. 
Daily,  Aaron  Frey  ;  South  Easton,  H.  Wilhelm,  D.  Sandt  ;  Phillipsbitrg,  J.  S.  Bach, 
James  Price  ;  and  secretaries,  H.  S.  Wagner,  G.  W.  Reichard,  T.  T.  Hamman,  A.  Seip. 

After  some  spirited  remarks  by  the  President  and  Charles  E.  Buck,  Esq.,  Isaac 
Pixley,  an  old  Mexican  War  veteran,  was  called  upon  and  amid  rapturous  applause 
appealed  to  the  laboring  men  to  stand  by  the  stars  and  stripes.  Mr.  Horn  followed,  de- 
nouncing concessions  to  traitors. 

A  long  series  of  resolutions,  intensely  loyal  in  tone,  were  reported  by  a  committee 
appointed  for  the  purpose  and  adopted  by  an  overwhelming  majority.  We  reproduce 
three  of  them  : 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  mechanics  and  workingmen  of  Easton  and  vicinity,  without 
distindlion  of  party,  in  mass  meeting  assembled,  do  hold  that  the  ele(5lion  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  or  any  other  man,  to  the  office  of  President  in  a  legal  and  constitutional  manner, 
is  not  a  fit  or  just  cause  for  the  dismemberment  of  this  great  and  mighty  republic. 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  that  the  rights  of  our  Southern  brethren  are  to  be  main- 
tained in  the  Union,  and  that  we  are  willing  to  make  any  concessions  to  secure  to  them 
their  constitutional  rights  in  the  Union,  and  we  pledge  to  them  our  hearty  co-operation 
in  maintaining  them,  let  them  be  assailed  from  whatever  source  they  may. 


220  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Resolved^  That  we  cannot  consent  to  a  dissolution  of  the  States  upon  any  terms  or 
any  manner  whatever.  That  we  cannot  recognize  secession  as  anything  but  revolution 
and  treason — a  means  employed  by  traitors  to  destroy  the  inestimable  blessings  of  liberty, 
which  were  bought  by  the  blood  of  our  forefathers  and  which  are  as  dear  to  us  as  our  own 
lives.  That  we  are  opposed  to  making  any  concessions  to  those  who  are  laboring  to  sever 
the  bonds  of  our  Union,  by  a6ls  of  secession,  that  would  array  brother  against  brother  in 
hostile  combat,  that  would  trample  in  the  dust  the  stars  and  stripes,  the  only  true  emblem 
of  our  national  liberty  and  greatness,  the  pride  of  every  true  American,  which  has  floated 
so  long  over  our  beloved  country,  and  which  has  been  acknowledged  and  honored  by 
every  nation  and  in  every  commercial  port  throughout  the  civilized  world. 

Addresses  followed  by  John  N.  Durling,  Wilson  H.  Hildebrandt,  Henry  S.  Seip, 
William  N.  Drake,  Peter  Walter  and  George  Finley,  pointed  and  patriotic,  and  pledging 
the  laboring  men  to  the  maintenance  of  the  Union  and  the  enforcement  of  the  laws,  after 
which  the  meeting  adjourned  with  nine  rousing  cheers  for  "  The  Union." 

WASHINGTON'S  BIRTHDAY  OF  1861. 
Many  of  these  workingmen  carried  their  patriotic  zeal  into  the  military  parade  of 
four  days  later,  the  anniversary  of  Washington's  Birthday,  of  which  the  celebration  was 
more  general  in  Easton  than  it  had  been  for  many  years.  '  Poly  '  Patier,  with  his  cannon 
on  Mount  Jefferson,  ushered  in  a  day  whose  sun  was  clear  as  that  of  Austerlitz,  and  to 
many  as  prophetic.  During  the  forenoon  a  company  of  men  and  boys  in  fantastic  dress 
attracted  great  attention  on  all  the  principal  streets,  by  their  suggestive  costumes.  Almost 
all  the  leading  chara(?ters  of  the  day  were  personified.  The  drummer  bore  a  label  on 
which  was  written,  "  Fort  Sumter  cannot  be  taken."  In  the  ranks  a  person  with  a  rope 
about  his  neck,  represented  Governor  Pickens,  of  South  Carolina.  Other  prominent 
persons  and  incidents  were  humorously  portrayed.  The  company  was  followed  by  large 
crowds  who  jeered  and  cheered  them  as  their  varying  fancies  prompted. 

SHAM  BATTLE. 

The  great  attraction  of  the  day,  however,  was  a  sham  battle  between  the  volunteer 
companies,  which  commenced  on  Northampton  street  and  closed  upon  Mount  Jefferson. 
It  was  participated  in  by  the  Saucon  company  of  Northampton  Artillerists,  Captain  Thos. 
W.  Lynn,  the  Easton  Jaegers,  Captain  Charles  Glanz,  the  National  Guard,  Captain  Fer- 
dinand W.  Bell,  and  the  Citizen's  Artillerists,  Captain  Jacob  Dachrodt.  Their  move- 
ments, as  reported  in  the  borough  papers,  are  in  strange  contrast  with  the  serious  work  of 
war  begun  scarcely  two  months  later. 

After  a  skirmish  on  Northampton  street,  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  all  the 
companies  moved  toward  Mount  Jefferson,  through  large  crowds  of  people  gathered  to 
witness  the  scene.  The  Northampton  Artillerists  and  the  Jaegers  were  stationed  on  the 
hill,  protedling  a  mound  crowned  with  the  American  flag.  The  attack  was  made  by  the 
National  Guards  ascending  the  hill  on  the  east  and  the  Citizens'  Artillerists  from  the 
west.  The  movements  were  made  with  skill  and  rapidity  amid  continuous  firing.  Some 
of  the  combatants  became  so  excited  that  quite  a  number  of  flesh  wounds  were  given, 
but  none  of  a  serious  nature.  The  summit  was  finally  taken  and  the  flag  carried  off  in 
triumph.      It  was  a  day  of  rare  sport  to  the  lookers-on,  and  of  good  practice  for  the  \ol- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  22i 

unteers,  in  the  real  warfare  in  which  many  of  them  were  so  soon  to  engage.  A  union 
meeting  was  held  in  the  evening,  after  a  banquet  at  Hulsizer's  hotel,  near  the  Delaware 
bridge.  Earnest  speeches  were  made,  and  with  cheers  for  the  Union,  was  closed  one  of 
the  most  spirited  celebrations  of  the  day  ever  had  in  Easton. 

WAR  INEVITABLE. 
The  fires  of  patriotism  were  fiercely  fanned  throughout  the  loyal  North  during  the 
month  of  March.  Rumors  from  day  to  day  that  Fort  Sumter,  closely  invested  by  earth 
works  of  the  Secessionists,  and  short  of  provisions,  would  be  evacuated,  aroused  strong 
indignation  among  the  citizens  of  Easton,  who  felt  that  the  military  spirit  had  been  fos- 
tered to  little  purpose  if  the  property  of  the  nation  could  be  thus  tamely  surrendered. 
Those  days  of  suspense  to  the  nation  and  the  citizens,  when  war  was  looked  squarely  in 
the  face  and  its  cost  of  national  and  personal  sacrifice  counted,  brought  increased  deter- 
mination on  the  part  of  those  who  were  to  become  our  citizen-soldiery,  and  were  ended 
on  that  ill-omened  Friday,  the  twelfth  day  of  April,  1861,  when  the  telegraph  announced 
that  the  venerable  Edmund  Rufiin,  of  Virginia,  had  inaugurated  the  great  rebellion  by 
firing  the  first  gun  upon  Fort  Sumter. 


EASTON  SCENERY— "MOUNT  JEFFERSON,"  VIEWED  FROM  THE  NORTH. 

[from  a  photograph  by  ROCKFELLOW.] 


THE  WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION 


HE  loudest  call  to  arms  the  nation  had  yet  heard,  followed  the  cannonade 
upon  Fort  Sumter.'  As  in  the  wars  of  the  Revolution,  1812,  and  with 
Mexico,  the  citizens  of  Easton  were  foremost  in  patriotic  response. 

At  the  first  news  of  the  firing  upon  the  stars  and  stripes,  in  the  early 
morning  of  the  twelfth  day  of  April,  1861,  a  call  was  circulated  for  a  pub- 
lic meeting  on  the  evening  of  the  next  day,  Saturday,  April  13,  1861,  to 
raise  men  and  money  for  the  defense  of  the  Republic. 

Notwithstanding  the  short  notice  and  the  falling  of  heavy  rain  at  the 
time  named  for  the  meeting,  the  old  Court  House  in  the  Square  was  filled 
to  its  utmost  capacity,  and  anxious  crowds  swarmed  like  bees  at  its  doors 
and  windows.  Again,  as  in  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  days,  it  resounded 
with  patriotic  appeals  to  arms.  Lists  were  opened,  money  subscribed,  and  volunteers 
raised  ready  for  the  march,  before  the  call  of  the  President,  issued  on  the  following  Mon- 
day, was  published. 

That  packed  audience,  of  but  one  purpose,  was  the  first  of  the  many  immense  war 
meetings  held  in  Easton  during  the  Rebellion.  At  it  and  the  adjourned  Monday  night 
meeting,  were  enrolled  a  large  portion  of  the  first  regiment  of  volunteers  sent  by  Pennsylva- 
nia in  response  to  the  Presidential  call  for  three  months  men.  From  the  borough  news- 
papers of  the  day  we  make  the  following  extracl:s  : 

GREAT  SATURD.W  NIGHT  WAR  MEETING  ON  SUMTER'S  BOMBARDMENT. 
The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Hon.  H.  D.  Maxwell,  who  moved  the  seletlion 
of  Hon.  Samuel  Yohe  as  Chairman. 

The  latter  gentleman,  in  his  usual  earnest  manner,  took  the  chair,  assisted  by  James 
McKeen  and  Captain  John  Stonebach  as  Vice  Presidents  and  Thomas  T.  Miller  and  W. 
H.  Thompson,  as  Secretaries. 

The  following  resolutions  were  moved  in  a  patriotic  and  stirring  speech  by  Judge 
Maxwell,  and  adopted  by  acclamation. 

Whereas,  Men,  certainl}-  misguided,  if  not  wicked,  have  inaugurated  ci\nl  war,  and  are  openly  in  arms 
against  the  institutions,  the  integrity,  and  the  existence  of  the  Republic  of  these  United  States  ;  the  Govern- 
ment which  has  ever  been  our  pride  and  boast,  and  under  whose  fostering  and  proteifling  influences  we  have 
enjoyed  greater  privileges,  greater  comforts  and  greater  blessings  than  have  ever  been  permitted  to  any  people 
or  any  nation  before  ;  and — 

Whereas,  We,  with  united  hearts  and  united  purposes,  while  deploring  the  adls  of  rebellious  men,  are  re- 
solved to  maintain,  sustain,  proteA  and  preserve  the  excellent  Government  secured  for  us  by  the  toil,  sufifering 
and  blood  of  our  patriot  fathers  ;  and  created  by  the  wisdom  aud  intelligence  of  the  venerable  statesmen,  who 
planned  and  formed  our  matchless  Constitution. 

Resolved,  That  as  our  first  atl  we  implore  Him,  who  rules  the  universe  and  governs  men,  to  aid  and  sustain 

us  in  this,  the  time  of  our  national  calamity,  asking  Him  that  He  will,  in  His  mercy,  avert  the  continuance  of 

the  hostilities  which  have  been  commenced,  and  will  protect  and  preser\'e  this  Republic,  whose  existence  He  has 

so  remarkaVjIy  favored  and  prospered,  and  upon  whose  people  He  has  showered  so  many  benefits  and  blessings. 

A'eso/c'ed,  That  we  denounce  the  rebellion  which  has  led  to  these  attacks  upon  the  forces  of  the  Republic, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


223 


the  property  of  the  Republic  and  the  flag  of  the  Republic  of  these  United  States,  as  wicked  and  traitorous,  and 
call  upon  its  citizens  to  rally  in  mass  to  uphold  and  sustain  our  Government  in  opposing  and  quelling  it. 

Resolved,  That  we,  a  portion  of  the  people  of  Pennsylvania,  here  pledge  ourselves  to  stand  by  the  consti- 
tution and  the  Government  of  these  United  States,  and  resist  to  the  very  last  every  attack  made  upon  them  ; 
and  now  proffer  our  aid  in  every  way  in  which  we  can  be  of  benefit  to  the  service,  to  preserve  this  Republic  in 
its  existence  and  integrity,  against  any  and  every  force  that  may  be  arrayed  against  it. 

Resolved,  That  lists  be  now  opened  for  volunteers,  who  will  march  whenever  and  wherever  called  upon  by 
the  proper  authorities  of  the  State  or  Nation,  to  defend  the  institutions  we  cherish,  the  Republic  we  love,  and 
thereby  protect  the  homes  we  revere. 

Resolved.  That  a  subscription  be  now  opened  for  the  purpose  of  raising  and  securing  the  necessary  means 
and  funds  to  defray  the  expenses  of  equipping  and  maintaining  the  volunteer  force  so  proffered. 

Resolved,  That  the  funds  so  raised  be  paid  to  a  Treasurer,  to  be  now  appointed  by  this  meeting,  as  shall 
be  ordered  by  a  committee  of  seven,  to  be  also  now  selected,  which  committee  is  further  authorized  to  take  all 
proper  measures  to  carry  out  the  views  and  obje<5ts  of  this  meeting. 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  reported  by  telegraph  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  to  the  Governor  of  this  Commonwealth. 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  published  in  all  the  newspapers  of  the  borough. 

Committees  to  receive  the  names  of  volunteers  were  appointed  as  follows  : 

Bushkill  Ward^^'\\X\2iVa.  H.  Armstrong,  Peter  Baldy. 

Lehigh  Ward — John  Stonebach,  George  W.  Reichard. 

West  Ward — John  J.  Horn,  Charles  P.  Emmons. 

South  Eastoji — Emanuel  R.  Shelling,  Thomas  McKeen,  Jr. 

Daniel  Whitesell  was  named  to  receive  names  of  volunteers  from  the  country  outside 
of  the  borough. 

The  meeting  was  loud  in  applause  of  earnest  speeches  made  by  Judge  Maxwell,  Sam- 
uel L.  Cooley,  Peter  Baldy,  Silas  C.  Cook,  Charles  Goepp  and  William  H.  Armstrong, 
Esquires. 

Lists  were  opened  for  volunteers  and  the  names  of  over  one  hundred  persons  obtained. 
Subscriptions  of  several  thousand  dollars  were  received  towards  a  fund  for  payment  of 
their  equipment  and  other  expenses  by  the  following  finance  committee  appointed  by  the 
chair  :  Alexander  Wilson,  McEvers  Forman,  Thomas  T.  Miller,  Daniel  H.  Shnyder,  Henry 
S.  Seip,  Derrick  Hulick  and  William  H.  Thompson. 

Telegrams  received  previous  to  the  meeting,  of  the  brave  stand  of  General  Anderson 
at  Fort  Sumter,  and  his  forced  surrender,  intensified  the  excitement.  Never  had  the  old 
Court  House,  in  the  more  than  a  century  of  its  existence,  seen  such  a  crowded  and  earnest 
assemblage  of  citizens.  The  cannonading  at  Sumter  found  prompt  echoes,  in  shouts  of 
determination  to  uphold  the  Union  at  all  hazards.  Grave  men  who  took  part  in  the 
business  of  the  meeting  within  its  bar,  and  excited  men  and  boys  who  crowded  its  doors 
and  windows,  and  filled  all  approaches  to  the  building,  vied  with  each  other  in  earnest 
effort,  and  proved  their  devotion  by  later  duty  in  the  field. 

Those  war  meetings  were  a  fitting  finale  to  the  proud  record  of  that  neat  old  cruciform 
stru(5ture.  It  had,  in  its  early  history,  witnessed  gatherings  of  the  old  Continentals  to 
march  to  a  war  which  resulted  in  emancipation  from  British  tyranny.  The  close  of  that 
history  was  to  see  worthy  sons  of  those  worthy  sires  march  to  a  war,  which,  waged  to  pre- 
serve our  integrity  as  a  nation,  left  us  free  in  fact  as  in  name. 

At  a  late  hour  that  Saturday  night  the  crowds  dispersed  from  the  meeting  to  gather 
in  groups  on  the  street  corners  during  the  Sunday  and  Monday  following,  for  discussion 


224  THE  HISTORY  OF 

of  the  speediest  means  the  nation  could  take  to  resent  the  outrage  and  reclaim  her  fort, 
and  punish  its  assailants.  At  their  homes,  and  in  the  churches,  the  condition  of  the  coun- 
try was  canvassed  and  prayed  for.  The  fires  of  patriotism,  here  as  elsewhere,  were  fed 
from  home  altars.  The  ladies  of  Easton  were  also  prompt  in  patriotic  duty.  The  large 
attendance  at  the  adjourned  meeting  on  Monday  night  was  due  in  no  small  measure  to 
their  home  appeals. 

THE  ADJOURNED  MEETING. 

In  spite  of  inclement  weather  the  old  Court  House  was  crowded  at  the  adjourned 
meeting,  and  again  its  windows,  doors  and  sidewalks  were  thronged  with  earnest  citizens. 
The  expelled  proclamation  of  President  Lincoln  had  been  issued  that  day.  Its  mild  but 
determined  appeals  did  not  fall  unheeded.  They  were  eloquently  dwelt  upon  by  Rev. 
James  Y.  Mitchell,  of  Phillipsburg,  and  Hon.  H.  D.  Maxwell  and  others.  Reports  of  com- 
mittees announcing  that  two  hundred  volunteers  were  ready,  in  addition  to  the  three 
military  companies  of  the  borough — then  filling  up  their  ranks — and  that  large  subscrip- 
tions had  been  received,  and  that  the  same  had  been  duly  reported  to  the  President,  were 
heard  with  cheers  that  made  the  old  Court  House  resound  with  their  echoes. 

The  following  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved^  That  Henry  D.  Maxwell  be  a  committee  to  proceed  forthwith  to  Harris- 
burg  and  present  to  his  Excellency,  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  the  proceedings  of  the 
meeting  held  here  on  Saturday  evening  last,  with  the  further  acftion  of  and  reports  made 
to  this  meeting  to-night,  and  ascertain  what  further  will  be  required,  and  also  procure  all 
necessary  information  as  to  what  will  be  desired  from  us  here. 

Amid  repeated  cheering  the  meeting  then  adjourned  to  meet  on  the  following  Wed- 
nesday evening  when  a  report  from  the  messenger  sent  to  the  Governor  could  be  expected. 

GROWING   PATRIOTISM. 

Many  evidences  of  the  increasing  patriotism  were  now  apparent.  Flags  appeared  on 
the  buildings  and  in  the  windows  of  business  stands  of  the  more  enthusiastic  citizens.  In 
neat  designs,  too,  the  stars  and  stripes  were  worn  upon  the  persons  of  many,  notably  the 
ladies,  ever  ready  to  foster  the  sentiment  of  any  good  and  patriotic  work.  Sumter  had 
hardly  fallen  before  the  Franklin  Literary  Association,  a  local  club,  placed  a  flag  on  Rader's 
building  at  the  north-west  corner  of  the  public  square,  amid  plaudits  of  hundreds  of  men, 
women  and  children  hastily  assembled.  The  appearance  of  a  procession  on  South  Third 
street  with  martial  music  and  bearing  aloft  three  large  national  flags,  added  to  the  num- 
bers and  excitement  upon  the  streets.  As  they  neared  the  Square  it  was  found  to  be 
largely  composed  of  young  ladies  from  the  cotton  mill  of  South  Easton,  who  had  prepared 
the  flags  for  the  companies  going  to  the  front.  They  were  greeted  with  rounds  of  cheers 
from  the  thronged  sidewalks  and  the  masses  in  the  Square.  Many  a  young  man  at  sight  of 
the  banners  so  proudly  borne  by  the  ladies,  resolved  to  bear  arms  in  their  defense. 
DEPARTURE   OF  THE  THREE   MONTHS   MEN. 

Meanwhile  the  lists  in  the  hands  of  the  committees  had  been  rapidly  filling  witli  names 
of  volunteers.  One  hundred  and  eighty  men  formed  in  ranks  in  the  north-west  corner  of 
the  Public  Square  on  Thursday  morning,  April  i8,  in  two  companies,  to  take  train  for 
Harrisburg.     The  Square  and  its  approaclics  were  crowded  with  people  of  all  classes — 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


225 


old  and  young,  male  and  female.  Fathers,  mothers,  sisters  and  brothers  assembled  to  bid 
farewell.  Thousands  of  eyes  glistened  in  patriotic  pride  as  the  ranks  of  able  bodied  and 
valorous  men,  under  the  lead  of  Judge  Samuel  Yohe, 
soon  to  be  their  Colonel,  and  of  William  H.  Arm- 
strong and  Charles  A.  Heckman,  to  be  Captains  of  the 
respedlive  companies,  to  the  music  of  Pomp's  Cornet 
Baud,  marched  to  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  depot. 
On  their  way  they  halted  at  the  residence  of  Hon. 
Andrew  H.  Reeder,  on  South  Third  street,  near  the 
Square,  where  they  received  two  elegant  silk  flags, 
the  gift  of  the  ladies  of  Easton.  After  a  fervent  prayer 
by  Rev.  Job  Halsey,  Governor  Reeder  on  behalf  of  the 
ladies,  who  thronged  the  windows  and  the  steps  of 
his  residence  from  which  he  spoke,  presented  the  flags 
in  neat  and  appropriate  words,  to  which  Captains  Arm- 
strong and  Heckman  gave  brief  and  patriotic  respon- 
ses. Thousands  lined  the  streets  on  their  further 
march  to  the  depot  and  witnessed  their  departure  on 
the  train  for  Harrisburg  where  they  were  to  be  armed 
and  equipped.  These  companies  were  known  subse- 
quently as  companies  C  and  D  of  the  First  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers.  On  the  Saturday  following,  April 
20,  the  firing  of  a 
cannon  on  Mount  Jefferson,  told,  as  by  arrangement, 
of  another  assemblage  of  volunteers.  Again  the  Square 
was  crowded,  and  amid  like  scenes  and  ceremonies 
and  presentations  of  flags,  after  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr. 
John  Gray  and  speeches  by  Silas  C.  Cook  and  Charles 
Wykoff",  Esqs.,  to  martial  music  from  Pomp's  well- 
known  band,  and  down  the  same  street,  thronged  with 
multitudes  of  applauding  citizens,  marched  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy  sturdy  men  in  two  companies — the 
Easton  National  Guards,  commanded  by  Captain 
Ferdinand  W.  Bell,  and  known  later  as  Company  H, 
and  the  Citizens  Artillery,  Captain  Jacob  Dachrodt, 
known  later  as  Company  B,  both  of  the  First  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers — to  the  same  depot  to  take  train 
to  Harrisburg  for  arms  and  equipment. 

At  this  time  another  company,  the  Easton 
Jaegers,  Captain  Charles  Glanz,  was  rapidly  filling  its 
ranks.     They  left  upon  the  Monday  morning  follow-  1 

ing,  April  22,  bearing  a  flag  also  presented  by  the    Capt.Co.  h.fii 
ladies,  and  escorted  by  Pomp's  Band  and  a  multitude 
of  citizens.     They  entered  the  Ninth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  under  command  of  Captain 
Richard  A.  Graeffe,  as  Company  G,  of  which  regiment  their  late  captain,  Cliarles  Glauz, 


William  H.  Ariv 
Captain  Co.  C,  ist  P.  V.     Lt.  Col.  129th  : 
(From  Brady's  War  Photographs.) 


"'"'  ^:^^^. 


'.v.    Capt.Co. 

■  Photograph  ) 


>^ 


,51st  P.  V. 


226 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


became  Major.  The  read)-  and  full  response  of  volunteers  from  Easton  gave  them  position 
among  the  first  troops  formed  into  regimental  organization.  The  first  four  companies 
were  mustered  into  ser\'ice  April  20,  1861,  eight  days  after  fire  was  opened  upon  Fort  Sum- 
ter.     The  Jaegers  were  mustered  of  date  April  24,  186 1. 

FIRST   REGIMENT  PENNSYLVANIA   VOLUNTEERS. 

The  chairman  of  the  famous  Saturday  night  meeting,  Judge  Samuel  Yohe,  was  made 
Colonel  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  Jacob  R.  Ludlow  and  William  H.  H.  Mich- 
ler,  physicians  of  Easton,  became  respectively  its  Surgeon  and  Assistant  Surgeon. 

We  regret  that  we  have  not  the  names  of  all  who  volunteered.  Their  numbers  were 
largely  in  e.xce.ss  of  the  allowance  of  the  mustering  orders.  Some,  too,  were  excluded  by 
age  and  physical  disability.  All  were  alike  patriotic  and  should  appear  upon  our  printed 
lists.     The  best  we  can  do  is  to  give  their  names  as  they  are  found  upon  the  muster-roll. 

Equally  worthy  of  record  are  the  names  of  the  patriotic  citizens  who  accompanied  the 
volunteers  to  Harrisburg  and  provided  their  meals.  The  chairman  of  the  financial  com- 
mittee, Alexander  Wilson,  Esq.,  was  adlive  in  discharge  of  duty  and  fully  alive  to  the 
interests  of  the  men. 

The  regiment  left  Harrisburg  on  the  night  of  its  muster  and  proceeded  to  Cockeys- 
ville,  via  the  Northern  Central  railway,  where  it  was  held  under  orders  from  W^ashington. 
Its  regimental  history  will  be  again  referred  to. 

The  names  of  the  Easton  Volunteers  are  taken  from  the  muster-rolls  as  given  in  Bates' 
History  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 

COMPANY    B. 
(Recruited  at  Easton.     Mustered  in  April  20,  1861.) 

Fourth  Sergeant — Samuel  H.  Barnes. 
First  Corporal — Edward  Cook. 
Second  Corporal — Max  Wik. 
Third  Corporal — G.  William  Barron. 
Fourth  Corporal — John  H.  Bruch. 


Captain — Jacob  Dachrodt. 
First  Lieutenant— GoAirey  Mutchler. 
Second  Lieutenant — Charles  Eichman. 
First  Sergeant^ames  F.  Meyers. 
Second  Sergeant — ^Jacob  F.  Rafferty. 
Third  Sergeant— Andrew  Burt. 


John  A.  Bixler, 
Solomon  Bigley, 
John  Banner, 
John  W.  Bittenbender, 
Jacob  Bassett, 
Gideon  A.  Barnes, 
Edwin  D.  Bleckley, 
Lawrence  Bitzer, 
P.  M.  Church, 
John  A.  Dachrodt, 
Paul  Darmer, 
Jacob  N.  Dittler, 
William  D   Davi.s, 
John  Everetts, 
William  Eichman, 
Richard  Frounfelter, 
Leonard  Frankenfield, 
Levi  Frounfelter, 
James  G.  Fargo, 
Joseph  A.  Ginnerd, 
Abraham  Gardner, 


Musicians- 
PRIVATES. 
Andrew  I.  Ha}-, 
John  Q.  Hay, 
Daniel  E.  Hineline, 
Herman  Hill, 
John  Hetzell, 
Frederick  W.  Huble, 
George  H.  Hahn, 
William  Hartzell, 
Charles  Imick, 
W.  H.  Kromer, 
Lewis  F.  Kromer, 
Edgar  Kemmerer, 
John  S.  Lerch, 
Joseph  Levers, 
F.  Lynn. 
James  P.  Moser, 
William  H.  Moritz, 
Peter  S.  Michler, 
Joseph  S-  Myers, 
John  Purser, 
.'\ndrew  Rodgers, 


■Samuel  Bruch,  William  H.  Ginnerd. 


Franklin  Rinker, 
Jacob  Rinek, 
John  W.  Ricker, 
Charles  P.  Shelter, 
Maximilian  Smith, 
Charles  Schortz, 
Frederick  Schweb, 
Samuel  Schaffer, 
.\maiides  Scljook, 
Jos.  W.  Sa\-itz, 
J.  Lewis  Singer, 
Wm.  Smith, 
Wm.  Schmitzer, 
Edward  O.  Smith, 
Reuben  Schlabach, 
Valentine  Smith, 
Wm.  F.  Snyder, 
William  Steer, 
William  A.  Templin, 
William  T.  Troxell, 
Wm.  I.  Ziegeiifuss, 


i 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


227 


(Recruited  ; 
Captain — William  H.  Armstrong. 
First  Lieutenant — Robert  Ramsden. 
Second  Lieutenant — Charles  H.  Yard. 
First  Sergeant — Lawrence  Bonstein. 
Second  Sergeant— ^m.  H.  Weaver. 
Third  Sergeant— ?>a.\ii\xe\  Stewart. 


George  W.  Arndt, 
Charles  Arnold, 
Charles  Barnet, 
John  Broadback, 
Richard  N.  Bitters, 
Jonathan  Bull, 
John  P.  Billings, 
Geo.  Colbath, 
Daniel  J.  Carey, 
John  Callahan, 
William  Colbath, 
George  E.  Cyphers, 
John  Cook, 
George  A.  Diehl, 
Samuel  W.  Drew, 
George  H.  Freyhart, 
Stephen  Gross, 
John  S.  Green, 
Owen  Garis, 
Edwin  Gephart, 
David  Heath, 
Alvin  Huffbrd, 


COMPANY   C. 

Easton.     Mustered  in  April  20,  i86i.) 

Fourth  Sergeant— Vr\>!mvii,  Weirbach. 
First  Cor/oraif— William  B.  Mettler. 
Second  Corporal — Emanuel  R.  Shelling. 
Third  Co/'/om/— Edward  Wortley. 
Fourth  Corporal — Daniel  Laubach. 
Musicians — Wm   A.  Heckman,  Joseph  Young 
PRIVATES. 


Henry  Huber, 
James  Ihrie, 
Martin  Kichlin 
Martin  V.  B. 
Thomas  Kilkerry, 
William  H.  Kline, 
Charles  H.  Leshoer, 
John  Lynd, 
Lawrence  Moser, 
Isaac  M.  Myers, 
Henry  Mover, 
Benjamin  F.  Moyer, 
Philip  L.  Moser, 
Francis  Mowry, 
John  Murray, 
Bernard  Merwarth, 
Henry  Miller, 
Samuel  Paxson, 
William  Pharo, 
Jacob  Rustay, 
Joseph  Rougay, 

COMPANY   D. 


George  W.  Sigman, 
John  G.  Snyder, 
Wm.  H.  Stultz, 
Peter  Smith, 
Perry  Simons, 
Chas.  Schlegel, 
Richard  Shelling, 
Augustus  Shelling, 
Isaac  Stiles, 
Daniel  Troxell, 
James  P.  Tilton, 
James  Van  Campen, 
Joseph  Vogel, 
Owen  J.  Weida, 
John  D.  Weller, 
Augustus  Weiss, 
Wm.  Wyker, 
Josiah  Weber, 
George  W.  Wagener, 
William  Wolfram, 
John  Wolfram. 


(Recruited  at  Easton.     Mustered  in  April  20,  186 
Ca/>/a/«— Charles  A.  Heckman. 
First  Lieutenant— ]ames  F.  Thompson. 
Second  Lieutenant— WMiam  H.  Able. 
First  Sergeant — Joseph  Oliver. 
Second  Sergeant — Henry  Arndt. 
Third  Sergeant — William  A.  Bachman. 


Samuel  Adams, 
Amandus  Attel, 
Jabez  Alsover, 
John  Andrews, 
John  W.  Bowman, 
William  Blane, 
Joseph  Bowers, 
Thomas  Boyd, 
James  \.  Brodie, 
Jeremiah  Cooper, 
Isaac  C.  Clymer, 
George  E.  Diehl, 
Matthew  Delaney, 
Samuel  I.  Emmons, 
Edward  Finster, 
Alfred  Finster, 
James  Ferguson, 
James  G.  Gallaghan, 
Edward  B.  Gallaghan, 
John  J.  Gangwer, 
Samuel  I.  Heintzelman, 


PRIVATES. 
Frank  A.  Hubbell, 
David  W.  Huber, 
Alexander  W.  Hoyt, 
Jacob  A.  Hawk, 
James  E.  Hulsizer, 
Christian  Hammer, 
Silas  Hulsizer, 
Wilson  I.  Hagerman, 
William  C.  Hixson, 
Luther  Horn, 
Henry  Innes, 
Joseph  Ihrie, 
David  E.  Kichline, 
Adam  H.  Lane, 
John  I.  Levers, 
Chas.  P.  Levers, 
James  B.  Meldrum, 
Frederick  C.  Mattes, 
Charles  Meyer, 
Patrick  M'Donald, 
Lewis  Morrell, 


Fourtli  Sergeant— C3.\v\n  Pardee. 
First  Corporal — Edward  S.  Carroll. 
Second  Corporal — Flavins  G.  Arrowsmith. 
Third  Corporal — Augustus  Stewart. 
Fourtli  Cor/ora/— Benjamin  J.  Hillman. 
Musician— "ErWrn  Hartzell. 


George  M.  Oberly, 
William  H.  Pace, 
Robert  R.  Phillips, 
Abraham  A.  Raub, 
Robert  Reese, 
Philip  Richard, 
Thomas  P.  Ricketts, 
George  Reese, 
William  A.  Smith, 
John  P.  B.  Sloan, 
William  H.  Seip, 
Edward  A.  Shouse, 
George  H.  Shaffer, 
Albert  N.  Seip, 
Albert  Steele, 
Thomas  Snyder, 
James  Simons, 
Theodore  Troxell, 
David  E.  Troxell, 
Thomas  Wagner, 
Abraham  K.  Young. 


228 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


COMPANY    H. 
(Recruited  at  Easton.     Mustered  in  April  21 


ra/:>/a!K— Ferdinand  W.  Bell. 
First  Lieutenant — Jacob  G.  Barnet. 
Second  Lieutenant — George  L.  Fried. 
First  Sergeant— ]o\\n  V.  Fried. 
Second  Sergeant — James  McGloin. 
Third  Sergeant— Kohen  Burrell. 

Charles  Arnold, 
John  H.  Buck, 
Samuel  Buckley, 
Benjamin  Beatty, 
Silas  Beers, 
James  Barnet, 
John  S.  Barnet, 
James  P.  Buck, 
George  Buller, 
Edward  Bender, 
James  Bryson, 
George  Burrell, 
John  Bryson, 
John  Bittner, 
Edward  Bullman, 
James  Ballantine, 
John  L.  Clifton, 
Henry  A.  Daley, 
Benjamin  Dew, 
John  Dingier, 
Charles  Elliott, 
Samuel  Fraunfelder, 


PRIVATES. 
Jacob  Freyberger, 
George  Frey, 
Frank  Ginkinger, 
Charles  A.  Gosner. 
John  B.  Haines, 
George  Hutman, 
David  Hutman, 
Joseph  Harmony, 
James  M.  Hoyt, 
Charles  W.  Kinsey, 
Peter  King, 
Charles  A.  Levan, 
Samuel  Moore, 
John  Moore, 
John  VV.  Meeker, 
Alexander  Mbser, 
William  S.  Mellick, 
Joseph  M'Laughlin, 
John  S.  Miller, 
Ervin  Miller, 
Samuel  Neigh, 


Fourth  Sergeant — Augustus  Heller. 
First  Corfiorat— Robert  Ballantine. 
Second  Corpora/— William  Osterstock. 
Third  Corporat— Dame]  Phillippe. 
Fourth  ror/>ora/— William  Diehl. 


George  Nicholas, 
Daniel  Nicholas, 
Henry  Pittenger, 
Solon  Phillippe, 
John  Randolph, 
William  L.  Snyder, 
Richard  Seip, 
Frank  Snyder, 
Samuel  Sandt, 
George  Sunderland, 
Edw.  Seals, 
Samuel  Transue, 
William  H.  Unangst, 
Richard  Williams, 
William  Wilking, 
John  C.  West, 
Adam  Ward, 
Thomas  Weaver, 
Reuben  Weiss, 
John  B.  Wilson, 
Charles  Wykoff. 


COMPANY   G. 


(Recruited 
Ca/>/a!«— Richard  A.  Graeffe. 
First  Lieutenant — Charles  Goepp. 
Second  Lieutenant — Frank  A,  Hetrich. 
First  Sergeant — Francis  Mildenberger. 
Second  Sergeant— ]ohn  Cooneyer. 
Third  Sergeant — Martin  Goth. 


John  Adler 
Jacob  Beck 
George  Bie 
Adolphus  Dennig, 
Jacob  Ecker, 
George  Elhard, 
Frederick  Epple, 
Martin  Epple, 
Charles  Franklin, 
Daniel  Friedewald, 
Bernhard  Frothier, 
Henry  E.  Froelich, 
Anthony  Gehr, 
Henry  fienther. 
Otto  Glanz, 
John  Haemmerlein, 
Christian  G.  Hermann, 
Joseph  Hetzler, 
Charles  Huber, 
John  Hunter, 
John  Hutmacher, 
Charles  Kaiser, 


in  April  24,  1861.) 
Fourth  Sergeant — Joseph  Hoefler. 
First  Corpora/— Francis  Pfeffer. 
Second  Corpora/ — Francis  Ries. 
T/iird  Corpora/— George  Wahler. 
Fourth  Corpora/— Olio  Hersh. 
Musiciatts — Joseph  Flad,  William  Weber. 


PRIVATES. 


Godfrey  Kaiser, 
William  Kaltenbach, 
Gustavus  Kemmerer, 
Ignace  Kiefer, 
Henry  Klette, 
John  Kern, 
Andrew  Klump, 
Maurice  Laetius, 
Joseph  Long, 
Anthony  Lieberman, 
Henry  Lingeman, 
Augustus  Loeflfelmann, 
David  Loeffler, 
Godfrey  Lutz, 
Frederick  Meyer, 
John  Meyer, 
Peter  Messinger, 
Charles  Miller, 
Dr.  George  Miller, 
Anthony  Mock, 
Pius  Moll, 
George  Palmer, 


Hermann  Pfisterer, 
John  Pfleger, 
Augustus  Ries, 
Conrad  Ries, 
Joseph  Ries, 
Frederick  Roesler, 
Aaron  Rogers, 
Rudolph  Rapp, 
Frederick  Roth, 
Julius  Schaler, 
George  Schrog, 
Jacob  Schwartz, 
John  H.  Stein, 
David  F.  Strauss, 
Henry  Sturm, 
Andrew  Snomann, 
George  Swaddell, 
Clement  Weber, 
Charles  Weidknecht, 
Lewis  Wendenburg, 
Jacob  Wettlaeufer, 
John  White. 


i 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


229 


RHODE  ISLAND  MARINE  ARTILLERY  AND  FLAG  RAISING  BY  THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 
The  war  fever  in  Easton  was  not  a  little  increased  by  the  arrival  of  a  company  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Marine  Artillery  on  Saturday,  April  20,  i'86i.  They  were  quartered  in  the 
Fair  Grounds  by  permission  of  its  diredlors,  and  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  men  and 
ninety-seven  horses,  with  six  brass  rifled  twelve-pound  cannon,  all  under  command  of 
Colonel  Tomkins,  as  they  marched  up  Northampton  street,  gave  the  already  excited  citi- 
zens new  ideas  of  "the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war."  They  had  left  in  such 
haste  that  their  blankets  had  not  been  duly  made.  This  was  done  by  the  ladies  of  Easton 
during  their  brief  stay,  and  a  blanket  made  for  each  man  from  the  material  furnished  by 
the  company. 

This  artillery  company  opened  the  interesting  exercises  of  the  Tuesday  following, 
(April  23)  on  the  part  of  the  children  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Easton,  by  a  salute  from 
their  field  pieces  on  College  Hill.  All  the  schools,  the  board  of  directors,  the  clergy  of 
the  borough,  were  assembled  on  the  green  before  the  High  School  building,  while  the 
street  in  its  front  was  crowded  with  citizens.     At  the  artillery  salute  four  bright  flags  of 

stars  and  stripes  were  run  up  to  the  music  of  the 
"StarSpangled  Banner"  played  by  Pomp'sCornet 
Band.  An  appropriate  prayer  by  Rev.  Cornelius 
H.  Edgar  followed,  and  then  the  "Star  Spangled 
Banner"  was  sung  by  the  children.  After  a  brief 
address  by  B.  F.  Stem,  Esq.,  one  of  the  teachers 
^^i(u~'^i^^SBS^^^^^^^"'  of  the  High  School,  "  America"  was  sung  by  the 

children.  The  children,  directors,  clergy  and 
citizens  then  proceeded  to  the  West  Ward  school  building  where  like  ceremonies  were 
observed  and  two  flags  raised.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Mr.  Eckert  and  Rev.  John  Beck 
made  appropriate  remarks.  Dr.  Traill  Green,  President  of  the  Board  of  Direcflors,  and 
Edward  F.  Stewart,  Esq.,  one  of  its  members,  also  made  pertinent  speeches.  The  cere- 
monies were  of  the  most  orderly  character,  and  long  will  the  day  be  remembered  by  the 
school  children  for  its  lessons  of  loyalty  to  the  stars  and  stripes. 

The  incidents  of  that  memorable  April  in  Easton  cannot,  we  regret,  be  fully  given. 
In  the  twenty-five  years  since  numbered,  many  matters  well  worthy  of  note  have  passed 
from  recollecftion.  At  times  business  was  almost  suspended.  Individual  volunteering 
continued  at  a  rapid  rate  and  many  of  our  best  volunteers  gave  credit  to  organizations  not 
local.  The  following  minutes  from  the  borough  press  will  show  that  the  war  feeling  was 
strongly  on  the  increase  in  the  early  part  of  the  May  following. 

VOLUNTEERING  IN  MAY,  1861. 
On  Saturday,  May  4,  1861,  the  Commissioners  of  the  County  of  Northampton  hon- 
ored the  old  Court  House,  in  which  so  many  patriotic  meetings  had  been  held,  by  placing 
above  it  the  national  flag.  Captain  Peter  Baldy's  company  of  volunteers  sang  patriotic 
songs  as  it  unfolded  to  the  breeze,  and  Matthew  Hale  Jones  and  Edward  J.  Fox,  Esquires, 
made  appropriate  speeches  to  the  large  audience  gathered  in  the  Square.  By  the  same 
authority  a  flag  was  placed  upon  the  new  Court  House  in  the  western  part  of  the  borough. 

WAR   ALARM    IN    NEW  JERSEY. 

On  the  same  day.  May  4,  Captain  Peter  Baldy  marched  his  company,  the  sixth  com- 


23° 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


EASTON    SCENERY- 


VIEWED    FROM    LEHIGH    HILL. 


pany  of  volunteers  raised  in  Easton,  in  response  to  a  call  of  Major  Charles  Sitgreaves, 
Mayor  of  Phillipsburg.  The  Mayor  stated  that  there  were  six  persons  in  Feit's  woods, 
near  Phillipsburg,  dressed  like  regulars  of  the  United  States  Army,  armed  with  guns, 
and  supposed  to  be  deserters.  Captain  Baldy  with  his  command  met  the  supposed  desert- 
ers on  the  Delaware  bridge,  and  escorted  them  to  the  armory  of  the  National  Guards. 
Brief  inquiry  soon  revealed  the  fact,  that  so  far  from  being  deserters,  they  were  Germans 
of  two  weeks'  residence  in  the  country,  one  of  them  an  old  soldier  in  Italy's  war  for  lib- 
erty, and  all  trying  to  find  their  way  to  Washington  to  fight  for  the  Union.  I\Ir.  Solomon 
Troutman,  with  others  of  our  citizens,  entertained  them  until  ^londay  when  they  left  for 
Harrisburg  with  Captain  Bald\-. 

EA.STON  VOLUNTEKR-S  IN  THE  PENNSYLVANIA  RE.SERVES. 
The  departure  of  the  sixth  company  of  Easton  volunteers,  on  IMonday,  May  6,  1861, 
was  made,  although  the  weather  was  very  unpleasant,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  number 
of  persons.  It  was  the  first  company  under  the  later  call  for  three  years  men.  It  received 
a  beautiful  flag  as  a  present  from  the  citizens,  while  its  captain,  Peter  Baldy,  Esq.,  a  for- 
mer Distridl  Attorney  of  the  county,  was  presented  with  a  sword,  pistol  and  purse  by  mem- 
bers of  the  bar  and  others  of  the  citizens.  John  J.  Horn,  one  of  its  lieutenants,  teaciier  of 
the  (Trammar  School  of  West  Ward,  was  ])reseiitcd  with  a  beautiful  re\-olver  and  an  ele- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


231 


gantly  bound  copy  of  the  Bible,  by  the  teachers  of  the  Public  Schools.  Hon.  Peter  F. 
Eilenberger,  a  man  open-handed  and  open-hearted  in  deeds  of  kindness  to  volunteers,  pro- 
vided for  them  a  fine  dinner  upon  their  arrival  at  Harrisburg. 

This  company  was  mustered  into  service  May  30,  1861,  in  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania 
Reserves,  (Forty-first  of  the  line)  as  Company  E  ;  its  captain,  Peter  Baldy,  becoming 
Major  of  the  regiment,  and  by  promotion  August  30,  1862,  Lieutenant  Colonel.  Its  mili- 
tary history  will  be  again  referred  to.  * 

COMPANY   E,  TWELFTH   PENNSYLVANIA    RESERVES. 


Captain— ]o\m.  ] .  Horn. 

"  Francis  Schelling. 

First  Lieutenant — Edward  Kelley. 

J.  C.  Fackenthall. 
Second  Lieutenant — William  Lind. 
First  Sergeant — James  Johnston. 
"  "  Henry  Hess. 

William  Ruch. 
Reuben  L.  Miller. 
William  F.  Keller. 
Theodore  F.  Hance. 
William  R.  Kidd. 
"  "  John  Herp. 

Aaron  E.  Beisel, 
Max  Bertrand, 
John  H.  Boran, 
Daniel  Brounell, 
Robert  G.  Barnes, 
Leopold  Beck, 
William  H.  Bodley, 
Joseph  Barros, 
Jacob  M.  Buchter, 
John  Barry, 
Joseph  Bird, 
James  Cummiskey, 
Ramsey  Case, 
Charles  Custard, 
Hoffman  Connor, 
James  Devine, 
William  Dice, 
Daniel  Eli, 
Josiah  Ettleman, 
Landers  Everett, 
Casper  Echelstien, 
William  Frederick, 
Adam  Fisher, 
Paul  H.  Fischel, 
Jervis  Gould, 
David  H.  Graham, 
William  F.  Handwork, 
John  Haggerty, 
John  H.  Hummell, 
Matthew  Haase, 
William  Handwork, 
William  Hardin, 


PRIVATES. 
William  Ivey, 
Warren  H.  Joline, 
Sydney  Kuehner, 
Josiah  Kirkendall, 
Jeremiah  Klein, 
Edward  Kimble, 
John  W.  Leffel, 
Jacob  Leidv, 
Edward  Leidy, 
Jacob  Moyer, 
Barney  Maloy, 
Jacob  Muffley, 
John  May, 

Thomas  McCormick, 
Amandus  Miller, 
George  A.  Miller, 
John  Nunnemacher, 
Robert  Nolf, 
Fort  W.  Nicholas, 
Savilian  Otto, 
Michael  O'Brien, 
Isaac  Peifer, 
James  Pilkenton, 
Jesse  Roseberry, 
George  Retzler, 
Lewis  Roth, 
William  Raub, 
Calvin  Reed, 
Paul  Roth, 
Thomas  Ruth, 
Charles  F.  Rothweiler, 
William  H .  Santee, 


t"br/!>o/-a/— David  Campbell. 
"  Samuel  Tolan. 

"  James  H.  Coffin. 

"  Daniel  H.  Lanbach. 

C.  F.  Oestricker. 
"  Aaron  Bosler. 

"  George  Derhammer. 

"  William  J.  Kuehner. 

'"  George  Ketchledge. 

"  J.  H.  Missinger. 

Musician — John  H.  Wolf. 

Thomas  Duffin. 


Lewis  Stein, 
Stephen  Sholes, 
Patrick  Shine, 
Robert  W.  Surrill, 
Lewis  H.  Sassaman, 
Lewis  Schenk, 
Philip  Seagler, 
Joseph  Snyder, 
Peter  S.  Snvder, 
Christian  F.  Smith, 
Urias  Stahr, 
William  Schooley, 
John  P.  Tro-xell, 
Benjamin  Tallman, 
Benjamin  Troxell, 
George  Troxell, 
William  Traugh, 
Samuel  Traugh, 
Charles  R.  Teelin, 
James  Taylor, 
Joseph  Trexler, 
John  Williams, 
Robert  White, 
John  Worman, 
John  B,  Wilson, 
William  H.  Weaver, 
Robert  Warner, 
John  Wought, 
George  Walls, 
Albert  Wise, 
John  Younkins. 


*NoTE. — These  troops  were  called  "  Reser\-es"  because  they  were  recruited  by  Governor  Curtin  with  wise 
forethought  for  a  day  of  need,  inevitable  in  his  mind,  aud  held  in  reserve,  when  there  was  no  Federal  call  for 
men  froin  the  State.  The  Bull  Run  disaster  showed  his  wisdom,  and  the  nation  applauded  his  act  when  those 
well-drilled  troops  marched  to  the  defense  of  Washington  immediately  upon  that  defeat.  No  finer  body  of  men, 
no  troops  that  saw  harder  service,  were  in  the  great  army  of  the  Republic. 


232 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


FLAG    RAISINGS. 

Flag  raisings  during  May  were  frequent.  Among  the  more  prominent  we  note  from 
the  newspapers  one  at  the  United  States  Hotel,  kept  by  Joseph  Schortz,  on  North  Third 
street,  on  Friday,  May  17,  1861,  at  which  speeches  were  made  by  B.  F.  Fackenthal,  Esq., 
and  Rev.  Dr.  D.  V.  McLean,  and  prayer  offered  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Edgar.  Excellent  music 
was  furnished  by  the  Jaeger  Band  and  the  Noll  family.  This  flag  was  forty-two  feet  in 
leno-th  by  twenty-eight  feet  in  breadth,  and  it  was  taken  as  a  good  omen  that  it  waved  its 
ample  folds  southward  amid  the  cheers  of  a  large  concourse  of  citizens. 

On  the  morning  of  the  day  following,  the  Hebrews  of  Eastou,  after  a  speech  by  Rev.  C. 
H.  Edgar,  in  which  he  drew  historic  parallels,  and  claimed  that  Jehovah  had  not  then  de- 
serted his  chosen  people  and  would  not  now  desert  his  chosen  nation,  raised  a  beautiful 
flag  on  their  Synagogue  on  South  Sixth  street.  This  was  the  first  house  of  worship  in 
Easton  crowned  with  the  stars  and  stripes. 

On  the  same  day,  with  whizzing  of  rockets  and  roar  of  cannon,  a  large  and  beautiful 
flag  was  run  to  the  top  of  a  pole  one  hundred  feet  high  at  Reich's  grocery  store  on  the 
summit  of  the  hill  at  Sixth  and  Northampton  streets.  Appropriate  addresses  were  made 
to  a  large  and  attentive  audience  by  O.  H.  Meyers,  Esq.,  and  others.  Patriotic  songs 
were  sung  by  a  band  of  young  girls,  and  Pomp's  Cornet  Band  played  national  airs.  Inci- 
dents like  these  were  now  of  almost  daily  occurrence  and  told  the  earnest  and  growing  de- 
termination to  suppress  the  rebellion. 

THE  FAIR  GROUND  CHOSEN  AS  A  STATE  CAMP. 
The  prompt  and  full  response  of  volunteers  from  Easton  had  attra6led  attention  from 
all  quarters  of  the  State.  This  interest  was  increased  by  the  visit  on  Tuesday  afternoon. 
May  21,  1861,  of  Governor  Andrew  G.  Curtin,  the  first-named  of  the  famous  War  Gover- 
nors, and  Major  General  George  A.  McCall,  to  the  Fair  Grounds  on  the  west  of  the 
borough,  with  the  view  of  selecSling  it,  if  suitable,  as  a  site  for  one  of  the  State  camps.  Its 
many  advantages  secured  its  selection,  and  before  another  week  it  was  occupied  by  volun- 
teers. The  Second  regiment,  Colonel  Wm.  B.  Mann,  Third,  Colonel  Horatio  G.  Sickels, 
and  Fourth,  Colonel  R.  S.  March,  of  the  Reserves,  were  here  organized.  Their  daily  drills 
drew  large  crowds  of  visitors,  and  many  a  man  of  the  hard-fought  Pennsylvania  Resen.-es  in 
after  service  remembered  the  pleasures  of  this  peaceful  camp.  By  the  sixth  day  of  June, 
i86i,  over  twenty-five  companies,  about  two  thousand  men,  were  in  the  camp,  now  known 
as  Camp  Washington,  under  the  command  of  Col.  William  B.  Mann  of  Philadelphia, 
This  number  was  largely  added  to  at  a  later  date. 

AID   TO   VOLUNTEERS   IN   THE   FIELD. 

Meanwhile  the  committee  appointed  at  the  great  Court  House  meeting  to  look  after 
the  comfort  of  the  volunteers  had  been  unremitting  in  attention.  Reports  reached  them 
from  time  to  time  of  lack  of  suitable  clothing  and  of  much  suffering  in  consequence  by  the 
men  now  in  service.  The  men  of  the  First  Pennsylvania,  in  the  exigency  of  the  service, 
had  been  forwarded  ununiformed,  many  of  their  officers  without  swords,  the  buck  and  ball 
cartridges  for  their  smooth-bore  muskets  rattling  in  the  trouser  pockets  of  the  men,  and 
their  cotton  haversacks  filled  with  bacon  and  hard  tack.  Their  clothing  soon  gave  out  in 
their  rough  campaigning  without  tents.     New  uniforms  were  received  at  their  camp  near 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  233 

Funkstown,  Maryland.  It  was  determined  forthwith  to  relieve  the  need  out  of  the  funds 
already  raised.  On  Monday,  June  10,  1861,  W.  H.  Thompson,  Esq.,  purchased  at  Allen- 
town  two  hundred  pairs  of  shoes,  which  were  immediately  forwarded  to  the  camp,  and  on 
the  same  day  Captain  John  E>erman  purchased  at  Philadelphia  six  hundred  yards  of  sati- 
net which  was  made  into  pantaloons.  These  supplies,  with  one  hundred  dollars  in  money, 
were  promptly  sent  and  proved  of  great  benefit. 

A  PATRIOTIC  PRESIDENT  OF  A  VIRGINIA  COLLEGE. 
A  flag  raising  at  Lafayette  College  on  the  evening  of  Friday,  June  14,  1861,  had  pecu- 
liar interest  from  the  fa(?t  of  the  presence  of  Rev.  Dr.  George  Junkin,  its  first  president, 
and  lately  the  president  of  Washington  College,  Virginia.  As  the  doctor  pulled  the  hal- 
yard and  the  flag  fluttered  to  the  top  of  its  one  hundred  feet  pole  and  unfolded  in  all  the 
beauty  of  the  stars  and  stripes,  he  told  how  the  students  of  Washington  College  had  per- 
sisted in  raising  the  rag  of  secession  and  how  he  had  taken  it  down  and  burned  it,  and 
then  when  he  found  that  the  students  were  sustained  b}-  the  rest  of  the  Faculty,  he  had 
resigned  the  presidency  and  left  Virginia.  The  students,  with  Pomp's  Band,  had  escorted 
him  from  the  town  to  the  hill  and  were  loud  in  their  applause  of  his  remarks  and  of  those 
of  their  spokesmen,  Mr.  Davis  and  of  Dr.  Traill  Green.  The  pole  stood  in  front  of  the 
College  building  at  the  head  of  the  steps,  and  its  twenty  by  thirty  feet  flag  was  in  full  view 
of  the  town  and  a  proud  mark  of  an  institution  noted  for  its  heavy  contribution  of  volun- 
teers from  its  campus  to  the  battlefield. 

PASSAGE  OF  TROOPS. 
Beside  the  different  regiments  now  being  organized  and  drilled  at  Camp  Washington, 
Eastonians  had  their  faith  in  the  final  suppression  of  the  Rebellion  confirmed  by  the  thou- 
sands of  well-equipped  volunteers  whirled  by  on  the  railroad  trains  on  their  way  to  the 
seat  of  war.  On  the  20th  of  June,  Governor  Sprague's  noted  regiment  of  over  one  thousand 
strong,  with  its  full  battery  of  eight-pounders,  ambulances,  baggage  and  powder  wagons, 
on  a  train  of  eighty  cars  drawn  by  three  locomotives,  passed  up  the  valley.  They  were 
followed  on  the  succeeding  Saturday  by  a  New  Hampshire  regiment,  twelve  hundred 
strong,  and  a  full  regiment  of  Chasseurs  from  New  York. 

FLAG  PRESENTATIONS. 

On  the  evening  of  June  20,  Thomas  Coates,  the  diredlor  of  Pomp's  Cornet  Band, 
whose  widely  known  music  had  furnished  inspiration  to  many  a  meeting  in  Easton,  was 
honored  by  a  flag-raising  in  front  of  his  residence  on  South  Fourth  street.  The  band 
played  its  choicest  music  and  the  glee  club  sang  its  happiest  songs,  and  excellent  speeches 
assured  the  large  crowd  of  citizens  of  the  safety  of  the  Union. 

Three  regiments  on  the  following  Monday,  June  24,  were  drawn  up  in  front  of  the 
Institute  building  on  the  Fair  Ground,  and  presented  through  Hon.  H.  D.  Maxwell  with 
an  elegant  flag.  Col.  W.  B.  Mann  responded,  and  soldiers  and  citizens  were  enthusiastic 
in  applause.  A  week  later  the  Southwark  Hose  Company,  one  of  the  sturdiest  of  the  old 
band  of  fire  companies,  for  which  Easton  had  long  been  famous,  flung  a  large  flag  from  the 
top  of  a  pole  considerably  over  one  hundred  feet  high  in  front  of  its  house  on  South  Third 
street.  Rev.  John  Grant,  in  happy  humor,  patriotism  and  eloquence,  held  the  close  at- 
tention of  the  large  and  enthusiastic  crowd. 


234  THE  HISTORY  OF 

EASTON'S  fourth  of  JULY,  1861. 
War's  dread  realities  appear  to  have  suppressed  its  mock  counterfeits  with  which  the 
Fourth  of  July  had  often  been  celebrated.  It  was  a  quiet,  thoughtful  Fourth,  that  of  July, 
1S61.  Its  celebration  bv  the  borough  antiquarian,  Benjamin  ]\I.  Youells,  was,  as  became 
the  man,  original,  and,  as  became  the  day,  suggestive.  In  the  wiudowof  his  barber  shop, 
widely  known  also  as  a  curiosity  shop,  appeared,  what  claimed  to  be,  a  secession  flag,  on 

which  was  pinned  the  following  note  : 

"  Camp  Yoke,  June  27,  1861. 
"B.  M.  Youells,  Esq.     Dear  Sir :  I  hereby  present  you  with  this  emblem  of  treason,  captured  in  Fred- 
erick City,  Md.,  June  26,  1 861,  by  Sergeant  Joseph  Oliver,  of  Company  D,  First  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers. ,.(-    ^   Heckman,  Captain  Co.  D,  First  Reg't." 

A  relic  doubtless  of  rebel  occupation  of  the  city,  in  the  fairgrounds  of  which  the  Eas- 
ton  Volunteers  were  quartered  on  that  first  Fourth  of  July  of  the  Rebellion. 

Still,  the  day  was  ushered  in  in  accordance  with  the  time-honored  direction  of  John 
Adams, — the  firing  of  cannon — by  Napoleon  Patier  from  Mt.  Jefferson,  the  ringing  of  bells 
by  patriotic  church  sextons,  and  later  by  flag  raisings  over  several  private  residences, 
those  of  Herbert  Thomas,  Esq.,  Mrs.  Seiple  and  others,  and  at  6  o'clock  over  the  Third 
Street  Reformed  Church,  at  which,  in  presence  of  a  large  audience,  prayer  was  oflfered  by 
its  pastor.  Rev.  John  Beck,  and  an  earnest,  telling  speech  by  Rev.  Dr.  D.  V.  McLean 
was  followed  by  choice  airs  from  Pomp's  Cornet  Band. 

THE   MARCH   OF   THE   RESERVES   DOWN   NORTHAMPTON  STREET. 

When  Col.  March's  regiment  left  Camp  Washington  on  Tuesday,  July  16,  1861,  for 
Harrisburg,  fully  armed  and  equipped,  their  solid  platoons  reaching  from  curb  to  curb  on 
Northampton  street,  firm  tread  and  glistening  bayonets,  made  the  sight  from  the  Square 
one  of  the  most  imposing  of  military  specflacles.  These  men  had  grown  to  be  soldiers  in 
our  midst,  and  densely  crowded  sidewalks  attested  the  deep  interest  of  our  citizens.  Eas- 
ton,  apart  from  her  own  large  representation  in  the  famous  Reserves,  with  pride  watched 
their  progress  from  field  to  field  of  well-fought  fights,  imtil  it  ended  in  final  viiftory. 

Col.  Sickle's  regiment  left  on  Monday,  July  22,  1861,  and  Col.  Mann's,  the  last  regi- 
ment in  the  camp,  on  the  Wednesday  morning  following.  Like  parades  were  had,  and 
they  left  for  adlive  service  through  thronged  sidewalks  and  cheered  by  thousands.  The 
first  great  fight  of  Bull  Run  on  Sunday,  July  21,  1861,  reported  first  as  a  vi<5tory  and  then 
as  a  defeat,  had  wrought  the  public  feeling  to  the  highest  pitch  of  excitement.  The  now 
daily  trains,  freighted  with  troops  and  hurried  with  all  the  power  of  steam  over  our  rail- 
roads, were  greeted  as  they  passed  by  from  the  full  hearts  of  people  who  felt  that  the  Re- 
bellion must  be  suppressed  at  any  cost.  When  the  full  ranks  of  the  last  Reserve  regiment 
left  their  camp  and  moved  down  Northampton  street,  a  living  stream  of  earnest  men  clad 
in  their  country's  blue,  our  people  massed  on  pavement  and  Square,  drowned  the  music 
of  the  regimental  bands  in  cheers  for  the  cause  and  its  heroes,  all  the  more  heartfelt  and 
hearty  on  account  of  the  reverses  at  Manassas. 

CAMPAICN    OF   THE   THREE    MONTHS    MEN. 

Easton  was  now  awaiting  anxiously  the  return  of  her  first  volunteers  whose  term  of 
service  had  been  prolonged  by  their  volunteering  to  serve  be>ond  the  three  months'  time 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


235 


for  which  they  had  been  called  and  mustered.  Although  in  Patterson's  campaign,  blood- 
less through  no  fault  of  theirs,  they  had  seen  much  exposure,  hard  service  and  heavy 
marching,  since  their  arrival  at  Cockeysville  on  the  night  of  their  muster.  They  had 
been  hurried  into  service  without  proper  arms,  uniforms  or  camp  equipage.  But  with 
their  old  smooth-bores  loaded  with  buck  and  ball,  and  haversacks  filled  with  bacon  and 
hard-tack,  they  were  ready  and  anxious  to  march  through  Baltimore,  had  not  undue  defer- 
ence to  the  authorities  of  that  city  on  the  part  of  the  powers  at  Washington  ordered  other- 
wise.     "March  through  Baltimore  !"  said  one  of  a  committee  of  citizens  of  that  city  on 

his  return  from  Cockeysville, 
"their  old  Colonel  looks  as  if 
he  would  march  through  h — , 
if  so  ordered." 

The  fortunes  of  the  Sixth 
Massachusetts,  a  few  days  pre- 
\ious,  were  not  to  be  theirs, 
and  under  orders  from  Gen. 
Wmfield  S.  Scott,  the  retro- 
grade movement  on  the  Mon- 
da\  following,  was  made  to 
Camp  Scott,  near  the  town  of 
York.  Here  their  equipment 
was  completed,  and  here  they 
remained,  in  constant  drill  for 
held  service  until  May  14, 
when  they  were  detailed  to 
guard  the  Northern  Central 
railroad  from  the  Pennsylva- 
nia line  to  Druid  Park,  near 
Baltimore.  Details  were  made 
from  time  to  time  while  at 
that  point  for  the  arrest  of  pro- 
minent persons  charged  with 
aiding  the  rebellion  and  for 
seizure  of  arms  secreted  for 
its  use.  Camp  equipage  was 
supplied  May  25th,  when  the  regiment  marched  through  Baltimore  and  occupied  an  unfin- 
ished asylum  near  Catonsville.  The  tents  were  at  hand,  when  ordered  thence  to  Franklin- 
town,  on  May  29th.  It  did  picket  duty  on  the  roads  leading  West  from  Baltimore  and 
intercepted  many  recruits  for  the  Rebel  army  at  Harper's  Ferry.  On  June  3d  it  joined  the 
troops  gathering  at  Chambersburg  and  was  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Second  Divi- 
sion, of  the  army  of  General  Robert  Patterson,  whose  Adjutant  General  was  Fitz  John 
Porter.  Company  and  field  drill  occupied  its  time  closely  here,  in  which  the  companies 
and  regiment  were  making  rapid  strides  toward  proficiency,  and  a  few  days  later  it  left 
for  camp  near  Funkstown,  where,  through  a  false  alarm,  it  had  the  surprise  of  a  hurried 
midnight  march  to  Williamsport  on  the  Potomac.      It  returned  to  Funkstown  on  the  fol- 


DAM,"    ON    THE    BUSHKILL. 


236  THE  HISTORY  OF 

lowing  day,  and  then  for  the  first  time  was  properly  uniformed.  Before  this  the  men  had 
suffered  for  the  want  of  adequate  clothing,  although  its  need  had  been  greatly  relieved  by 
the  partial  supply  sent  by  kind  friends  at  Easton. 

The  regiment  was  ordered  on  June  21  to  Frederick,  and  arrived  there  the  day  follow- 
ing and  reported  to  Governor  Hicks.  A  pleasant  stay  of  about  two  weeks  was  made  in  the 
fair  ground  here,  improved  by  daily  drills,  varied  by  a  joyous  Fourth  of  July,  and  made 
memorable  by  the  kind  attention  of  citizens — particularly  the  Rev.  Dr.  George  Diehl  and 
family,  former  residents  of  Easton. 

On  July  8,  1861,  after  a  return  march  through  Boonsboro,  and  a  night  encampment 
on  Kennedv's  farm,  and  after  fording  the  Potomac  at  Williamsport,  it  advanced  to  Falling 
Waters  and  joined  the  balance  of  the  division  of  General  Patterson  at  Martinsburg,  where 
the  following  order  was  received  : 

"Headquarters,  Department  of  Penxsvlvaxia. 
"To  Col.  Samuel  Yohc,  Comvianding  First  Peniia.  J'oluntecrs. 

"Dear  Sir  :  I  am  iustrucfled  by  the  Commanding  General  to  say  that  your  regiment 
has  been  selected  to  garrison  this  important  post,  on  account  of  the  confidence  reposed  in 
the  administrative  qualities  of  the  Commander  and  the  heretofore  good  condu(5l  of  the  reg- 
iment, which  gives  assurance  of  the  safety  of  the  depot,  and  that  the  inhabitants  will  be 
protected,  and  many  now  opposed  to  us  made  friends  of,  while  the  lukewann  will  be 
strengthened  in  their  feelings. 

"  I  am  sir,  very  respectfully, 

"Your  obedient  servant, 

"F.  J.  Porter,  A.  A.  G." 

Martinsburg  was  now  a  base  of  supplies  and  an  important  station.  On  July  14,  Gen- 
eral Patterson  moved  his  division  towards  Bunker  Hill,  and  two  days  later  the  First  Penn- 
sylvania rejoined  it  at  Charlestown,  w^hither  it  had  convo}ed  a  heavy  ammunition  train.  It 
w-as  here  supplied  with  ten  days'  cooked  rations  on  Jul}-  17,  and  put  in  light  marching 
order,  ready  for  a  forward  movement,  which  unfortunately  was  not  ordered.  During  the 
days  following,  until  July  21,  when  Bull  Run  was  fought,  already  beyond  the  time  for 
muster  out,  the  volunteers  were  under  arms,  anxious  for  the  advance  which  was  to  pre- 
vent the  rebel  General  Johnston  from  reinforcing  Beauregard  at  Manassas.  But  while  Pat- 
terson was  halting  Johnston  was  marching,  and  on  July  21,  when  the  latter  had  joined  the 
main  rebel  army  and  had  turned  defeat  into  victor)-,  our  volunteers,  to  their  surprise,  were 
ordered  to  move  to  Harper's  Ferry.  The  regiment  marched  on  the  23d  to  Sandy  Hook, 
and  on  the  same  evening  took  train  for  Harrisburg,  where  the  men  were  honorably  dis- 
charged and  mustered  out  of  service. 

Bates'  History  of  the  Pennsylvania  \'olunteers,  from  which  we  have  freely  drawn, 
closes  the  account  of  the  regiment,  as  follows  : 

"During  the  time  that  the  regiment  was  in  service  it  did  not  participate  in  any  bat- 
tles ;  but  its  timely  arrival  in  the  field  accomplished  much  good  by  checking  any  rash 
movement  on  the  part  of  rebels  in  arms  along  our  borders.  The  duties  it  was  called  upon 
to  perform  were  faithfully  done,  and  its  good  conducfl,  under  all  circumstances,  was  ap- 
preciated and  acknowledged  bv  its  superior  officers." 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  237 

RECEPTION   OF  THE   THREE   MONTHS   VOLUNTEERS. 

Committees  had  been  appointed  to  arrange  for  the  reception  of  the  volunteers  upon 

their  return,  and  the  arrival  of  the  train  conveying  them  from  Harrisburg  was  announced 

b}'  signal  guns  fired  upon  Mount  Jefierson  on  Tuesday,  July  30,  1861.     At  one  o'clock  the 

citizens  began  to  pour  into  the  streets,  and  South  Third  street  soon  became  a  dense  mass 

of  human  beings.      Near  two  o'clock  the  procession  headed  by  a  large  number  of  citizens, 

and  Pomp's  Cornet  Band,  came  across  the  Lehigh  Bridge  and  marched  through  some  of 

the  principal  streets,  amid  the  ringing  of  the  bells  of  the  churches,  the  Court  House,  and 

acclamations  of  the  people.     Colonel  Yohe,  Lieut.  Colonel  Good,  Paymaster  Thomas*  and 

Major  Glanz,  mounted,  preceded  the  companies,  which  marched  in  the  following  order  : 

Co.  B,  First  Penna.  Vol.,  Capt.  Jacob  Dachrodt. 

Co.  C,  First  Penna.  Vol.,  Capt.  William  H.  Armstrong. 

Co.  D,  First  Penna.  Vol.,  Capt.  Chas.  A.  Heckman. 

Co.  H,  First  Penna.  Vol.,  Capt.  Ferd.  W.  Bell. 
Co.  F,  Ninth  Penna.  Vol.,  Capt.  Richard  A.  GraeflFe. 

The  newspapers  of  the  day  report  that  the  men  looked  sunburnt,  dusty  and  fatigued 
to  such  a  degree  that  many  could  hardly  be  recognized.  They  were  halted  in  the  Square 
and  welcomed  home  in  a  neat  and  appropriate  speech  by  E.  J.  Fox,  Esq.,  to  which  Col. 
Yohe  replied  in  a  few  brief  sentences,  in  which  he  said  that  Rebels  could  be  conquered 
only  by  treating  them  as  all  other  enemies  are  treated  in  war.  He  concluded  by  thanking 
the  soldiers  for  their  good  condudl.  Bountiful  collations  were  spread  at  the  Masonic  Hall 
and  the  armories. 

The  reception  was  not  unmixed  with  sadness,  for  disease — more  dreaded  by  soldiers 
than  the  dangers  of  the  battle-field — had  detained  some.  One  young  man,. William  Wil- 
king,  had  died  at  Harrisburg  while  the  regiment  was  preparing  to  return.  Almost  the 
whole  of  this  command  saw  more  adlive  service  in  later  organizations. 

Within  a  few  weeks  the  fatal  fevers  of  the  camp  had  taken  away  Benjamin  F.  Moyer, 
John  Lerch,  Henry  W.  Wilking,  George  W.  Sigman,  John  W.  Bowman,  Alexander  W. 
Hoyt,  Edmund  Shouse,  Edwin  Housel  and  Lieutenant  James  F.  Thompson.  None  had 
arrived  at  middle  age,  most  were  barely  in  their  majority,  and  one,  Lieutenant  Thompson, 
some  months  short  of  his,  a  son  of  W.  H.  Thompson,  Esq.,  was  of  exceptional  promise,  and 
in  his  brief  service,  led  all  to  predicfT;  for  his  ability  and  soldierly  qualities  a  brilliant  career. 

RIOTOUS   OUTBREAK. 

The  war  feeling  had  now  become  intense.  The  disastrous  defeat  at  Bull  Run  height- 
ened, rather  than  depressed  the  patriotism  of  the  volunteers,  and  the}-  were  restive  under 
the  covert  rejoicing  and  ill-timed  remarks  of  alleged  sympathizers  with  secession. 

On  Monday  night,  August  19,  1861,  this  excitement  resulted  in  a  riotous  outbreak. 
A  speech,  received  as  partisan  and  inflammatory,  and  denunciatory  of  the  war,  delivered 
in  the  afternoon,  was  the  immediate  cause.  The  mob,  in  the  form  of  a  large  procession, 
moved  up  South  Third  street  about  half-past  nine  o'clock,  led  by  old  soldiers,  some  of 
them  intoxicated,  and  called  upon  prominent  citizens  in  different  parts  of  the  town,  whose 

*NoTE.— This  officer  had  been  chosen  as  Regimental  Paymaster,  but  the  office  being  abolished,  he  remained 
with  the  command,  without  pay,  and  rendered  efficient  service  throughout  the  campaign. 


238  THE  HISTORY  OF 

loyalty  they  suspetted,  to  make  patriotic  speeches  and  exhibit  the  stars  and  stripes.  The 
speeches  were  made  and  the  flags  produced,  when  the  latter  could  be  had,  for  most  part 
in  good  humor.  No  violence  was  done  save  at  a  printing  office  on  South  Third  street, 
which  was  torn  out  and  its  type  and  printing  material  thrown  into  the  street,  and  at  a  later 
hour  burned.  An  attack  was  made  upon  another  printing  office  on  Northampton  street, 
but  further  damage,  here  and  at  private  residences,  was  prevented  by  the  interference  of  prom- 
inent patriotic  citizens  who  lost  no  time  in  their  effi)rts  to  control  the  mob. 

A  large  crowd  moving  to  martial  music  was  halted  at  the  Square  on  the  following 
evening  by  citizens  who  called  upon  Governor  A.  H.  Reeder  to  speak  to  it.  In  a  well- 
timed  and  well-received  speech  he  exhorted  all  to  return  to  their  homes  and  commit  no 
violence.     With  cheers  for  the  Union  the  crowd  slowly  dispersed. 

This  was  the  first  and  most  violent  outbreak  in  Easton  during  the  war.  It  was  depre- 
cated by  all  good  citizens  of  all  parties,  who  believed  that  the  cause  of  liberty  for  which 
they  were  battling  could  not  be  furthered  by  lawless  license,  and  that  of  all  tyrannies  that 
of  the  mob  is  the  worst.  At  the  same  time  all  impartial  persons,  looking  back  upon  the 
taunts  flung  at  men  making  ever\-  sacrifice  to  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  Republic,  must 
now  admit,  that  there  was  quite  as  much  cause  for  this  outbreak,  as  for  those  against  the 
toriesof  the  Revolution,  which  have  been  staple  texts  for  Fourth  of  July  speeches. 

RECRUITING   IN   EASTON. 

But  duty  called  volunteers  to  the  field  and  recruiting  for  various  commands  was  car- 
ried on  briskly  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  1861.  Captain  Ferdinand  W.  Bell,  long 
prominent  in  military  circles  in  the  borough,  and  a  most  accomplished  officer,  and  Lieut. 
Charles  H.  Yard,  both  members  of  the  First  Penna.  Vols.,  opened  recruiting  lists  for  three 
years  or  during  the  war,  in  the  month  of  August.  During  the  month  of  September  arri- 
vals are  reported  of  soldiers  at  Camp  Washington  to  join  a  regiment  of  which  Col.  James 
Miller  was  to  take  command.  Capt.  Richard  A.  Graeffe,  who  had  seen  some  years'  service 
in  the  United  States  Regular  Army  prior  to  his  three  months'  campaign,  was  also  engaged 
in  recruiting  a  company. 

Capt.  F.  W.  Bell  on  Saturday,  September  14,  1861,  left  for  Harrisburg  with  forty  vol- 
unteers. Twenty  others  had  gone  on  the  preceding  Tuesday.  This  departure  was  made  the 
more  memorable  by  the  music  of  a  band  recruited  by  the  diredlor  of  Pomp's  Comet  Band 
and  well-known  composer,  Thomas  Coates,  Esq.,  for  the  Forty-seventh  Penna.  \'olun- 
teers.  It  numbered  twenty-one  men — all  but  two  or  three  of  the  favorite  Pomp's  Band — 
and  as  it  led  the  column  to  the  music  of  "Dixie,"  hundreds  of  our  citizens  kept  step  to 
the  air,  regretting  the  loss  of  the  famous  baud  to  the  borough,  but  cheering  its  patriotic 
mission. 

SEYMOUR'S   BATTERY. 

A  battery  of  distinguished  fame  during  the  war  was  about  this  time  recruited  in  Eas- 
ton by  Capt.  Truman  Seymour,  on  Tuesday,  Sept.  24,  1861.  Many  of  these  recruits  had 
seen  ser\'ice  in  the  three  months'  campaign,  and  the  contrast,  at  this  time,  between  the 
complete  appointments  of  the  regulars  and  the  uncertain  equipment  of  the  volunteers  may 
have  helped  enlistments.  At  all  events  Easton  gave  that  worthy  commander  a  worthy 
body  of  men.  More  than  forty  men  left  Easton  under  Captain  Seymour's  command. 
Their  names  were  as  follows  : 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 

BATTERY  C,  FIFTH  UNITED  STATES  ARTILLERY 
(Men  recruited  at  Easton.) 
First  Sergeants — ^James  Simons,  Frank  Ginginger. 
Second  Sergeants— K.  N.  R.  Ohl,  William  Lyons. 
Sergeant — Edward  Cook. 

James  I.  Brodie.  Bugler— \.  R.  Muller. 


239 


John  Green. 
Daniel  Whitesell. 


John  Andrew, 
William  Howard, 
Arthur  Grimes, 
Dennis  Mcllheny, 
James  G.  Fargo, 
Martin  Johnson, 
David  Tro.xell, 
Herman  Snyder, 
James  Duffy, 
Milton  Charles, 
Samuel  Emmons, 


J.  Mornssey, 
J.  F.  Burghner, 
C.  H.  Muller, 
H.  Hirth, 
J.  J.  Carey, 
F.  Freyberger, 


PRIVATES, 
Edward  Burke, 
John  H.  Bixler, 
Jacob  Freyberger, 
Samuel  Vogel, 
Andrew  Muckley, 
William  Brader, 
J.J.  Gangwere, 
John  Serfass, 
William  Balliet, 
John  Fortner, 
John  Steiner, 


W.  Warner, 
Ed.  Lines, 
S.  Snyder, 
G.  E.  DiehL 
E.  Galligan, 
Ed.  Balliet, 


Sergeant — George  B.  Green. 

"  William  Lynes. 

tor/>ora/— Francis  Mowery. 

"  William  Naylor. 

William  Houck. 

"  John  Schoen. 

Peter  Stone, 
Charles  Green, 
George  Sigenthall, 
John  Dachrodt, 
Samuel  S.  Lesher, 
David  Ensley, 
Thomas  K.  Lesher, 
Simon  Reed, 
William  Davenport, 
Charles  Kriche, 
Edward  Luker. 


Captain  Truman  Seymour  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  had  served  with  honorable 
mention  throughout  the  Mexican  War,  and  was  one  of  the  heroic  band  with  General  An- 
derson at  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter.  While  in  service  in  Mexico  he  had  formed 
the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  E.  N.  R.  Ohl,  of  Easton,  through  whom  he  learned,  in  1861,  that 
Easton  would  be  a  good  recruiting  station  for  a  battery,  which  he  had  authority  to  raise, 
to  serve  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  He  opened  a  recruiting  office  in  the  south-east  cor- 
ner of  Centre  Square  and  engaged  E.  N.  R.  Ohl  as  an  assistant.  The  men  were  sworn 
into  service  by  Samuel  Moore,  Esq.,  J.  P.,  and  upon  arrival  at  Harrisburg,  received  their 
equipment.  The  battery  numbered  138  men,  and  the  armament  consisted  of  six  twelve- 
pound  brass  Napoleon  guns.  The  winter  of  1861  was  spent  in  Harrisburg  in  constant 
drill,  and  it  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  the  latter  part  of  March,  1862,  one  of  the 
most  efficient  batteries  in  the  service,  as  will  be  seen  when  we  refer  hereafter  to  its  long 
roll  of  hard-fought  battles. 

Every  few  days,  say  the  borough  papers  of  the  time,  officers  were  taking  from  ten  to 
twenty  men  to  Harrisburg.  Capt.  David  Schortz  and  Lieutenant  Albert  N.  ,Seip  were 
busily  engaged  in  recruiting  a  cavalry  company  during  this  month  of  September.  On  Mon- 
day, Oct.  14,  they  left  with  forty  men  for  Camp  Curtin  and  added  to  their  number  largely  a 
few  days  later.  Col.  Miller's  regiment,  eight  hundred  strong,  had  left  Camp  Washington 
the  week  before.  This  regiment  contained  many  three  months  men.  It  was  known  as  the 
Eighty-first  Penna.  Vols.,  and  took  part  in  many  hard-fought  engagements,  as  will  appear 
in  our  further  reference  to  its  long  and  honorable  record. 

During  the  winter  of  1861-2,  while  recruiting  continued  a6live  in  our  borough,  the 
ladies  of  Easton  were  busy  in  preparing  many  articles  for  the  comfort  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers.  Clothing  of  all  kinds  was  made  up  and  sent  to  Washington  for  distribu- 
tion among  the  different  hospitals. 

WASHINGTON'S   BIRTHDAY,   1862,  AND   NOTES  OF  VOLUNTEERS. 

An  unusually  earnest  celebration  of  Washington's  birthday  was  had  Feb.  22,  1862. 
At  the  Third  Street  Reformed  Church  in  the  forenoon  there  was  a  general  meeting  of  the 
clergy  and  citizens.     Prayers  were  offered  by  Revs.  John  Gray  and  B.  Sadtler,  and  the  im- 


240 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


mortal  Farewell  Address  was  read  by  Hon.  A.  H.  Reeder.  Cannon  firing  from  Mt.  Jeffer- 
son continued  throughout  the  day.  In  the  evening  many  buildings,  including  the  College, 
were  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  rockets  whizzed  and  bonfires  blazed  in  the  streets  which 
were  filled  with  people.  It  attested  the  earnestness  of  the  masses  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  Union.  The  events  of  the  war  had  now  in  some  measure  lost  their  novelty,  but  the 
spirit  of  this  celebration,  the  active  recruiting,  the  many  organizations  for  the  comfort  of 
our  volunteers,  all  proved  the  ready  determination  of  our  people  for  its  serious  work. 

OVATION   TO   CHARLES    A.   HECKMAN,   COLONEL   OF    NINTH  N.  J.   VOLUNTEERS. 

A  large  number  of  citizens  on  March  31,  1862,  through  their  spokesman,  E.  J.  Fox, 
Esq.,  extended  a  hearty  welcome  to  Col.  Charles  A.  Heckman,  late  Captain  of  the  First 
Penna.  Vols.,  and  then  of  the  Ninth  N.  J.  Vols.,  at  the  American  Hotel,  and  in  the  even- 
ing tendered  him  a  banquet  at  the  National  Hotel.  The  Colonel's  promotion  was  well 
earned,  and  his  regiment  performed  gallant  service. 

We  note  with  pleasure  the  further  promotion  of  this  gallant  ofiBcer  (although  since  his  volunteering  with 
the  three  months  men  he  has  been  a  resident  of  New  Jersey)  to  Brigadier  General  and  Major  General  by  brevet, 
the  just  reward  of  distinguished 
military  services,  dating  from 
the  Mexican  War,  and  closing 
with  the  well-fought  battles  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The 
annexed  extracft  is  from  the  First 
Reunion  pamphlet  of  the  Ninth 
New  Jersey  Volunteers  :  "  Chas. 
A.  Heckman  was  born  at  Eas- 
ton,  Pennsylvania,  December  3, 
1822,  and  commenced  his  bril- 
liant military  career  during  the 
war  with  Mexico,  in  which  as 
First  Sergeant  of  Company  H, 
First  United  States  Voltiguers, 
he  took  part  in  most  of  the  bat- 
tles. Returning  to  his  home  at 
Phillipsburg,  this  state,  his  pres- 
ent place  of  residence,  he  accept- 
ed a  conductorship  on  the  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  which  position  he 
filled  with  great  acceptability  to 
the  company  until  the  rebellion 
broke  out,  when  he  raised  a  com- 
pany, which  was  assigned  to  the 
First  Pennsylvania  Regiment. 
At  the  end  of  the  campaign,  his 
1864,  General  Heckman  relieved  Gen. Getty 


command  was  mustered  out, 
when,  at  the  urgent  solicitation 
of  Governor  Olden,  he  accepted 
the  majority  of  the  New  Jersey 
Ninth.  Foster,  in  his  'New  Jer- 
sey- and  the  Rebellion,'  says: 
'  Heckman  at  once  became  con- 
spicuous as  a  soldier  of  the  high- 
est accomplishments.  Perhaps, 
no  general  ever  behaved  with 
greater  gallantry  in  acT;ion  than 
he.  He  was,  as  truly  as  any  man 
that  ever  lived,  insensible  to  fear. 
During  the  whole  period  of  his 
service,  he  was  never  once  found 
in  any  other  position  than  at  the 
head  of  his  columns.'  Often 
was  his  apparel  perforated  bj' 
bullets.  He  escaped  death  so 
frequently  that  his  men  believed 
he  bore  a  charmed  life,  and  fol- 
lowed him  more  cheerfully  to 
the  ven,-  jaws  of  death.  The 
men  of  the  Ninth  won  for  him 
a  star  in  their  six  days'  terrible 
fighting  on  the  Goldsboro'  ex- 
pedition, in  December,  1862.  In 
the  command  of  20,000  troops  defending  the  approaches  to  Norfolk. 
The  general  was  captured  at  the  desperate  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  May  16,  1864,  and  confined  in  various  prison- 
pens  until  late  in  the  summer,  when  he  was  exchanged.  He  was  heartily  welcomed  by  General  Butler,  who 
gave  him  command  of  the  second  divnsion  of  the  Eighteenth  army  corps,  with  which  he  captured  Fort  Harri- 
son (two  thousand  Confederates  and  four  pieces  of  artiller}-  being  the  fruits  of  his  brilliant  victory)  for  which  he 
was  complimented  by  General  Grant.  In  the  spring  of  1865  he  became  commander  of  the  Twenty-fifth  corps, 
which  he  moulded  into  an  efifecftive  command.  In  May,  1S65,  General  Heckman  resigned,  having  previously 
been  commissioned  a  major-general  by  brevet.  He  possessed  a  magnificent  voice,  whose  clarion-like  notes  were 
often  heard  above  the  roar  of  battle.  Despite  his  apparent  love  of  war,  he  had  a  passion  for  music,  his  flute 
being  scarcelv  less  dear  to  him  than  his  sword.'' 


ist  P  V      Br   M.1 
»m  War  Photograph.) 


Gen   Vol 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


24] 


LIEUTENANTS  REEDER  AND  W^'CKOFF  WOUNDED. 
In  April,  1862,  Lieut.  Howard  J.  Reeder,  son  of  Hon.  A.  H.  Reeder,  and  Lieut.  Wal- 
ter Wyckoff,  son  of  Dr.  Isaac  C.  WyckofT,  both  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  returned  home  upon 
furloughs,  both  being  disabled  by  wounds, — the  former  at  New  Madrid  and  the  latter  at 
Pittsburg  Landing.  The  elder  brother  of  Lieut.  Reeder,  George  M.  Reeder,  had  joined 
the  First  Kansas  Volunteers  as  private  and  was  promoted  to  a  captaincy.  Their  names, 
with  that  of  a  younger  brother,  Frank  Reeder,  also  in  service,  will  again  appear  in  con- 
ne<5lion  with  their  respe(5live  commands. 

FUNERAL  OF  COL.  JAMES   MILLER,  EIGHTY-FIRST   PENNA.  VOLS. 

The  body  of  Col.  James  Miller,  who  fell  while  gallantly  leading  his  regiment,  the 
Eighty-first  Penna.  Vols.,  at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  May  31,  1862,  was  received  in  New 
York  by  a  committee  of  Eastonians  appointed  for  that  purpose.*  Easton  lamented  him 
dead  as  she  had  cheered  him  when  in  strong  life  he  left  her  camp  for  the  battlefield  with 
his  brave  command.  The  military  procession  at  his  funeral,  June  11,  1862,  consisted  of 
one  cavalry  and  three  infantry  companies.  It  was  much  increased  by  the  Odd  Fellows, 
Order  of  United  American  Mechanics,  students  of  Lafayette  College,  many  citizens  on  foot, 
and  a  large  number  of  carriages  filled  with  relatives  and  friends.  After  marching  through 
several  streets  a  halt  was  made  at  the  Brainerd  Church,  where,  after  a  sermon  by  Rev.  W. 
C.  Cattell,  the  remains  were  escorted  to  the  cemetery  for  interment. 

During  service  with  this  regiment,  H.  Boyd  McKeen,  promoted  from  Major  to  Colonel, 
was  wounded  at  Malvern  Hill,  at  Fredericksburg,  and  at  Chancellorsville,  and  was  killed 
at  Cold  Harbor  while  heading  the  brigade  in  a  desperate  charge.  He  was  a  son  of  Henry 
McKeen,  Esq.,  and  well  known  in  Easton.  Another  son,  long  a  resident  of  South  Easton, 
William  M.  McKeen,  First  Lieutenant,  Co.  K,  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  Penna.  Vols. , 
was  severely  wounded  at  Shepherdstown,  Va.,  Sept.  20,  1864. 

*  This  regiment,  as  has  been  stated,  was  recruited  at  Camp  Washington,  and  many  men  from  the  borough  of 
South  Easton,  with  some  few  from  Easton  were  in  its  ranks,  but  not  in  a  separate  company  organization.  Its 
Colonel  was  born  in  Antrim,  Ireland,  in  April  1 823,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1 834,  settling  in  what  is  now  Carbon 
County,  but  then  part  of  Northampton.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  War  he  was  a  jeweler  in  Mauch  Chunk, 
and  was  made  Captain  of  a  company  of  volunteers  raised  in  that  place,  and  with  it  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  as  part  of  the  Second  Regiment  Penna.  Volunteers.  He  took  distinguished  part  in  the  most 
prominent  battles  of  that  war,  and  while  storming  the  heights  of  Chapultepec  was  severely  wounded  in  the  arm, 
notwithstanding  which,  with  his  arm  in  a  sling,  he  marched  at  the  head  of  his  company  in  the  triumphal  entry 
of  the  army  into  the  City  of  Mexico. 

He  was  in  business  in  New  York  City  when  called  to  the  command  of  the  Eighty-first  Penna.  Volunteers, 
upon  the  recommendation  of  prominent  citizens,  of  whom  Edward  J.  Fox,  Esq.,  was  most  adlive.  It  was  a 
worthy  appointment  and  the  regiment  was  ably  commanded  and  faithfully  led  until  his  death,  which  took  place 
at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  through  his  mistaking  a  rebel  regiment  in  his  front  for  Union  troops.  Clad  in  stolen 
blue,  they  had  emerged  by  the  flank  from  a  wood  in  his  front,  and  upon  his  hail  "What  regiment  is  that?" 
they  faced  to  the  front,  and  at  short  range,  delivered  a  volley,  by  which  he  fell,  shot  through  the  heart,  and 
many  of  his  command  were  killed  and  wounded.  In  the  years  of  hard  service  following,  until  the  surrender  at 
Appomatox,  Col.  Miller's  name  was  a  rallying  cry  in  many  a  well-fought  fight. 

In  a  public  address  Maj.  Gen.  O.  O.  Howard,  while  referring  to  the  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  under  his 
command,  paid  a  warm  and  deserved  tribute  to  his  service  and  gallantry.  An  obituary  in  a  leading  NewY'ork 
paper  said  "He  was  not  only  a  true  soldier  and  faithful  officer,  ever  seeking  the  good  of  his  men,  physically 
and  morally  striving  to  make  them  a  regiment  to  be  trusted  in  the  day  of  battle,  but  he  was  a  faithful  Christian, 
a  true  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  energetic  a  hero  under  the  banner  of  the  Cross  as  he  was  under  the  banner  of 
his  country." 

After  funeral  obsequies  in  New  York,  in  which  the  body  lay  in  state  in  City  Hall,  and  was  escorted  by  the 
Twelfth  Regiment  National  Guards,  N.  Y.,  to  the  ferry,  it  was  delivered  to  the  Easton  committee. 


242  THE  HISTORY  OF 

PUBLIC   SCHOOLS   AND    PATRIOTIC   WORK. 

Besides  the  substantial  comfort  provided  for  the  volunteers  by  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society 
from  time  to  time,  almost  all  of  the  public  schools  of  the  borough  at  the  close  of  their 
term  in  June  1862,  made  up  boxes  filled  with  articles  suitable  for  sick  and  wounded  sol- 
diers. The  children  were,  from  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  schooled  in  practical  lessons  of 
patriotism. 

SEYMOUR'S   BATTERY. 

An  hiteresting  War  Letter. 
The  following  note  from  Edward  J.  Fox,  Esq.,  was  published  in  the  "Daily  Express" 
of  July  15,  1862.     It  accompanied  the  letter  of  Lieutenant  Scott,  which  we  also  give  : 

Editor  Express  :  I  received  on  Friday  a  letter  from  General  Truman  Seymour,  who  is,  since  the  capture 
of  General  McCall,  commanding  the  di\-ision  of  Pennsylvania  Reserv'es,  and  who  was  in  all  the  recent  battles 
near  Richmond,  but  escaped  unharmed,  as  his  many  friends  here  will  rejoice  to  leani.  He  sends  me  a  letter 
from  Lieut.  Scott,  who,  since  the  wounding  of  Capt.  Dehart,  is  in  command  of  Battery  C,  Fifth  Artillen.-,  the 
Batterj-  raised  by  General  (then  Captain)  Seymour.  Speaking  of  the  men  in  the  Battery  from  Easton  and 
vicinitv,  General  Sevmoursa3S  :  "That  they  could  do  well  we  all  knew  ;  that  none  would  have  behaved  more 
gallanth',  may  well  now  be  asserted."  He  gives  me  permission  to  make  Lieut.  Scott's  letter  public,  saying  that 
it  will  gratif}-  many  of  the  Easton  people  to  be  assured  that  their  friends  bore  a  prominent  and  honorable  part  in 
these  terrible  encounters.  E.  J.  F. 

Camp  near  James  River,  June  7,  1862. 

General  :  An  answer  to  your  inquiry  respecting  the  Easton  men  of  our  battery  during  the  recent  engage- 
ment would  be  easy,  were  it  not  that  to  make  a  distinction  in  the  case  of  any  would  be  invidious  if  not  unjust, 
where  all  did  so  well.  To  answer  then  for  all — they  did  nobly,  and  I  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  express  in 
words  the  coolness  and  intrepidity  they  showed  in  deeds.  Of  course  during  tlie  excitement  of  an  action 
my  eye  could  not  have  been  upon  all.  I  can  therefore  speak  onh'  of  those  under  my  immediate  command,  ad- 
ding such  items  concerning  others  as  I  have  since  obtained  from  my  brother  officers. 

Searfoss  was  the  first  victim  chosen  from  among  us.  He  was  acting  as  No.  6  to  my  right  piece,  and  was  in 
the  act  of  cutting  the  fuse  of  a  shell  when  struck  by  a  round  shot  below  the  left  knee.  We  were  under  a  ven.- 
heavy  fire  from  three  batteries  at  the  time,  and  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  be  carried  from  the  field.  He 
expired  in  a  few  hours  after  being  taken  to  the  hospital,  and  in  him  the  battery  lost  a  good  soldier  and  a  good 
man.  This  occurred  during  the  first  engagement,  June  26,  and  was  the  sole  casualty  of  that  action.  In  the 
action  of  Gaine  s  Mill  on  the  following  day  the  batter}-  suffered  severely.  Sergeant  Brodie,  the  chief  of  my  left 
piece,  paid  the  penalty  of  his  almost  rash  bravery,  by  receiving  a  wound  in  his  knee.  He  was  struck  almost  as 
soon  as  we  had  come  into  battery  and  before  the  firing  commenced.  He  reached  Savage's  Station,  where  he 
was  no  doubt  taken  prisoner  a  few  days  afterward.  The  courage  he  displayed  deserves  especial  mention,  as  did 
also  that  of  Sergeant  Ginginger,  who  was  shot  through  tlie  body  in  the  same  action.  On  the  retreat  he  came 
along  side  of  me,  and  noticing  that  he  swayed  unsteadily  in  his  saddle,  I  called  to  him,  asking  if  he  was  hit  and 
telling  him  to  keep  by  my  side.  He  made  no  reply,  but  urged  on  his  horse  and  was  soon  lost  in  the  crowd.  He 
died,  I  think,  on  Sunday,  at  Savage's  Station.  I  made  an  effort  to  see  him  but  failed.  He  was  remarkable  for 
the  energT,-  and  thoroughness  with  which  he  accomplished  whatever  he  put  his  hand  to,  and  in  his  death  the 
battery  met  with  a  great  loss. 

Corporal  Hauck  was  chief  of  caisson,  and  when  struck  was  attending  to  his  duties  in  serving  out  ammuni- 
tion. He  was  shot  in  the  breast  and  in  the  thigh  and  fell  immediately.  An  effort  was  made  to  get  him  off  the 
field,  but  it  was  unsuccessful.  Sergeant  Cook  attempted  to  get  him  on  his  horse,  but  at  that  moment  the  horse 
was  shot  and  the  Corporal  had  to  be  abandoned.  The  horse  carried  the  Sergeant  off  the  field  and  they  fell, 
pierced  in  six  places  The  Sergeant  himself  escaped  after  doing  his  duty  nobly  to  the  last  minute,  unhurt,  but 
carrying  off  a  memorial  hole  through  his  blouse.  Corporal  Hauck  was  a  man  of  quiet,  modest  demeanor,  who 
gave  great  promise  as  a  soldier. 

Naylor  was  acting  as  No.  i  to  Sergeant  Cook's  piece,  and  was  killed  at  his  post  while  fighting  bravely. 
You  will  recollect  him  the  more  particularly  from  the  service  he  rendered  you  when  the  battery  was  under  your 
command.     The  manner  of  his  death  verified  your  high  estimate  of  his  charaiter. 

Corporal  Carey,  gunner  to  Sergeant  Cook's  ])iece  was  struck  in  the  shoulder  while  unfixing  the  prolonge 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  243 

by  a  buck-shot.     I  am  happy  to  say  he  is  still  with  us,  that  his  wound  is  doing  well,  and  that  he  will  soon  re- 
turn to  service. 

Of  those  immediately  under  my  command  I  cannot  speak  too  well.  The  two  Balliets,  Corporal  Brader 
Simons,  Gangwere,  Galligan,  Shane,  Mowry,  Grimes — in  faifl  all  stood  up  to  their  work  more  than  like  men 
Simons  and  Gangwere  you  will  recolle<ft  as  the  lead  drivers  of  my  pieces.  Though  in  a  most  exposed  situation 
and  with  no  atlive  dut^-  to  draw  their  attention  from  the  scene  around  them,  like  men  thoroughly  in  earnest 
they  found  for  themselves  something  to  do  in  reporting  the  effeft  of  the  different  shots,  not  discernible  by  us 
and  when  the  smoke  became  so  packed  in  front  of  the  guns  as  to  cut  off  the  view  entirely,  these  men  stood  up 
in  their  stirrups  aud  cheered  on  the  cannoniers  till  the  last  shot  was  fired.  Corporal  Brader  acted  as  chief  of 
piece  after  Sergeant  Brodie  was  shot,  and  filled  his  place  well.  He  was  well  sustained  by  Galligan,  the  No.  i  of 
the  piece.  Corporals  Lines,  Muller,  Green,  Reed,  and  privates  Whitesell,  the  brothers  Green  and  Andrews,  have 
won  from  their  commander  the  highest  praises,  and  others  of  whom  I  have  heard,  but  the  multiplicity  of  whose 
names  prevents  any  mention  of  them,  have  carried  their  share  of  the  encomiums  which  public  opinion  seems  to 
have  given  the  battery.  In  faifl,  sir,  I  find  it  impossible  to  mention  one  without  doing  injustice  by  my  silence 
to  another.  All  did  well — not  one  flinched  or  wavered,  or  made  the  first  motion  towards  retreating  till  they 
were  ordered  to  do  so,  and  then  they  stuck  by  their  pieces.  That  I  have  not  mentioned  other  names  is  no  rea- 
son that  they  are  not  deserving  of  mention.  On  the  contrary  there  is  not  one  of  whom  his  State  and  town  can- 
not be  proud.  I  cannot  close  without  mentioning  the  refreshing  coolness  of  Bugler  Reeder  Muller  on  that  warm 
day.  The  youngest  member  of  the  battery,  he  was  not  surpassed  in  courage  by  the  eldest,  and  followed  the 
Captain  hither  and  thither  with  the  same  nonchalance  with  which  he  had  often  followed  you  on  the  drill 
ground. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  congratulate  you  sir,  upon  the  good  effecftsofthe  discipline  you  enforced  when  in 
command  of  this  batterj-.  With  education  a  good  beginning  makes  a  good  ending.  These  men  received  their 
first  start  in  their  military  life  from  you,  and  to  vou  is  due  in  a  great  measure  the  satisfaftory  results. 

In  the  hope,  sir,  that  our  deeds  have  been  as  satisfaAory  to  you  as  your  commendation  has  been  pleasing  to 
us,  I  remam.  Your  obedient  servant,  E-  G.  ScoTT, 

Lieut.  Commanding  Battery  C,  Fifth  Artillery,  U.  S.  A. 

For  convenience  of  reference  we  continue  here  briefly  our  account  of  the  full  and  faith- 
ful services  of  this  body  of  Eastonians. 

After  the  fearful  fighting  on  the  Peninsula,  the  battery  went  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  on  its  northward  march  in  pursuit  of  Lee,  and  took  part  in  Second  Bull  Run, 
South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  which  latter  fight  it  opened  by  a  cannonade  upon  the  rebel 
Washington  Artillery  on  the  night  of  September  16.  In  the  defeats  of  Fredericksburg 
and  Chancellorsville  it  did  its  duty,  and  in  the  victory  of  Gettysburg,  which  gave  the  nation 
so  glorious  a  Fourth  of  July  for  1863,  it  rendered  prominent  service,  and  was  highly  com- 
plimented in  general  orders.*  During  the  draft  riots  of  1863,  in  the  City  of  New  York, 
the  battery  was  ordered  there  and  stationed  in  City  Hall  Park,  and  remained  on  duty  until 
quiet  was  restored.  It  was  in  the  terrible  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  and  closed  its  fighting 
at  Appomatox.  It  was  subsequently  ordered  to  Fortress  Monroe,  and  performed  guard 
duty  over  the  prison  in  which  Jefferson  Davis  was  confined.  At  the  expiration  of  its  term 
of  enlistment  the  men  returned  to  Easton  and  received  the  congratulations  of  the  citizens 
for  patriotic  duty  faithfully  performed. 

*NoTE.— Sergeant  James  Simons,  in  a  report  of  the  position  of  the  place  of  death  of  the  rebel  General  Ar- 
mistead  upon  the  field  of  Gettysburg,  in  the  Daily  Free  Press  of  April  22,  1SS7,  states  :  "The  fight  went  on,  and 
a  few  minutes  after  when  the  wind  shifted  the  smoke,  I  saw  General  Armistead  lying  right  out  from  my  gun  and 
from  Cushing's  guns.  I  sent  Samuel  S.  Lesher  and  John  J.  Gangwere,  of  Easton,  and  a  man  named  Thomas 
Brannon  from  New  York  State,  to  bring  the  General  in.  *  *  *  Onr  battery  was  located  next  to  Cushing's 
battery,  right  behind  the  stone  wall.  *  *  *  When  they  carried  General  Armistead  in  the  lines  he  thanked 
them,  and  said  '  I  did  not  expe(5l  to  receive  such  kind  treatment  from  your  hands.'  Those  are  believed  to  be 
his  last  words.  He  was  placed  on  a  stretcher,  carried  down  the  hill  back  of  our  guns,  and  there  died.  Our  com- 
mander. Captain  Weir,  gave  me  the  order  to  send  out  men  to  bring  in  the  General." 


244  ^^^  HISTORY  OF 

EASTONIAXS   WITH    BATTERY   C,   FIFTH  U.   S.   A.,   WHO    FELL    IX    BATTLE. 

Sergeant  Frank  Ginginger,  Sergeant  Edward  Brader,  Corporal  William  Naylor,  Cor- 
poral Francis  Mowery,  Corporal  William  Houck,  John  Andrews,  John  Serfass,  William 
Howard,  Thomas  Morrisey.     Besides  the  killed  there  were  about  twenty-five  wounded. 

"we  are  coming,  father  ABRAHAM,  THREE  HUNDRED  THOUSAND  MORE." 
In  July,  1862,  five  different  recruiting  offices  were  opened  in  Easton.  The  heavy  de- 
pletion of  Union  ranks  consequent  upon  the  severe  fighting  of  the  Peninsular  campaign, 
demanded  prompt  supplies  of  men.  The  local  prints  were  full  of  reports  of  Eastonians 
killed  and  wounded  in  service,  but  the  call  of  the  President  for  three  hundred  thousand 
nine  months'  men  met  with  ready  response.  On  Monday  evening,  July  11,  1862,  the 
date  of  the  Governor's  proclamation.  Masonic  Hall  (the  old  Court  House  had  by  this  time 
been  torn  down)  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity.  Col.  Samuel  Yohe  presided,  assisted 
by  the  following  Vice  Presidents  :  Samuel  Moore,  James  McKeen,  James  Dinkey,  Derrick 
Hulick,  John  Abel,  Jr.,  Thomas  T.  Miller,  Frederick  Seitz,  John  Eyerman,  Major  Charles 
Glanz,  Max  Gress,  Thomas  Bishop,  Thomas  J.  Hay,  Major  Thos.  W.  Lynn,  Owen  Reich, 
William  Firmstone,  James  Kidd,  Edward  Ouinn,  George  G.  Zane,  James  Young. 

Secretaries — C.  Edward  Hecht,  Wilson  Hildebraud,  Jacob  Dachrodt,  J.  I.  Kinsey, 
E.  Rockwell. 

Hon.  H.  D.  Maxwell  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  seconded  by  ]\I. 
Hale  Jones,  Esq.,  and  unanimously  adopted. 

The  preamble  sets  forth  the  nature  of  the  Rebellion,  which,  after  fifteen  months  of 
desperate  struggle  was  then  calling  into  service  the  entire  male  population  of  the  Confed- 
erate States,  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  sixty  years,  capable  of  bearing  arms,  and  that 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  ever  mindful  of  the  best  interests  of  the  Republic,  had 
called  for  three  hundred  thousand  more  men  for  the  field  to  reinforce  the  armies  of  the 
Repiiblic  ;  that  the  existence  of  the  great  Republic,  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  its 
people,  the  preservation  of  the  precious  free  institutions  handed  down  to  us  by  Revolu- 
tionary sires,  and  the  continuance  of  the  best  Government  the  world  has  ever  seen,  with 
all  its  rich  benefits  and  blessings  for  us  and  our  posterit}',  depended  iipon  our  success  in 
this  great  contest. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  citizens  of  Easton,  South  Easton  and  -s-icinity,  again  assembled  to  consult  as  to  our 
duty  to  the  Government  and  Nation  in  this  matter,  do  hereby  solemnly  reaffirm  the  resolutions  passed  in  mass 
meeting  in  this  borough  on  April  13,  1861,  the  day  the  news  reached  us  of  the  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter. 

Resolved,  further.  That  we  again,  now,  here  tender  to  the  Government  our  hearty  earnest  self-sacrificing 
co-operation  and  support,  and  renewedly  pledge  ourselves,  collectively  and  indi\-idually,  to  do  all  in  our  power 
to  aid  the  Government  in  the  overthrow  of  this  wicked  Rebellion. 

Resolved,  That  we  feel  and  appreciate  the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking  and  the  greatness  of  the  work  now 
devolved  upon  the  loyal  people  of  these  United  States.  We  know  that  we  are  engaged  in  a  fearful  war  with  an 
almost  savage  enemy  ;  that  blinded,  infuriated  and  desperate,  through  the  machinations  of  desperate  dema- 
gogues, our  foes  will  not  succumb,  will  not  cease  their  hostility  or  abandon  their  revolt,  until  conquered,  over- 
thrown and  subdued  ;  that  they  have  gathered  themselves  up  with  relentless  venom  and  bitter  hate,  and  are  de- 
termined to  withhold  no  means,  stop  at  no  measures  and  hesitate  at  no  adt,  heathenish,  barbarous  or  devilish,  to 
attain  their  end. 

Resolved,  That  in  full  view  and  conscious  of  the  great  work  before  us,  we  accept  the  issue.  We  feel  that 
we  are  fighting  for  good  government,  law,  order,  progress,  truth,  civilization,  humanity  and  religion ;  for  all 
that   is   dear  and  cherished  by  civilized  men  ;  while  our   foes  are  struggling   for   power,  rule,  darkness  and 


"    I 


246  THE  HISTORY  OF 

oppression.  We  feel  that  the  manhood  of  twenty-two  millions  of  free  people  will  never  permit  the  glorious  tem- 
ple of  their  liberties  to  be  overthrown  and  cast  down  by  a  quarter  of  their  number  of  rebel  traitors,  in  arms  to 
destroy  it. 

Judge  Maxwell  accompanied  the  resolutions  with  a  patriotic  address,  in  which  he 
invoked  all  to  use  every  means  God  had  given  them  to  assist  in  putting  down  the  rebel- 
lion. He  said  that  those  who  were  unable  to  go  to  the  war  themselves  could  give  it  their 
moral  and  financial  help  ;  every  one  male  and  female  could  do  something. 

Earnest  and  effective  speeches  were  also  made  by  Edgar  F.  Randolph,  Esq.,  O.  H. 
Meyers,  Esq.,  Capt.  Wm.  H.  Armstrong,  and  Hon.  Philip  Johnson,  and  the  following 
committees  appointed  to  devise  means  for  raising  volunteers  : 

Bnshkill  Ward—Yi.  D.  Maxwell,  Peter  F.  Eilenberger,  Edward  J.  Fox,  Edgar  F. 
Randolph,  McEvers  Forman. 

Lehigh  Ward — Charles  Seitz,  Daniel  Black,  David  Garis,  Henry  S.  Troxell,  William 
H.  Lawall. 

West  Ward — Thomas  Deshler,  William  Haniman,  Jacob  Rinek,  Christian  Take, 
Thomas  Bishop. 

Sotith  Eastoii — Emanuel  R.  Shilling,  Egbert  Rockwell,  Thomas  L.  McKeen,  George 
G.  Zane,  James  Young. 

Patriotic  excitement  ran  high.  Recruiting  lists,  opened  at  the  law  office  of  W.  H. 
Armstrong,  Esq.,  on  North  Third  street,  were  speedily  filled  with  names  of  over  four 
hundred  men.  These  men,  for  the  larger  part,  entered  the  129th  Regiment  Penns>lva- 
nia  Volunteers,  of  which  Jacob  G.  Frick,  late  Lieutenant  Colonel  96th  Penna.  \'ols.,  of 
Schuylkill  county,  became  Colonel,  and  William  H.  Armstrong,  Esq.,  of  the  Xorthamp- 
ton  county  bar,  late  Captain  Company  C,  ist  Penna.  Vols.,  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

ACTION    OF    NORTHAMPTON   COUNTY   TO    AVOID   THE   DRAFT. 

Under  the  schedule  of  apportionment  appended  to  the  proclamation  of  the  Governor 
three  companies  were  expected  from  the  county  of  Northampton.  To  fill  up  this  quota 
a  county  meeting  was  called  to  be  held  at  Nazareth  on  Saturday,  July  26,  1862.  It  was 
largely  attended,  and  a  prominent  part  in  its  proceedings  was  taken  by  citizens  of  Easton. 
The  handbill  announcing  the  meeting  stated  that  the  boroughs  and  towns  of  the  county 
had  thus  far  contributed  most  of  the  men  and  means,  and  that  additional  bounty  and 
inducements  were  imperatively  needed  to  procure  these  volunteers  and  thus  obviate  a 
draft. 

In  pursuance  of  action  then  had,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  Court  House  in  Easton  on 
the  Monday  following  (July  28),  at  which  committees  were  appointed  to  induce  citizens 
to  take  the  bonds,  aggregating  thirty  thousand  dollars,  of  fifty  dollars  each,  to  be  issued 
by  the  County  Commissioners.     The  committeemen  from  Easton  were  : 

Btishkill  //'r?;v/— Samuel  Boileau,  C.  E.  Hecht. 

West  Ward—]o\\\\  Stotzer,  Robert  C.  P>le. 

Lehigh  Ward—V>a\\^  Garis,  Henry  S.  Troxell. 

This  was  the  origin  of  the  153d  Regiment  Penna.  Volunteers,  of  which  Cliarles 
Glanz  became  Colonel  and  Jacob  Dachrodt,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  John  F.  Frueauff,  Major, 
and  Howard  J.  Reeder,  Adjutant.  All  of  these  officers  were  from  Easton,  as  were  also 
many  of  the  company  officers  and  privates. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


247 


DEPARTURE  OF  VOLUNTEERS  FOR  THE  129TH  PENNA.  REGIMENT. 
Two  companies  of  the  volunteers  raised  at  the  office  of  Captain  Wm.  H.  Armstrong 
left  for  Camp  Curtin  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  August  8,  1862,  under  command  respec- 
tively of  Captain  John  Stonebach  and  Captain  Herbert  Thomas,  and  were  followed  upon 
the  next  day  by  the  company  of  Captain  David  Eckar.  The  129th  Regiment  P.  V.,  of 
which  they  formed  part,  was  organized  and  mustered  into  service  August  15,  1862. 


MUSTER   ROLLS  OF   EASTON   COMPANIES,    129TH   PENNA.  VOLUNTEERS. 


COMPANY  D. 


Captains — Herbert  Thomas. 
"  George  L.  Fried. 

Lieutenants — William  H.  Weaver, 
Joseph  Oliver, 
Charles  P.  Arnold. 
Sergeants — Hiram  Hanlcey, 
"  Henry  Huber, 

"  Henry  Gangwere, 

"  Jeremiah  Bachman, 

Solon  C.  Phillippe. 


Reuben  Albert, 
Edward  Alsfelt, 
Charles  Barnet, 
Charles  Broad, 
Richard  Brinker, 
Burton  Burrell, 
Joel  Bauer, 
John  H.  Buckley, 
George  Bidwell, 
Charles  F.  Chidsey, 
Uriah  Clayton, 
Charles  Correll, 
Samuel  D.  Crawford, 
William  H.  Cornell, 
Arthur  Davis, 
C.  Dittler, 
John  Dittler, 
Paul  Danner, 
Albert  Drinkhouse, 
Lewis  H.  Eckert, 
John  Eveland, 
Theodore  Eveland, 
James  Fraunfelter, 
Jacob  Haup, 
Wm.  H.  Hagenbuch, 
James  W.  Heller, 
Henrv  Herger, 


PRIVATES. 

Amos  Hinkle, 
Luther  Horn, 
Martin  L.  Horn, 
Aaron  D.   Hope,  Jr., 
Michael  Herger, 
Erwin  Hartzell, 
Robert  Jamison, 
Frank  Keller, 
Peter  J.  Keime, 
William  H.  Kinnev, 
Henry  Kline, 
William  H.  Kline, 
Richard  Knauss, 
Aaron  F.  Knauss, 
John  Levan, 
George  Lewis, 
Benjamin  A.  Loder, 
George  H.  Ludwig, 
Thomas  Malcolm, 
William  Miller, 
Joseph  H.  Moyer, 
John  Murray, 
Mathew  McAlee, 
George  Oberly, 
J.  F.  Osterstock, 
Mahlon  Raub, 
Francis  B.  Ruth, 


COMPANY  F. 


Captain — David  Eckar. 

First  Lieutenant— PhWip  Reese. 

Second  Lieutenant — Josephus  Lynn. 

Jnrst  Sergeant — David  Bless. 

Sergeants — William  Hartzell, 
Peter  M.  Miller, 
"  Lewis  Keis, 

"  Elisha  Dunbar, 

"  O.  H.  Armstrong. 

Corporals — Peter  S.  Stem, 


<ror/>ora/i— Charles  Able, 
"  Reuben  Lerch, 

"  Charles  M.  Ludwig, 

William  N.  Scott, 
"  Adam  A.  Lehn, 

Frederick  C.  Mattes, 
"  Isaac  Fine,  Jr., 

Howard  R.  Hetrich. 
Musicians— YAi^ix  Campbell, 

John  P.  Speer. 


John  C.  Richards, 
Joseph  P.  Rudy, 
John  Schwab, 
John  Shaffer, 
Jacob  Shewell, 
Ernest  Shnyder, 
John  Shawda, 
Edwin  Shnyder, 
James  S.  Sigman, 
Samuel  Stern,  Jr., 
Edwin  Swift, 
George  N.  Spear, 
B.  R.  Swift, 
George  W.  Thatcher, 
Albert  T.  Tilton, 
William  Tomer, 
Frank  Tomer, 
Amos  C.  Uhler, 
William  H.Unangst, 
Samuel  Weaver, 
James  Weaver, 
Peter  S.  Williams, 
Samuel  S.  Williams, 
George  Wolf, 
Anthony  Wagner, 
Edward  Wilson. 


ror/>o>-a/i— William  Atten, 

Otto  Wohlgemuth, 
"  Francis  Wipler, 

Jacob  H.  Kline, 
"  John  Greenaugh, 

"  Lorenzo  Reimal, 

"  Stephen  Brotzman, 

"  Josiah  Transue. 

Musician — Alpheus  Frey. 


248 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Peter  Aten, 
Samuel  Adams, 
John  J.  Allen, 
Derick  Aten, 
Jeremiah  Albert, 
David  H.  Bruce, 
Har.  Bartholomew, 
Samuel  Bidleman, 
James  Bowman, 
John  H.  Butts, 
Jacob  Bidleman. 
John  Bangor, 
John  Banhart, 
Enos  Dunbar. 
William  Eckar. 
Robert  Ellet, 
William  H.  Fuhr, 
William  Frick. 
Charles  Fo.x. 
William  Frey, 
David  Frankenfield, 
Edw.  Fraunfelder. 
Joseph  Geisinger, 
William  Gosner, 
Andrew  Hoffman, 

Captain — John  Stonebach. 

Lieutenants — Augustus  F.  Heller, 
Henry  Mellick. 

Sergeants — Alvin  M.  Meeker, 
"  George  E.  Hutman, 

"  Horace  W.  Snyder, 

"  Tilghman  Brong. 

"  Herman  Alsover, 

"  Henry  L.  Arndt. 

Corporals — George  Schooley, 
"  George  W.  Wagner, 


PRIVATES. 
Robert  B.  Hill, 
Edmund  Hibler, 
Henry  Hunsberger, 
Jeremiah  Hellick, 
Richard  Hahn, 
Simon  Knoble, 
John  Kresler, 
Joseph  Kocher. 
Thomas  Kelly, 
Jacob  E.  Long, 
Theodore  Labar, 
Aaron  J.  Lambert, 
William  Lay, 
Aaron  Miller, 
John  Mover, 
Levi  H.  Mann, 
Alfred  Myers, 
John  M'Ginis, 
John  W.  M'Cracken, 
John  Xolf, 
Peter  Ott, 
Thomas  Powe, 
Thomas  Rewurk, 
Hiram  Robert, 

COMPANY  K. 


James  P.  Buck, 
J.  J.  S.  Bonstein. 
A.  Buckman, 
James  R.  Bryson, 
James  Bowman, 
Henry  E.  Burcaw, 
D.  A.  Beidleman, 
John  Blass, 
Samuel  D.  Cortright, 
John  DeHart, 
John  Durand, 
James  Derr. 
Elias  Fritchman, 
George  Fenicle, 
Charles  Godlev. 
John  J.  Horn. 
Wm.  H.  Harrison, 
Wm.  H.  Hartzell. 
William  P.  Horn, 
John  P.  Hay, 
Lewis  Hartzell, 
George  W.  Heckman, 
William  P.  Innes, 
Joseph  Kichline, 
Martin  Kichline, 
David  Kutz, 
Wm.  H.  Kutz, 


PRIVATES. 
Andrew  J.  Knauss, 
Jacob  Keinast, 
August  Keiter, 
J.  W.  H.  Knerr, 
Edward  Y.  Kitchen, 
Amandus  Lerch, 
Charles  Lanning, 
Owen  J.  Lerch, 
Samuel  Moyer, 
Philip  M.  Metier, 
James  Mapp, 
Justice  McCarty, 
William  H.  Omrod, 
Napoleon    Patier, 
Jacob  Paulus, 
Martin  Pohl, 
John  K.  Quigley, 
Robert  Rolling, 
J.  W.  Rodenbough, 
William  Roseberrv, 
P.  W.  F.  Randolph, 
Charles  H.  Rhoads, 
George  W.  Rice, 
R.  J.  Ramsden, 
Michael  Rafferty, 
J.  G.  Reichard, 
Jacob  Raub, 


Christian  Rice, 
Christian  H.  Rice, 
Edwin  H.  Rice, 
James  H.  Stocker, 
John  Seip, 
Thomas  Sherer, 
William  Snyder, 
Harrison  Sciple, 
Enos  Shoch, 
George  Stocker, 
Joseph  W.  Savitz, 
William  G.  Sullivan, 
Jacob  A.  Stocker, 
Edward  H.  Transue, 
William  Trumbaur, 
John  J.  Troch, 
Josiah  L'nangst, 
Joseph  Wheeler, 
William  Williams, 
Robert  Wagner. 
William  Wideman, 
John  Woodback, 
John  M.  Wallace. 
Samuel  Watson. 


Cor/iora/j— Herman  H.  Pohl. 

James  P.  Tilton, 

F.  E.  F.Randolph. 

"  Thomas  Wagner, 

"  August  Heiney, 

"  William  Minnich, 

Charles  Diehl, 
"  George  A.  Simons, 

Musicians— ]o\\n  J.  Bell, 

Edward  Roseberrv. 


J.  F.  Reichard, 
William  Reichard, 
William  F.  Roseberry, 
Edward  Ricker, 
Henry  Steinmetz, 
George  P.  Steinmetz, 
George  E.  Sciple, 
William  H.  Smith, 
J.  Stocker, 
Ed.  Smith, 
Benjamin  Smith, 
John  P.  B.  Sloan, 
Samuel  Stoneback, 
George  \.  Stern, 
William  Sletor, 
Val.  \'annorman, 
W.  H.  Vannorman, 
Joseph  Woodring, 
M.   L.  Werkheiser, 
Thomas  Weaver, 
John  D.  Willauer, 
Lewis  Wilhelm. 
Charles  Wolf, 
F.  Willauer, 
John  A.  Young, 
Martin  Young. 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A.  249 

DRAFT  ORDERED  IN  THE  COUNTY. 

Detachments  of  recruits  were  now  so  frequently  forwarded  that  their  departure 
created  but  little  excitement.  The  streets  resounded  with  martial  music,  and  volunteer- 
ing was  continued  by  Captains  John  J.  Horn,  John  E.  Titus,  John  P.  Ricker,  and  others. 
It  had  not,  however,  been  sufficiently  brisk  in  the  county  to  avoid  the  draft,  and  Peter  F. 
Eilenberger,  Esq.,  was  appointed  Deputy  Marshal  for  the  county  to  make  preparations 
for  drafting.     In  his  list  of  deputies  appear  the  following  names  for  the  wards  of  Easton  : 

Biishkill  Ward — William  Ricker,  Isaac  S.  Eilenberger. 

Lehigh  Ward—SSI.  N.  Drake. 

]l'cst  Ward— John  Bitters,  Thomas  W.  Lynn. 

It  was  estimated  that  Easton  had  at  that  time  furnished  about  seven  hundred  men, 
and  would  be  exempted  from  a  draft.  W.  H.  Thompson,  Esq.,  was  appointed  by  the 
Governor  as  Commissioner,  to  conduct  the  draft  in  the  county,  and  on  Monday,  Septem- 
ber 8,  1862,  entered  upon  his  duty  of  determining  claims  for  exemption.  With  proper 
credits  for  volunteers  the  county  was  deficient  eleven  hundred,  somewhat  more  than  a  full 
regiment. 

CALL  FOR  VOLUNTEERS  FOR  STATE  DEFENSE. 

Rebel  invasion  caused  Governor  Curtin  to  call  for  fifty  thousand  volunteers  for  the 
defense  of  the  State.  On  Thursday  evening,  September  11,  1862,  a  telegram  was  received 
from  the  Governor  requiring  the  volunteers  as  early  as  possible.  At  nine  o'clock  Judge 
Maxwell  read  the  order  to  a  large  gathering  of  citizens  in  the  Square,  and  on  Saturday 
morning,  September  13,  two  hundred  and  fifty  able-bodied  men  left  the  borough  for  Har- 
risburg,  under  command  of  Captains  Brackinridge  Clemens,  Thomas  W.  Lynn  and  George 
Finley.  Enough  men  to  fill  the  three  companies  to  one  hundred  men  each,  followed  on 
the  succeeding  Monday  morning.  Augustus  Patier,  a  patriotic  Frenchman,  and  an 
old  resident  of  the  borough,  who  had  served  under  the  first  Napoleon,  with  his  tri-colored 
flag  aloft,  escorted  the  volunteers  to  the  railroad  depot.  Upon  their  flanks  hung  mothers, 
wives,  and  children,  with  large  crowds  of  citizens  generally,  all  the  more  apprehensive, 
now  that  the  foe  was  at  their  door  ;  and  to  meet  him  there  were  in  the  ranks  many  of  the 
older  business  men  and  heads  of  families.  These  men  formed  part  of  the  Fifth  Regiment 
of  what  were  called  Militia  or  Emergency  Men  of  1862.  Captain  J.  Brackinridge  Clem- 
ens was  made  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Melchior  H.  Horn,  Major,  and  Edward  D.  Lawall, 
Adjutant.  The  Fifth  Regiment  of  Militia  was  organized  September  11-13,  1862,  and  dis- 
charged September  24-27,  1862.  The  muster  roll  of  the  Easton  companies,  as  they 
appear  in  Bates'  History,  P.  V. ,  are  as  follows  : 

COMPANY  A. 

Captain— WiWiam  B.  Semple.  Corfiora/s~Edvia.rd  H.  Heckman, 

Mrsi  Lieutenant — George  H.  Bender.  "             Rush  H.  Bixler. 

Second  Lieutenant — ^John  O.  Wagener.  "             Lewis  C.  Drake, 

First  Sergeant — Theodore  Oliver.  "             Howard  Burke, 

Sergeants — William  Eichman,  "             Thomas  Rinek, 

Johu  S.  Barnet,  "             James  M.  Rothrock, 

Henry  B.  Semple,  "             Charles  J.  Rader. 

"             Jeremiah  Murphy.  Musician — Philip  Bruch. 
Corporals — Valentine  Weaver, 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Thomas  Allen, 
Allen  Albright, 
Thomas  M.  Andrews, 
William  Ackerman, 
James  Barnet, 
Daniel  Brown, 
William  Brinker, 
Samuel  Butz, 
William  Butz, 
David  Butz, 
George  Barron, 
Jacob  Burt, 
Thomas  Bowers, 
John  D.  Bowers, 
Henry  W.  Barnet, 
William  Brong, 
Floyd  S.  Bixler, 
Henry  Brodt, 
Daniel  Conklin, 
Henry  M.  Clay, 
Robert  Coons, 
William  Davis, 
George  A.  Drinkhouse, 
James  Donovan, 
Edwin  Ealer, 
Daniel  Frankenfield, 
Forman, 


PRIVATES. 
Henry  S.  Frey, 
Edward  H.  Green, 
Isaac  Goldsmith, 
Theophilus  P.  Gould, 
Frank  Green, 
Samuel  Garis, 
George  Hess, 
James  Hoffman, 
Reuben  Hellick, 
Calvin  Horn, 
Edward  Harmony, 
William  Hutchison, 
Charles  L.  Hemingway, 
Samuel  Howell, 
Reuben  Hines, 
Stephen  Mines, 
William  H.  Jones, 
Amos  Kunsman, 
Edward  Keller, 
Daniel  L.  Kutz, 
Francis  King, 
Reuben  Kolb, 
Owen  Laubach, 
David  Lerch, 
George  D.  Lehn, 
Alexander  Moore, 


Captain— George  Finley. 
First  Lieutenant— ]ohn  J.  Otto. 
Second  Lieutenant— Dan\e\  W.  Snyde 
First  Sergeant— Joseph  P.  Cotton. 
Sergeants— liame\  Phillippe, 
John  M.  Seals, 
"  Richard  N.  Bitters, 

Nelson  P.  Cornell. 


COMPANY  F. 


PRIVATES. 


Cyrus  B.  A 
Edward  Ar 
Samuel  C.  Brown, 
George  Bachman, 
Jacob  Bryson, 
George  Benson, 
George  Barron, 
Fred.  Bornman, 
Joshua  Bercaw, 
William  Buck, 
Edward  D.  Bleckley, 
George  J.  Copp, 
Reuben  W.  Clewell, 
J.  S.  Conklin, 
Howard  H.  Douglass, 
Charles  W.  Dickson, 
Valentine  Diley, 
Al)raham  Fowler, 


Bartlett  C.  Frost, 
William  Fulmer, 
Max  Gress, 
Lewis  Gordon, 
Benjamin  F.  Hower, 
Lewis  M.  Hamman, 
Theodore  F.  Hamma 
William  E.  Hamman 
Alfred  Hart, 
Charles  A.  Hilburn, 
Alvey  Harris, 
David  Kutzler. 
Peter  Kelchner, 
Jesse  Lewis, 
Frank  Ludwig, 
Charles  W.  Meeker, 
John  Moser, 
J.  Traill  Nungesser, 


John  Mock, 
Joseph  Moser, 
Barnet  Mansfield. 
John  C.  Mock, 
William  Moon, 
Thomas  McNess, 
John  R.  Nolf, 
Oscar  Nightingale, 
James  Pittenger, 
John  W.  Pullman, 
Robert  Peacock, 
Samuel  Rader, 
Henry  A.  Rothrock, 
Martin  J.  Riegel, 
Isaac  S.  Sharp, 
Joseph  G.  Semple, 
William  A.  Seitz, 
Augustus  Stewart, 
William  H.  Thomas, 
James  B.  Wilson, 
Henry  W.  Wilking, 
John  Weiland, 
Theodore  Woodring, 
James  E.  Young, 
William  Young, 
Richard  Young. 


-William  Slavin, 
John  H.  Heckman, 
Alexander  Reichard, 
Wilson  H.  Hildebrandt, 
John  H.  Yohe, 
John  Datesman, 
James  Ballentine, 
George  W.  Reichard. 

E.  F.  Probst, 
Thomas  F.  Shipe, 
Jacob  Sandt, 
Roseberry  Seip, 
Charles  Sigman, 
Andrew  Smith, 
Frank  Sigman, 
Robert  Stabp, 
Frank  Tellier, 
Jacob  Vannorman, 
Wm.  H.  Werkheiser, 
Jacob  W.  Weaver, 
Henry  S.  Wagoner, 
James  Ward, 
Henry  Weidknecht, 
Nicodemus  Wilson, 
Albert  Youndt, 
Charles  B.  Zulick. 


COMPANY 


Ca/>/a;n— Thomas  W.  Lynn, 
First  Lieutenant — William  A.  Conahay. 
Second  Lieutenant— yN\\\\Am  L.  Davis. 
First  Sergeant — Reuben  Schlabach. 
Sergeants-Wm^im  H.  Ginnard, 
John  W.  Ricker, 

"  Joseph  A.  Ginnard, 

"  Joseph  H.  Clark. 

Corporals— Thomas  J.  Taylor. 


Corporals — George  Davenport, 
"  Isaac  S.  Eilenbergcr, 

"  Jacob  Kiefer,  Jr., 

"  Jonathan  L.  Fackenthall, 

"  George  P.  Wagner, 

William  C.  Harrison, 
"  Howard  Bowers, 

Musician— C\\aT\es  D.  Horn. 


Thomas  Aikens, 
R.  H.  Abernethy, 
Samuel  Abernethy, 
V.  H.  Durkhouse, 
Henry  Beavers, 
Thomas  Davis, 
Madison  Eilenberger, 
Erastus  Eilenberger, 
Alfred  Godshalk, 
Charles  Hyde, 
William  H.  Hartzell, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 

PRIVATES. 
Samuel  Innes, 
W.  S.  Johnston, 
Peter  Klas, 
John  Knauss, 
Frank  Leidy, 
James  W.  Lynn, 
H.  M.  Mutchler, 
William  Moore, 
James  A.  McGowan, 
Theodore  McCloes, 
William  S.  McLean. 


251 


Joseph  McCabe, 
Frank  Reeder, 
Howard  J.  Reeder, 
Wilson  Skinner, 
John  Simons, 
Jacob  Troxell, 
T.  M.  Todd, 
George  Willauer, 
Daniel  Weinland, 
Jeremiah  Yeisley. 


COMPANY  B.      (South  Easton.) 


Ca/i/ai«-William  Kellogg. 
First  Lieutenant — Thomas  L.  M'Keen. 
Second  Lieutenant —George  E.  Cyphers. 
First  Sergeant — George  Hubbard. 
Sergeants — Emanuel  Kline, 

William  Wolfram, 
"  John  Wolfram, 

Henry  C.  Ashmore. 


Samuel  Allen, 
William  C.  Aten, 
Labourn  W.  Aldridge, 
Hiram  Buss, 
James  Briedy, 
Lewis  Blose, 
Jacob  Brinig, 
Francis  Barr, 
Henry  Brawley, 
Martin  Brotzman, 
James  Burns, 
George  Brooks, 
Robert  Boyd, 
William  Cameron, 
Thomas  Coyle, 
Samuel  Chamberlain, 
John  Carlin, 
John  Chiston, 
Aaron  B.  Charleen, 
Samuel  Davis, 
Samuel  Dull, 
Peter  Donnelly, 
Peter  J.  Dougherty, 
Andrew  Elliott, 
John  Frey, 
Luke  Fox, 


PRIVATES. 
Henry  Fryberger, 
James  Fagan, 
Joseph  Fisher, 
Henry  Frompter, 
Peter  Garris, 
Richard  Griffiths, 
David  Gullion, 
William  Galloway, 
John  Guiley, 
August  Goelitz, 
George  Horning, 
John  Hahn, 
Philip  Hyle, 
William  Heath, 
Thomas  D.  Hanlon. 
Gottlieb  Heitzelman, 
Philip  Hildebrand, 
Josiah  Kohl, 
William  Kolb, 
John  F.  Kline, 
John  Miller, 
Patrick  Mundy, 
John  Marsteller, 
Joseph  Marsteller, 
Stephen  Mover, 
Sylvester  Merwarth, 


Corporals— ]o\m  H.  Wilhelm, 
"  Charles  Huber, 

"  John  Billings, 

Peter  Wilhelm, 
William  H.  Wilhe 
Joseph  Vogle. 
Musician — Emanuel  Wilhelm. 


John  Maddox, 
Thomas  M'Laughlin,  ist, 
Thomas  M'Laughlin,  2d, 
Richard  M'Gee, 
John  M'Makin, 
Robert  M' Donald, 
Owen  B.  Roberts, 
John  Rice, 
John  C.  Sheppard, 
John  Stoker, 
William  Shilling, 
Oscar  L.  Singer, 
Joseph  Stiles, 
Aaron  Transue, 
John  Vogel, 
Peter  Waltman, 
Franklin  Waltman, 
Samuel  Waltman, 
John  Wilhelm, 
George  Walter, 
John  Weiss, 
Richard  Wolfram, 
Josiah  Weber, 
George  P.  Wright, 
William  L.  Zane. 


The  emergency  for  which  these  men  were  called  soon  passed,  but  they  were  entitled 
to  great  credit  for  the  promptness  with  which  they  volunteered,  and  their  presence  in 
large  numbers  on  the  southern  border  of  the  State,  without  doubt,  as  General  McClellan 
in  his  letter  to  Governor  Curtin,  stated,  exercised  a  great  influence  upon  the  enemy. 


I74TH   REGIMENT   DRAFTED   NINE   MONTHS   MILITIA. 

In  the  174th  Regiment,  nine  months  service,  drafted  militia  from  Pennsylvania,  organ- 
ized in  West  Philadelphia  during  the  latter  part  of  October  and  early  in  November,  1862, 
a  number  of  Eastonians  served.  Prominent  among  them  were  Frank  Reeder,  Adjutant  of 
the  regiment  throughout  its  term  of  service,  son  of  Hon.  A.  H.  Reeder,  and  J.  L.  Pack- 


252 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


enthall,  Captain  of  Company  A.  We  regret  that  we  cannot  obtain  names  of  others  scat- 
tered tlirough  the  company  lists.  This  regiment  saw  much  active  service;  proceeding 
after  its  organization  from  Washington  to  Suffolk,  Va.,  and  thence  on  Januarys  6,  1863,  to 
Newberne,  N.  C.  It  formed  part  of  the  force  under  General  Foster  to  reinforce  the  army 
in  front  of  Charleston,  and  reached  Hilton  Head,  February  5,  1863.  At  Helena  Island  it 
remained  in  camp  until  February  27,  when  it  proceeded  to  Beaufort  and  was  engaged  in 
the  routine  of  camp  and  garrison  duty  until  its  transfer  in  June  to  Hilton  Head.  It  was 
ordered  north  in  July,  its  term  of  service  being  about  to  expire,  and  on  August  7th  was 
mustered  out  at  Philadelphia. 


Charles  Glanz, 

Captain  Co.  G,  9th  P.  V.     Colonel  153d  P.  V. 

(From  War  Photograph) 


Dachrodt, 
B    1st  P   V.     Lieut.  Col.  153d  P.  V. 
(From  Recent  Photograph.) 


MU.STER  IN  OF  1530  PEXX.\.  VOLUNTEERS. 
The  draft  ordered  by  Governor  Curtin  had  been  postponed  to  the  fifteenth  day  of 
September,  and  again  to  the  twenty-seventh.  Meanwhile,  Commissioner  W.  H.  Tliompson 
announced  that  he  would  proceed  to  fill  the  draft  on  Monday,  wSeptember  22,  1862,  unless 
by  that  date  .satisfied  that  each  township  had  furnished  its  full  quota.  E.\tra  bounties 
offered  by  the  townships  had  aided  greatly,  and  some  of  the  volunteer.s,  by  October, 
returned  from  service  in  defense  of  the  State,  again  enrolled  themselves,  and  the  153d 
Regiment,  recruited  wholly  in  the  county,  and  the  first  regiment  rai.sed  in  the  State  in 
lieu  of  draft,  was  mustered  into  service  at  Harrisburg,  October  11,  1862.  For  some  days 
previous  to  their  departure  the  men  gathered  from  the  county  were  quartered  at  the 
hotels  of  the  borough,  under  direction  of  Commissioner  Thonipson.  They  assembled  at 
their  respective  quarters,  and  under  command  of  Colonel  Charles  Glanz  formed  in  regi- 
mental column  and  marched  to  the  Pliillipsburg  depot  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  (the 
Soutli  Third  street  bridge  across  the  Lehigh  river  having  been  swept  away  by  a  late 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


253 


freshet)  and  there  took  the  train  for  Harrisburg.  Commissioner  Thompson  accompanied 
them,  and  delivered  to  the  State  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  efficient  regiments  in  the 
service.  Their  departure  occasioned  great  excitement.  The  streets  were  thronged  with 
their  country  friends,  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough.  Immediate  active  service  was 
expedled  and  farewell  greetings  were  frequent  and  hearty.  Company  E  of  this  regiment, 
whose  roster  is  given  below,  was  composed  almost  wholly  of  Eastonians  ;  many  others 
from  the  borough  were  mustered  into  the  other  companies. 

COMPANY  E. 
Captain— }o\\n  P.  Ricker. 
First  Lieutenant— Christian  H.  Rehfuss. 
Second  Lieutenants— Jeremiah  Dietrich, 
"  "  Paul  Bachschmid. 

First  Serjeants — Theodore  R.  Combs, 


Andrew  Burt, 
Adam  Reisinger. 
-William  F.  Snyder, 

Andrew  J.  Hay, 

John  Bittner, 

Amandus  D.  Snvder. 


Corporals — ^Jacob  Christian, 
"  Lewis  Fraunfelder, 

Vanselan  Walter, 
Nathaniel  Michler, 
"  Ab'm  G.  Snyder, 

"  George  W.  Barnet, 

"  Noah  Dietrich, 

"  Edwin  Brinker. 

-Samuel  E.  Lerch, 
Darius  Thomas. 


Musician 


Joseph  Andrew, 
David  Abel, 
Reuben  Abel, 
Levi  S.  Brady, 
Edward  Boadwee, 
Samuel  Ball, 
Edward  Bonden, 
Thos.  T.  C.  Brady, 
Tobias  Bauer, 
Adam  Bonden, 
Sidney  R.  Bridinger, 
Joseph  Cole, 
Charles  H.  Derr, 
Christian  Dick, 
William  Dachrodt, 
William  Diehl, 
George  Ellhardt, 
William  Entlich, 
Simon  Engel, 
Edwin  Ealer, 
Pearson  Flight, 
Reuben  Faucht, 
Peter  Glass, 
William  Geiger, 
Peter  Hart, 
Joseph  Hetzler, 


PRIVATES. 
John  Q.  Hay, 
George  Heffling, 
Edward  Hayden, 
Charles  Immich, 
Jacob  Jacoby, 
John  Johnson, 
Thomas  Kichline, 
Mover  Kohn, 
John  Kisselbach, 
William  Koch, 
Edward  Lear, 
Peter  Lear, 
Francis  Leidy, 
Valentine  Messinger, 
Aaron  Messinger, 
John  Mertz, 
William  Martin, 
John  H.  Moser, 
Henry  Mutchler, 
William  Miller, 
William  Moyer, 
John  S.  Neubrandt, 
Joseph  Norton, 
Edward  Osterstock, 
John  J.  Pa.xson, 
Emil  Robst, 


Jacob  Rasener, 
John  A.  Schug, 
John  Stecher, 
Alexander  Schug, 
August  Stumpel, 
Samuel  B.  Smith, 
Frank  Smith, 
John  Saylor, 
William  T.  Sandt, 
Theodore  Snyder, 
Theodore  Schug, 
Messiah  Transue, 
George  W.  Vanosten, 
Richard  J.  Walter, 
Charles  C.  Warner, 
Ab'm  K.  Woodring, 
Levi  F.  Walter, 
James  E.  Wilson, 
Augustus  Wagner, 
Eph'm  Werkheiser, 
Isaac  Writtenberg, 
Peter  Yeager,  Jr., 
Charles  A.  Vouch, 
John  Young, 
John  Zeller. 


DEPARTURE  OF  DRAFTED  MEN. 
To  fill  up  the  quota  for  the  county,  two  hundred  and  thirty-si.x  drafted  men  left  Eas- 
ton  for  Philadelphia,  on  Wednesday  morning,  October  29,  1862,  and  were  there  mustered 
into  service.  Their  march  down  Third  street,  in  charge  of  the  Draft  Commissioner,  is 
noted  by  the  papers,  as  peculiarly  solemn.  Many  had  left  household  and  business,  poorly 
able  to  afford  their  absence,  and  great  sympathy  was  felt  by  the  attendant  crowds  who 
watched  their  march  and  ferriage  across  the  Lehigh  river. 


254  THE  HISTORY  OF 

EASTOX    LOYAL    UXIOX    LEAGUE. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  National  Hotel  on  Saturday  evening,  jNIarch  24,  1863,  which 
from  its  numbers  and  enthusiasm,  was  reported  as  an  unmistakable  exhibition  of  the  loyalt\- 
of  our  people  to  the  government,  and  their  determination  to  crush  the  rebellion,  the 
Easton  Loyal  Union  League  was  organized.  Its  alleged  aim  was  to  support  the  Union 
and  the  Constitution  and  to  uphold  the  government  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war.  The 
following  named  persons  were  chosen  unanimously  as  permanent  officers  : 

President — Hon.  Henry  D.  Maxwell. 

lice  Presidents — Lehigh  Ward:  Russell  S.  Chidsey,  Frederick  Seitz,  Sr.  Bushkill 
Ward:  John  Pollock,  Peter  F.  Eilenberger.     West  Ward:  Jacob  Rinek,  Andrew  J.  Hay. 

.S"£r;r^7;7«— Lehigh  Ward:  Wilson  H.  Hildebrand.  Bushkill  Ward:  J.  F.  Thompson. 
West  Ward:  W.  C.  Detweiler. 

Executive  Committee — Lehigh  Ward:  Daniel  Black,  Henry  A.  Sage,  William  X. 
Drake.  Bushkill  Ward:  Derrick  Hulick,  John  Able,  Jr.,  James  L.  Mingle.  West  Ward: 
Charles  Goepp,  John  Bitters,  Samuel  Oliver. 

Corresponding  Secretary — Benjamin  F.  Stem. 

Treasurer — William  H.  Thompson. 

A  constitution  and  by-laws,  reported  by  Benjamin  F.  Stem,  Esq.,  chairman  of  com- 
mittee for  that  purpose,  was  adopted  and  speeches  were  made  by  Judge  Maxwell  on  taking 
the  chair,  and  by  Charles  Goepp,  Esq. 

PUBLIC    PRESEXTATIOX    OF    A    HORSE   AND    EQUIPMEXTS. 

The  following  is  abridged  from  the  lengthv  report  of  the  Daily  Express  of  April 
8,  1863  : 

"The  presentation  of  a  horse  and  equipments  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  William  H. 
Armstrong,  129th  Penna.  Vols.,  to  replace  one  killed  under  him  at  the  battle  of  Freder- 
icksburg, took  place  at  Whitesell's  Hotel,  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  April  7,  1863,  in  presence 
of  a  large  concourse  of  citizens.  The  Colonel  was  escorted  to  the  hotel  by  a  committee 
headed  by  Coates'  Cornet  Band  where  the  presentation  speech  was  made  by  Hon.  H.  D. 
Maxwell.  It  complimented  the  Colonel  upon  fidelity  to  his  men,  and  the  interests  of  the 
service,  at  the  expense  of  heavy  personal  sacrifice,  and  for  gallantry  upon  the  field,  and 
assured  him  of  the  respecfl  and  support  of  the  citizens  who  gave  this  fine  horse  and  equip- 
ments as  a  slight  testimonial  of  their  esteem.  A  feeling,  impromptu  response  was  made 
by  the  Colonel,  and  received  with  cheers  for  himself,  his  regiment,  and  other  commands 
to  whom  he  had  referred  in  the  following  extra(5l  from  his  speech  : 

"  The  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  alone  will  suppress  the  rebellion.  It  is  a  day 
of  sacrifices,  and  our  community,  to  its  praise,  has  not  been  lacking  in  patriotic  devotion. 
A  stranger  seeing  the  busy  valley  of  the  Lehigh,  or  the  lively  streets  of  our  beautiful 
borough,  would  scarcely  realize  that  the  nation  was  engaged  in  a  contest  of  so  great  mag- 
nitude. Here  and  there,  desolate  hearts  and  hearth-stones  reveal  it.  The  ranks  of  our 
representatives  in  the  field  are  thinned  through  casualties  incident  to  war,  but  hundreds 
yet  in  civil  life  stand  ready  to  fill  the  gaps.  Our  large  representation,  already  in  service, 
has  done  us  no  discredit.  The  51st  Penna.  Vols.,  vi(5torious  upon  many  fields,  has  a  repu- 
tation for  efficiency  and  heroism  throughout  the  army.  The  caps  found  nearest  that 
deadly  wall  at  Fredericksburg  bore  the  figures  129.      In  other  organizations  are  we  repre- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  255 

sen  ted  with  equal  credit.  The  brave  and  accomplished  Captain,  Ferdinand  W.  Bell,  of 
the  51st,  who  fell  at  Fredericksburg,  will  long  be  remembered  for  his  soldierly  attain- 
ments and  superior  ability  as  a  commander." 

' '  In  the  evening  a  complimentary  serenade  was  tendered  to  the  Colonel  at  his  resi- 
dence on  North  Third  street,"  continues  the  Express,  "to  which  he  briefly  responded, 
and  with  nine  hearty  cheers  for  the  army  of  the  Union  the  vast  crowd  proceeded  to  the 
residence  of  Lewis  A.  Buckley,  Esq.,  and  serenaded  Captain  Herbert  Thomas  of  the 
129th  Penna.  Vols.  Thus  ended  this  glorious  and  well  merited  ovation  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Armstrong,  and  through  him  to  our  gallant  boys  in  the  field." 

RECEPTION   OF  THE    129TH   PENNA.    VOLS.— SKETCH   OF  SERVICE. 

"This  regiment" — to  quote  mainly  from  its  regimental  history,  prepared  for  the 
Reunion  of  August  14,  1884,  by  Charles  F.  Chidsey,  Esq.,  of  Co.  D,  and  from  Bates'  His- 
tory of  the  Pennsylvania  Volunteers — "was  organized  at  Camp  Curtin  on  August  15,  1862. 
Its  Colonel,  Jacob  G.  Frick,  of  Pottsville,  had  served  as  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Mexican  War 
and  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  96th  P.  V.  Captain  William  H.  Armstrong,  of  Easton, 
late  Captain  of  the  ist  P.  V.,  a  member  of  the  Northampton  County  Bar,  became  its 
Lieutenant  Colonel."  The  rosters  of  the  companies  from  Easton  have  already  been  given. 
Volunteers  from  the  same  place  also  appear  upon  some  of  the  rolls  of  the  other  companies. 

"The  day  following  its  organization,  August  16,  after  having  been  armed  and  equipped 
in  great  haste,  it  was  hurried  to  the  front  and  merged  into  the  Fifth  Army  Corps  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  commanded  by  General  Fitz  John  Porter.  Here,  by  constant  com- 
pany and  regimental  drill,  in  camp  near  Alexandria,  Va.,  under  the  a6live  and  intelligent 
guidance  of  Colonel  Frick,  the  regiment  rapidly  attained  a  marked  degree  of  efficiency. 
Two  companies,  while  here,  rebuilt  the  Bull  Run  bridge,  and  for  a  while  were  stationed 
there  as  a  guard.  August  30th  the  129th  was  for  the  first  time  under  fire.  It  was  at  the 
second  Bull  Run  fight  as  they  were  preparing  a  camp,  after  having  safely  delivered  an  am- 
munition train  at  Centreville.  The  shelling  was  so  severe  that  on  a  double  quick  the 
camping  ground  was  abandoned  for  one  more  secure  from  intrusion  of  rebel  artillery  prac- 
tice. September  3d,  near  Fairfax  Seminary,  the  regiment  was  brigaded  with  the  91st, 
134th  and  126th  Penna.  Regiments,  commanded  by  General  E.  B.  Tyler.  Its  next  camp 
was  near  Fort  Richardson,  where  brigade  and  battalion  drill  was  studiously  pra6liced.  On 
the  morning  of  September  15th  the  brigade  started  on  its  march  toward  the  memorable  field 
ofAntietam.  By  an  exhausting  march,  which  sorely  tried  the  men,  the  129th  pushed 
forward  for  two  days,  crossing  the  Monocacy,  and  to  the  sound  of  heavy  cannonading 
arrived  early  in  the  morning  of  the  i8th  on  the  battlefield.  With  thousands  of  others  in 
line  of  battle  the  men  awaited  renewal  of  the  fight.  But  during  the  night  the  enemy  had 
retired,  and  the  command  went  into  camp,  where  for  six  weeks  the  regiment  remained 
engaged  in  drill  and  picket  dut^.  During  this  time,  in  an  expedition  up  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  the  129th  had  a  lively  skirmish  with  the  enemy  near  Kearneysville,  Va. 
AT   FREDERICKSBURG. 

"On  Ocftober  30th  the  movement  towards  Fredericksburg  began,  and  the  regiment,  now 
in  the  First  Brigade  of  General  A.  A.  Humphreys'  Third  Division  of  General  Butterfield's 
Fifth  Corps,  marched  upon  that  bloody,  but  fruitless  campaign.  On  December  13,  just 
before  twilight,  the  gallant  129th  entered  the  fight  under  a  ceaseless  fire  of  musketry  and 


256  THE  HISTORY  OF 

artillery.  Over  the  prostrate  bodies  of  thousands  of  Union  dead  they  pressed  forward  as 
a  forlorn  hope  to  capture  the  heights  of  Fredericksburg.  In  the  gathering  darkness  they 
fought,  as  only  true  soldiers  could,  and  made  a  charge  which  became  famous  in  the  many 
heroic  endeavors  of  that  dreadful  day."  The  charge  of  Humphreys'  Division  is  a  feature 
of  the  battle  mentioned  in  many  histories  of  the  war.  It  is  graphically  shown  in  a  large 
double  page  picflure  in  Harper's  Weekly  of  January  10,  1863.  The  New  York  ]\'orld 
correspondent  of  the  time  wrote:  "The  column  moved  gallantly  forward,  reached  the 
line  of  battle,  passed  fifty  yards  beyond,  when  a  deadly  fire  from  behind  the  stone  wall 
caused  it  to  recoil,  and  the  Second  Brigade  (Allabach's)  fell  back  to  reform.  In  fifteen 
minutes  the  brigade  had  lost  five  hundred  men.  There  was  but  one  more  chance.  Tyler's 
Brigade  had  come  up,  and,  notwithstanding  the  turmoil.  General  Humphreys  had  suc- 
ceeded in  forming  it  in  gallant  style.  The  only  hope  now  was  with  the  bayonet.  The 
men  were  ordered  not  to  fire — to  rely  upon  their  trusty  steel.  General  Humphreys  took 
the  command.  General  Hooker  exhorted  the  men  not  to  quail  ;  not  to  look  back  ;  to  dis- 
regard the  men  prostrate  on  the  ground  before  them,  to  march  over  them.  The  oflicers 
were  ordered  to  the  front  ;  then  the  brigade,  led  in  person  by  Tyler  and  Humphreys  moved 
forward  with  a  glorious  cheer.  They  came  within  eighty  yards  of  the  fatal  wall,  crossing 
line  upon  line  of  men  lying  flat  upon  the  ground  ;  they  moved  over  the  living  mass  amid 
shouts  from  the  prostrate  men,  '  Don't  go  there,  its  certain  death  ;'  and  rising  they  began 
to  impede  the  progress  of  the  column.  Then  the  crisis  came  ;  older  troops  than  they  had 
quailed  before  the  murderous  volleys  now  making  great  gaps  through  their  ranks  ;  the 
head  of  the  column  was  enveloped  in  a  sheet  of  living  flame  ;  the  hideous  shells  were 
bursting  all  around  and  in  their  midst.  The  men  began  to  load  and  fire  ;  the  momentum 
of  the  charge  was  gone  and  they  were  forced  to  fall  back.  Humphreys  had  two  horses  shot 
under  him  and  was  terribly  chagrined  at  his  repulse,  and  this  was  the  forlorn  hope  of  the 
day.  It  demonstrated  the  impregnability  of  the  enemy's  position — demonstrated  that  the 
bravest  troops  in  the  zvorld  could  not  stem  the  torrent  of  fire  which  poured  and  plunged 
and  converged  into  that  fatal  space."  It  is  said  in  "Bates'  History"  that  the  caps  found 
nearest  the  rebel  wall  at  the  slaughter  of  Fredericksburg  were  marked  "129th  P.  \'." 
Company  D  lost  Lieutenant  Joseph  Oliver  and  seven  privates  as  prisoners  taken  at  the 
wall.  The  regiment  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  142  men.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Armstrong 
had  his  horse  shot  under  him.  Captains  Lawrence  and  Taylor  were  mortally  wounded, 
and  Captains  Wren,  Thomas,  Rehrer  and  Leib,  and  Lieutenants  Luckenbach  and  Oliver 
received  severe  wounds.  The  General  commanding  in  his  report  of  the  battle  spoke  in 
glowing  terms  of  the  129th. 

The  casualities  at  Fredericksburg  among  the  Easton  companies  were  : 
Company  D — Captain  Herbert  Thomas  wounded  ;  Second  Lieutenant  Joseph  Oliver 
wounded  and  captured  ;  Sergeant  Jeremiah  Bachmau  wounded  ;  Sergeant  Solon  C.  Phil- 
lippe  wounded ;  Corporals  Reuben  Lerch,  Frederick  C.  Mattes,  Isaac  C.  Fine,  wounded  ; 
Privates  George  Bidwell,  Erwin  Hartzell,  Edward  Wilson,  killed  ;  Privates  Reuben  Albert, 
Edward  Alsfelt,  Burton  Burrell,  Paul  Danner,  George  Oberly,  Frank  Tomer,  wounded, 
and  Charles  Barnet,  Matthew  McAlee,  John  Shaffer,  Amos  C.  l^hler,  James  Weaver, 
Samuel  S.  Williams,  captured. 

Company  /•'—Sergeant  O.  H.  .Vrmstrong  killed  ;  Sergeant  William  .\ten  wounded  ; 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  257 

Corporal  Josiah  Transue  killed  ;  Corporal  Otto  Wohlgemuth  wounded  ;  Privates  Jeremiah 
Albert,  John  H.  Butts,  William  Frey,  Thomas  Kelly,  Edward  Frounfelder  killed,  and 
Enos  Dunbar,  Robert  Ellet,  David  Frankenfield,  Joseph  Geissinger,  Andrew  Hoffman, 
Henry  Hunsberger,  John  Kresler,  John  McGinnis,  Christian  H.  Rice,  Edward  H.  Tran- 
sue, Joseph  Wheeler,  John  M.  Wallace,  wounded. 

Company  K — Corporal  George  A.  Simons  wounded  ;  Privates  William  Sletor  and 
Franklin  Willauer,  killed. 

THE   DRESS  COAT   EPISODE. 

Towards  the  middle  of  January,  1863,  an  order  was  issued,  through  division  head- 
quarters, requiring  the  men  to  draw  dress  coats.  As  they  had  just  been  provided  with 
two  blouses  per  man  the  dress  coat  did  not  seem  to  be  needed.  It  would  only  be  an  incum- 
brance and  a  needless  expense,  and  moreover  their  term  of  service  would  shortly  expire. 
The  officers  sought  to  have  their  regiment  relieved  from  the  operations  of  the  order  ;  but 
in  this  they  were  unsuccessful,  and  upon  their  refusal  to  obey  the  order  the  Colonel  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  were  summarily  tried  and  dismissed  from  the  service.  They  were, 
however,  soon  after  reinstated  and  restored  to  their  commands,  the  general  officer  who 
had  preferred  charges  against  them  testifying  to  their  fidelity  and  gallantry. 

Upon  their  return  to  the  regiment  a  grand  ovation  was  given  to  them  by  the  officers 
and  men  of  their  command,  in  which  many  from  other  camps  participated.  It  was  all  the 
more  marked  for  being  spontaneous,  and  strongly  showed  the  gratitude  of  the  volunteers 
for  the  stand  taken  by  the  officers  in  their  behalf. 

THE  CHANCELtORSVILLE  CAMPAIGN. 

On  the  retreat  from  Fredericksburg  the  knapsacks  and  baggage  of  the  regiment  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  through  failure  of  the  Division  General  to  permit  the  men  to 
take  them  from  the  building  in  which  he  had  ordered  them  stored  previous  to  the  fight, 
so  that  until  December  23d  the  men  were  exposed  to  the  cold  rainy  days  of  winter  with- 
out shelter  of  any  kind,  not  even  having  overcoats  or  blankets.  Their  sufferings  in  con- 
sequence, were  intense.  One  man  died  from  exposure  and  many  were  thrown  into  hos- 
pitals. From  January  20th  to  24th  the  regiment  was  on  the  famous  Burnside's  mud 
march,  and  on  picket  and  scouting  duty  until  Hooker's  campaign  opened  against  Chan- 
cellorsville,  in  the  rear  of  Fredericksburg.  Space  forbids  a  detailed  account  of  the  glorious 
part  taken  in  this  memorable  affair  by  the  129th.  It  engaged  the  enemy  in  a  hot  contest  on 
Sunday  morning.  May  3d,  1863,  in  the  wood  in  front  of  the  Union  batteries.  For  two 
hours  they  fought,  till,  with  ammunition  exhausted  and  their  right  flank  turned  by  an 
overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy,  they  were  ordered  to  face  by  the  rear  rank  and  retire 
behind  the  batteries. 

The  129th  had  not  left  the  wood  before  the  rebels  were  upon  them,  and  some  spirited 
hand-to-hand  encounters  occurred.  The  colors  were  twice  seized,  but  defended  with  great 
gallantry  and  borne  safely  off.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Armstrong  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands, 
but  escaped  in  the  confusion  in  the  rebel  ranks  caused  by  the  fire  of  our  artillery.  Major 
Anthony  was  shot  through  the  lungs,  but  survived  for  many  years,  what  was  then  thought 
to  be  a  mortal  wound.  Captain  Stonebach  of  Company  K,  was  seized  twice  as  a  prisoner, 
but,  using  his  fists,  he.  knocked  down  his  would-be  captors  and  escaped.     The  loss  was 


258  THE  HISTORY  OF 

five  killed,  thirty-two  wounded,  and  five  missing.  "  The  129th,"  says  General  Tyler  in 
his  official  report,  "was  on  our  left,  and  no  man  ever  saw  cooler  work  on  field  drill  than 
was  done  by  this  regiment.  Their  firing  was  grand,  by  rank,  by  company  and  b)-  wing, 
and  in  perfedl  order. 

Casualties  at  Chancellorsville  among  the  Easton  companies  : 

Company  D — Privates  Arthur  Davis,  William  Tomer,  wounded. 

Company  F— Private  Theodore  Labar,  wounded. 

HOMEWARD   BOUND — THE  WELCOME. 

The  regiment's  return  to  camp  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  on  May  6th,  was  followed  on  the 
1 2th  by  the  order  to  report  at  Harrisburg,  where,  after  a  joyous  homeward  journey,  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service  on  the  i8th  of  May,  1863.  Its 
term  of  service  was  for  nine  months,  and  the  time  had  fully  expired  ;  in  fadl  the  time  of 
some  of  the  volunteers  had  expired  before  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville. 

The  citizens  of  Easton,  who  had,  among  other  organizations  for  relief  of  the  soldiers, 
maintained  what  was  called  the  "  129th  Regiment  Express  Association,"  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  the  regiment  information  from  home  and  such  assistance  as  was  possible,  had 
arranged  for  a  general  and  flattering  welcome  upon  their  return. 

The  following  account  of  their  reception  is  abridged  somewhat  from  the  report  of  the 
Easton  Daily  Express  of  Thursday  evening.  May  21,  1863  : 

"The  20th  day  of  May,  1863,  will  ever  be  a  day  memorable  in  the  annals  of  the 
History-  of  Easton.  It  was  signalized  by  the  arrival  of  three  companies  of  the  129th 
Regiment,  P.  V.,  commanded  respe6lively  by  Captain  George  L.  Fried,  Captain  John 
Stonebach,  and  Captain  David  Eckar,  all  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  William 
H.  Armstrong. 

"The  citizens  of  Easton  opened  their  arms  and  their  hearts  to  welcome  home  that 
gallant  band  of  patriots,  who  left  home  and  kindred  nine  mouths  since,  with  high  hopes 
and  enthusiastic  aspirations,  and  amid  the  horrors  of  war  have  ever  upheld  the  honor  of 
the  cause  in  which  they  were  engaged,  as  well  as  the  nation  for  which  they  were  fighting. 
Since  that  time  the  men  of  the  129th  have  written  for  themselves  and  for  their  country  a 
glorious  page  in  the  history  of  a  patriotic  and  brave  people,  struggling  to  maintain  their 
national  unity.  Nine  months  have  elapsed  since  those  gallant  companies  marched  down 
Third  street,  fully  three  hundred  strong,  eager  to  take  part  in  the  battles  of  their  country, 
and  many  a  brave  hero  who  then  formed  part  of  the  noble  band,  now  sleeps  on  the  shores 
of  the  Rappahannock. 

"  How  sad,  and  at  the  same  time  chivalrous  a  tale  is  told  by  this  reception.  How 
many  a  thrill  of  joy  it  brings  to  the  hearts  of  some,  while  pangs  of  anguish  wring  those 
of  others.  To  those  who  have  lost  friends  and  relatives  in  the  129th  in  the  chances  of 
war,  the  cheers  of  welcome,  yesterday,  bursting  from  hundreds  of  voices  were  a  striking 
and  melancholy  reminder  of  lost  ones,  upon  whom  they  should  never  look  as  of  \ore. 
Those  who  recognized  their  brothers,  sous,  fathers,  husbands  and  friends,  thanked  Heaven 
that  they  had  been  spared  to  them. 

"Those  who  knew  the  charadler  of  the  citizens,  who  formed  the  soldiers  of  the  regi- 
ment, expedled  much  from  them,  and  were  not  disappointed.  All  through  their  campaign 
we  had  good  reports  of  their  soldierly  condufl,  of  tlieir  endurance  of  the  toilsome  march. 


E ASTON,    PENN\4.  259 

of  their  patience  in  the  tedium  of  camp,  of  their  faithfulness  on  the  outposts,  of  their 
excellent  discipline  on  all  occasions,  of  their  coolness  for  hours  under  terrific  showers  of 
shell  and  shot  at  the  first  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  finally  of  the  heroic  manner  in 
which  they  won  imperishable  laurels  at  Chancellorsville  under  their  gallant  and  beloved 
commander.  General  Joe  Hooker.  It  was  fitting  that  the  welcome  should  be  so  imposing, 
and  so  cordial  a  demonstration.  The  programme  adopted  by  the  committees  was  carried 
out  to  the  letter,  and  the  demonstration  was  a  perfedl  success,  creditable  to  those  whom  it 
was  intended  to  honor. 

ARRIVAL  OK  THE  VOLUNTEERS. 
"  The  firing  of  five  guns  from  Mount  Jefferson  on  the  previous  evening,  announced, 
according  to  arrangement,  that  the  volunteers  would  leave  Harrisburg  for  Easton  on  the 
next  morning,  and  during  the  night  and  early  forenoon,  the  entire  town,  from  one  end  to 
the  other,  was  decorated  with  flags,  evergreens,  etc.  The  morning  opened  beautifully, 
and  a  finer  day  could  not  have  been  seledled.  At  the  salute  of  three  guns  fired  in  the 
morning,  many  of  the  friends  of  the  volunteers  from  the  country  came  to  join  in  the  wel- 
come. At  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  another  gun  was  fired  to  announce  that  the  line  of 
procession  should  be  formed  in  the  Square,  and  immediately  thousands  of  persons  began 
to  wend  their  way  toward  the  bridge  and  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  depot,  and  South 
Third  street  soon  presented  a  solid  mass  of  men,  women  and  children.  The  procession 
soon  made  its  appearance  at  the  bridge,  and  crossed  over  to  the  depot  and  awaited  the 
appearance  of  the  train.  Soon  the  special  train  hove  in  sight,  and  then  a  deafening  shout 
arose,  added  to  by  the  simultaneous  whistling  of  at  least  half  a  dozen  locomotives  which 
were  standing  on  the  track  in  the  vicinity  of  the  depot,  that  took  down  anything  in  the 
way  of  a  salute  we  had  ever  heard.  As  the  train  stopped  a  general  rush  was  made  for  the 
cars,  and  such  a  shaking  of  hands,  kissing  and  embracing,  as  took  place  by  the  friends  of 
the  volunteers,  some  laughing,  and  others  crying,  our  pen  is  inadequate  to  describe. 

"The  line  was  immediately  formed,  and,  headed  by  Coates'  Cornet  Band  and  Chief 
Marshal  Colonel  Samuel  Yohe,  proceeded  across  the  crowded  bridge,  and  entered  Third 
street  in  the  following  order  : 

Committee  of  Arrangements. 

Soldiers  of  181 2. 

Carriages  containing  wounded  and  sick  soldiers. 

Orator  of  the  day  and  invited  guests. 

Guard  of  Honor  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Joseph  Oliver. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  William  H.  Armstrong. 

Company  D,  commanded  by  Captain  George  L.  Fried. 

Company  F,  commanded  by  Captain  David  Eckar. 

Company  K,  commanded  by  Captain  John  Stonebach. 

Citizens  of  Easton  and  South  Easton. 

Three  wagons  neatly  decorated  with  wreaths  of  spruce,  and  the  horses  handsomely 

caparisoned,  containing  the  baggage  of  Companies  D,  K  and  F,  brought  up  the  rear  of 

the  procession.     The  teams  belonged  to  Seitz  &  Brother,  who  had  done  much  in  getting 

up  the  demonstration. 

' '  The  scene,  upon  the  arrival  of  the  volunteers  at  Third  street,  could  better  be  imagined 
than  described.     The  streets  were  a  perfe6l  jam,  so  much  so,  that  it  was  with  diflJiculty 


26o  THE  HISTORY  OF 

that  the  procession  could  pass  through.  The  cannon  again  belched  forth,  and  the  bells  of 
the  town  added  to  the  enthusiasm.  The  scene  along  the  whole  of  Third  street  to  the 
Square  was  most  imposing.  The  waving  of  handkerchiefs  from  the  crowds  on  the  streets, 
and  by  the  ladies  from  the  windows  of  the  houses  along  the  route,  and  the  loud  huzzas  of 
manv  hundred  voices,  were  well  calculated  to  cheer  the  hearts  of  the  brave  soldiers.  The 
throng  increased  as  the  procession  made  its  way  along  the  designated  route,  which  occu- 
pied one  hour.  Nearly  every  house,  by  flag,  banner  or  evergreen,  made  a  display.  A 
notice  of  all  the  decorations  would  be  impossible.  A  beautiful  arch  of  evergreen  was 
erecfted  on  Second  street,  in  front  of  the  Public  School  buildings  by  the  teachers  of  Bush- 
kill  ward.  It  was  of  double  formation,  extending  across  the  street,  and  between  the  two 
bows  was  the  motto  in  large  letters,  'Welcome  Home,  Br.we  129TH.'  Each  letter  was 
about  a  foot  in  height  and  surrounded  by  a  wreath  of  evergreen.  Other  mottos  adorned 
other  parts  of  the  arch,  and  the  whole  presented  a  most  beautiful  sight.  The  companies 
of  the  129th  halted  at  the  arch,  and  before  passing  under  gave  three  hearty  cheers.  Manx- 
private  residences,  stores  and  public  buildings  were  handsomely  decorated,  and  patriotic 
mottos  abounded  on  all  sides.  The  national  flag  was  hung  across  the  streets  in  great  pro- 
fusion and  floated  above  the  hotels. 

"  The  procession  passed  through  the  principal  streets  and  halted  in  the  Square,  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  which  a  stage  had  been  erecfted.  The  volunteers  were  drawn  up  in 
solid  column  before  it,  and  the  orator  of  the  day,  Edgar  F.  Randolph,  was  introduced  by 
Hon.  A.  H.  Reeder.     In  the  course  of  his  eloquent  address  are  the  following  remarks  : 

"  'For  these  virtues  and  services,  heroes  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and 
other  familiar  fields,  let  me  again  greet  you  with  a  hearty  welcome.  The  pen  of  the  his- 
torian will  indeed  portray  in  living  colors  your  deeds  of  daring  and  high  emprise,  but  in 
this  venerable  borough  you  will  find  your  most  faithful  chroniclers  ;  for  ever}'  citizen  will 
have  your  names  graven  as  with  a  diamond  on  the  tablet  of  his  heart.  Anxiously  have 
we  watched  your  career  since  you  left  your  homes.  From  press,  and  letter,  and  telegram, 
we  have  learned  the  story  of  your  military  life.  We  have  read  your  record  upon  the 
field,  and  proud  am  I  to  declare  that  you  have  fully  justified  our  highest  estimate  of  your 
honor  and  courage.  If  you  have  not  always  won  success,  you  have  invariably  deserved 
it.  And  while  I  desire  not  to  be  invidious  where  all  have  so  nobly  acquitted  themselves 
as  to  elicit  encomiums  from  highh-  intelligent  witnesses  of  the  field,  I  trust  I  will  be  per- 
mitted to  remark,  that  the  troops  whose  annals  are  illustrated  by  the  leadership  of  a  Frick 
and  an  Armstrong,  and  whose  colors  are  defended  by  a  Bower  and  a  Miller,  are  to  be 
envied  in  their  good  fortune.  Invidious  did  I  say.  No,  I  will  not  so  wound  you.  These 
men  are  dear  to  you — their  fame  is  your  fame,  their  honor  your  honor. 

"  '  But  in  the  jo>-  of  receiving  the  living,  let  us  not  forget  the  lamented  dead.  There 
are  before  me  representatives,  not  only  of  the  129th  regiment,  but  gallant  representatives 
of  other  regiments  of  the  Keystone,  State,  familiar  to  you  all.  And  there  is  aboi-c  me,  in 
that  spirit  land,  whence  no  soldier  will  ever  return  to  earth,  and  where  no  bugle  call  will 
ever  reach  his  ear,  many  a  noble  soul  who  laid  himself  a  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  his 
country  that  she  might  live. 

"  'These  streets  now  thronged  with  a  concourse  of  joyful  people,  have  witnessed  far 
different  scenes  during  the  progress  of  this  horrid  rebellion.  *  *  *  See  the  gloomy 
catafalque,  deeply  shrouded,  while  through  its  dim  portals  may  be  discerned  our  sacred 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


261 


flag,  embracing  within  its  glorious  folds  the  earthly  remains  of  a  Bell,  a  Miller,  or  a 
Buckley,  or  of  some  other  noble  spirit  who  has  fought  his  last  fight.  Slowly  and  sadly 
we  followhim  to  the  cemetery.  Our  work  is  done.  God  bless  our  heroes.  *  *  *  Again, 
soldiers  of  the  nation,  we  offer  you  a  hearty  welcome.' 

"To  this  address  an  able  reply  was  made  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Armstrong  of  the 
129th.  It  was  brief,  but  impressive,  and  the  loud  cheers  that  followed  it  indicated  the 
great  esteem  which  the  people  have  for  this  patriotic  man. 

"  Here  the  line  was  re-formed  and  marched  to  Masonic  Hall,  where  a  grand  collation 
had  been  prepared  by  the  citizens  under  the  superintendence  of  the  committee,  and  the 
ladies  of  the  Union  Aid  Society.  On  reaching  the  hall  the  committee  opened  ranks,  and 
led  by  the  marshal,  the  brave  boys  entered  the  hall,  which  was  beautifully  decorated  for 

the  occasion. 

"Tables  that  reached  the  entire  length  of 
the  hall  were  loaded  with  every  luxury,  and 
conveniences  were  afforded  for  the  entire  con- 
course. Ladies  were  in  attendance,  especially 
those  of  the  Union  Aid  Society.  Governor  Reeder 
presided.  When  the  companies  had  surrounded 
the  tables,  and  had  uncovered,  he  arose  and  in  elo- 
quent and  touching  remarks,  on  behalf  of  the 
committee  of  ladies,  bid  the  soldiers  welcome. 
His  speech  was  full  of  patriotic  feeling,  and  was 
listened  to  with  deep  interest.  Governor  Reeder 
then  introduced  S.  L.  Cooley,  Esq.,  who  read  a 
beautiful  and  touching  poem  written  for  the  occa- 
sion. It  was  received  with  applause,  but  in  the 
eyes  of  some  we  saw  starting  tears  for  the  mem- 
ory of  those  who  had  fallen. 

"The  dinner  was  a  splendid  one,  and  was 
enjoyed  to  the  utmost,  and  the  ladies  of  the  asso- 
ciation, and  of  the  borough  generally,  deserve 
great  credit  for  the  manner  in  which  the  hall  was 
decorated  and  the  tables  spread.  The  south  end 
of  the  hall  was  decorated  with  the  cards  contain- 
ing the  names  of 'Frick,'  'Armstrong,'  'Anthony,' 
and  'Green,'  of  the  field  officers  and  adjutant, 
respe6lively  of  the  regiment.  On  the  east  side 
of  the  hall  were  the  following  inscriptions  set  in 
tasteful  decorations  : 

'  Nothing  could  have  been  more  glorious  than 
the  charge  of  Humphreys'  Division. — General 
Hooker. ' 

'So  long  as  God  gives  me  strength,  a  cartridge,  or  a  fixed  bayonet,  I'll  do  my  duty. — 
Private  of  the  i2gth.^ 


FREDERICKSBURG, 

Dec.   13th,   1862. 


129a 


D    Pa.   F 


CHANCELL0R8VILLE, 

May  3d,  1863. 


262 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


very  proud  of  them.' 


'  Easton  has  cause  to  be  very  proud  of  her  soldiers,  and  she 
'  We  all  stand  by  the  army.' 

"Officers  and  men  were  greatly  pleased  with  the  reception.  All  our  citizens  took 
part  in  it,  and  the  greetings  from  all,  irrespedtive  of  party,  showed  that  every  citizen  wel- 
comed them  home.  It  was  a  general  celebration.  The  festivities  of  the  day  closed  by  a 
display  of  fireworks  and  firing  of  rockets.  Thus  ended  the  'Welcome  Home'  of  the  gal- 
lant 129th.  Long  may  they  live  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  well-earned  honor,  and  re- 
count to  their  descendants  the  part  they  took  in  the  great  battles  for  the  Union." 

We  print  an  engraving  of  the  badge  designed  by  the  committee  for  this  reception,  and 
worn  generally  on  the  occasion.  Other  appropriate  badges  were  also  worn.  In  the  hearti- 
ness of  the  welcome,  and  completeness 
of  the  arrangements,  and  general  char- 
acter of  the  reception,  the  day  was  a 
memorable  one  in  the  annals  of  Easton. 
ladies'  aid  societies. 
While  the  men  of  Easton  were  vol- 
unteering for  the  field  the  various 
Ladies'  Aid  Societies  met  regularly 
every  week  to  prepare  and  forward  such 
articles  as  were  needed  for  the  sick  and 
the  wounded.  Some  of  these  societies 
were  organized  in  the  different  church 
congregations  of  the  borough  early  in 
1861,  and  rendered  most  efficient  service. 
The  contributions  of  one  that  was  con- 
nedled  with  one  of  the  least  of  the 
churches,  the  Reformed  Dutch,  amounted 
at  date  of  November,  1862,  to  upwards 
of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  money  and 
articles.  The  others  were  equally  lib- 
eral, and  the  hardships  of  adlive  cam- 
paigning were  thus  materially  light- 
ened. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  names 
of  the  ladies  who  provided  this  comfort 
for  soldiers  in  the  field,  and  picked 
lint  for  those  who  were  wounded,  while  they  exchanged  notes  of  victories  won  or  perils 
dreaded,  in  their  pleasant  social  circles,  cannot  be  fully  obtained.  Our  older  citi- 
zens readily  recall  Mrs.  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  President  of  the  Easton  Sanitary  Aid  Society, 
Mrs.  Josiah  P.  Hetrich,  President  of  the  Easton  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  Mrs.  James  Thomp- 
son, Mrs.  Isaac  C.  WykofT,  Mrs.  Traill  Green,  Mrs.  John  T.  Knight,  Mrs.  Frederick  W. 
Noble,  Mrs.  John  Eyerman,  Mrs.  M.  Hale  Jones,  Mrs.  Henry  Green,  Mrs.  Washington 
McCartney  and  many  others.  Where  all  were  so  worthy,  to  name  any  may  seem  invid- 
ious. Their  good  work  relieved  many  a  weary  march  and  lonely  picket  hour,  and  has  left  a 
jileasant  memory  with  the  soldiers  and  a  sacred  example  to  the  daughters  of  tlie  republic. 


Mrs.  Am>k 
President  of  E.i; 


Society. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


263 


'amber 


THE   citizens'   aid  SOCIETIES. 

These  organizations,  dating  from  the  first  great  war  meeting,  continued  their  work  of 
relief  to  the  volunteers,  with  untiring  zeal.  Notably  was  this  the  case  after  the  great 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13,  1862.  The  roar  of  the  cannon  had  hardly  died  away 
before  the  committee  of  citizens  sent  from  Easton  to  the  Army  of  the  Rappahannock,  was 
there  with  boxes  of  eatables  and  bundles  of  clothing,  aggregating  in  weight  about  two 
tons.  These  supplies  were  of  great  solace  to  the  wounded  and  fever-stricken  of  the  hos- 
pitals, and  their  bearers  were  amply  repaid  for  the  luxuries  added  to  army  rations,  by 
sight  of  the  perfe6l  look  of  content  with  which  the  bronzed  men  enjoyed  the  whiff  of  their 
"sublime  tobacco,  glorious  in  a  pipe,"  an  army  pipe  at  that,  never  dreaming  of 
tip,"  or  "naked  beauty"  of  a  cigar. 

These  "ministering  angels"  in  the 
spirit  of  true  charity,  were  more  zealous 
in  rendering  aid  than  in  preserving  rec- 
ords of  their  kindness.  Beyond  frequent 
notices  of  the  departure  of  some  one  for 
the  front,  who  would  take  with  him 
packages  for  the  soldiers,  we  find  no 
reference  to  their  work.  Old  soldiers, 
however,  will  remember  their  visits, 
usually  after  some  great  army  move- 
ment, and  their  Santa  Clans  appear- 
ance, laden  with  bundles  of  clothing 
and  boxes  of  eatables,  as  they  entered 
camp,  and  their  protuberant  pockets,  as 
they  left,  stuffed  with  the  army  mail. 
Wm.  Thatcher,  R.  C.  Pyle,  R.  S.  Bell, 
B.  F.  Riegel,  C.  Ed.  Hecht,  H.  Ham- 
mann,  S.  Stonebach  and  Wm.  H.  Bix- 
ler  were  frequent  visitors. 

REBEL  invasion  OF  1863. 
Again  Pennsylvania  was  threat- 
ened, and  again  the  citizens  of  Easton 
with  like  ready  response  to  the  procla- 
mation of  the  Governor,  issued  on 
Monday,  June  15th,  1883,  for  fifty 
thousand  men,  met  in  general  mass  meeting  in  front  of  the  county  house,  in  the  southeast 
corner  of  Centre  Square,  on  the  evening  of  that  day.  Hon.  A.  H.  Reeder  spoke  and  Judge 
Maxwell  read  the  proclamations  of  the  President  and  Governor,  and  several  telegrams,  and, 
as  at  previous  meetings,  committees  were  appointed  to  obtain  men  for  the  six  months' 
term  of  service,  and  thereby  procure  proportionate  credit  upon  the  impending  draft.  Vol- 
unteering was  spontaneous,  and  the  company  lists  given  below,  show  how  fully  all  classes 
were  represented.  The  volunteers  were  ready  to  leave  in  a  few  hours,  and  the  greater 
portion  became  part  of  what  was  known  as  the  Iron  Regiment,  38th  Penna.  Militia.     In 


Mrs.  Josiah  P.  Hetrich, 
President  of  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 


264 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


its  ranks  were  manv  who  had  seen  service  in  other  organizations  and  many  prominent 
business  men.  They  performed  duty  for  which  it  would  have  been  necessary  to  draw  upon 
troops  in  the  front  but  for  their  prompt  enrolment.  Its  staff  and  company  rolls,  so  far  as 
they  relate  to  Easton  volunteers,  are  copied  from  Bates'  Histor}-  P.  V. 

Colonel — ]\Ielchoir  H.  Horn. 

Lieutenant  GVo;/£-/— William  H.  Thompson. 

Major — Thomas  L.  McKeen. 

Adjutant — William  Mutchler. 


COMP.-\XY  c. 


Ca/>/a/«— Joseph  P.  Cotton. 
First  Lifii/eitait/^Charles  F.  Chidsey. 
Second  Lieutenant — Thomas  M.  Andrews. 
First  Sergeant — Joshua  R.  Bercaw. 
Sergeants — William  T.  Rundio, 

"  John  H.  Heckman, 

"  George  G.  Rambo, 

••    .        Jacob  C.  Mixsell, 

Silas  Hulshizer,  pr.  to  Sgt.  Maj.,  July  3, '63. 


Corpo 


■aA— John  .\.  lunes, 
John  H.  Yohe, 
James  W.  Wood, 
William  J.  Biery, 
Xicodemus  Wilson, 
Jacob  Sandt, 
James  A.  Petrie, 
Benjamin  A.  Loder. 
ian — Joseph  B.  Campbell. 


Jacob  August, 
Henr\-  Bercaw, 
William  Biery, 
James  B.  Bruner, 
George  Bachman, 
Henry  L.  Bunstein, 
Franklin  Bower, 
Tilghman  Brish, 
Alfred  B.  Black, 
John  W.  Campbell, 
Erwin  Eckert, 
James  J.  Edmonds, 
Jonathan  Fly, 
Jacob  Gary, 
John  B.  Grier, 
Charles  D.  Horn, 
Andrew  Hoffman, 
William  Hoffman, 
Charles  Hyde, 


PRIVATES. 

John  W.  Horn, 
William  Houser, 
William  Hopkins, 
William  H.  Horn, 
Da^-id  Kelso, 
John  Kiffle, 
Jacob  Kramer, 
Charles  C.  Keller, 
John  W.  Keeler, 
Simon  H.  Kester, 
Alfred  Lynn, 
David  K.  Messinger, 
James  E.  Middaugh, 
Isaac  S.  Moser, 
George  H.  Miunick, 
John  Morghen, 
Isaac  Pixley, 
Jacob  Person, 
Da\'id  M.  Plumlev, 


Charles  R.  Phillips, 
Isaac  Riley, 
John  Riley, 
William  H.  Stultz, 
James  H.  Stites, 
Thomas  J.  Shields, 
William  F.  Small, 
Thomas  F.  Shipe, 
Frank  Schlabach, 
William  H.  Sigman, 
Francis  Sigman, 
Samuel  C.  Seiple, 
Jacob  S.  Wilson, 
William  Walton, 
Jacob  Welser, 
Erwin  C.  Wickhoff, 
Jacob  W.  Weaver, 
Thomas  Yelverton. 


COMPANY  D. 

Gz//«/«i— Wm.  H.  Thompson,  pr,  toLt.  Col.,  July  3,  '63, 

"  Jacob  Hay. 

First  Lieutenant — Isaac  Fine,  Jr. 
Second  Lieutenant— YloviarA  R.  Hetrich. 
First  Sergeant— 'VfWWa.va  H.  Weaver. 
Sergeants — Samuel  D.  Crawford, 

"  Adam  A.  Lehn, 

"  James  S.  Sigman, 

William  H.  Unangst. 
Corporats — Charles  M.  Ludwig. 


Corporals— ^ras\.  W.  Snyder, 
William  Miller, 
"  Lafayette  Sox, 

"  Daniel  Conklin, 

"  Augustus  S.  Templin, 

"  Jacob  Burt, 

Theodosius  S.  M'Leod. 
Musicians— hhtahHiXa  Fowler, 
"  James  Mc'Gowan. 


EASTON,    PENN'A. 


265 


James  F.  R.  Appleby, 

Jeremiah  Anglenieyer, 

George  H.  Bender, 

John  D.  Bowers, 

William  Q.  Brotzman, 

William  D.  Brown, 

Rush  H.  Bixler, 

William  H.  Butz, 

Edward  D.  Bleckley, 

William  Brinker, 

Edward  Butz, 

John  Bush, 

Robert  Cottingham,  Jr., 

Charles  T.  Cole, 

Charles  Deshler, 

James  Deshler, 

Lewis  C.  Drake, 

George  Drinkhouse, 

James  Donnelly, 

Valentine  Diley, 

James  Frounfelder, 

COMPANY  E. 
Ta/i/fljn— Edward  Kelly. 
First  Lieutenant — George  G.  Hutman. 
Second  IJeutenanl—] ames  Tarrent,  (Discharged.) 

Charles  B.  Zulick. 
First  Sergeant— }ohn  Wilson. 
Sergeants — Patrick  Shine. 
"  Ephraim  Steiner. 

"  Robert  Arnold. 


PRIVATES. 
Owen  Garis, 
John  A.  Gerhart, 
Stephen  Hines, 
Alvin  Harris, 
Andrew  J.  Hay, 
James  Hacket, 
Isaac  P.  Hand, 
Charles  Hemmingway, 
William  Houck, 
Joseph  L.  Hance, 
C.  Edward  Ihling, 
Evan  Knecht, 
Edward  Keller, 
Thomas  J.  Kolb, 
Amos  Kunsman, 
Francis  King, 
Stephen  Laubach, 
Charles  W.  Meeker, 
John  Z.  Moyer, 
Reuben  Moyer, 


John  Bittenbender, 
Anthony  Brauer, 
Patrick  Boyle, 
William  H.Cornell, 
John  Cummiskey, 
Alexander  Colbathe, 
Edward  Demsey, 
Timothy  Dawes, 
Jacob  Dean, 
John  Donnovan, 
Frederick  Fry, 
Allen  Ginginger, 
Stephen  Gross, 
Jacob  Hartzell, 


Captains — Thomas  L.  McKeen,  (pr.  tc 

Henry  Huber. 
First  Lieutenant — William  H.  Kline. 
Second  Lieutenant— WMiam  N.  Scott. 
First  Sergeant — Samuel  Laird. 
Sergeants — John  Murray. 

"  Daniel  Laubach. 

"  Samuel  Cortright. 

"  Alexander  E.  Robinson. 

Corporals — William  H.  Ormrod. 


PRIVATES. 
Hiram  Hackman, 
Luther  Horn, 
George  W.  Horn, 
John  Herman, 
George  Johnson, 
John  King, 
Jacob  Knobloch, 
Peter  Kelchner, 
Franklin  Ludwig, 
Edward  Lewis, 
John  May, 
Hugh  E.  Major, 
Daniel  Medler, 


COMPANY  F. 

Maj.,July3,  '63.) 


John  Menaul, 
Charles  B.  Notson, 
John  F,  Opdycke, 
Alfred  P.  Reid, 
Samuel  Rader, 
Edward  Snyder, 
Clement  Stewart, 
Henry  B.  Semple, 
John  M.  Seales, 
Samuel  Sigman, 
Henry  N.  Schultz, 
Emelius  S.  C.  Schmidt, 
John  Shaffer, 
Augustus  L.  Steuben, 
Joseph  Vanorman, 
Henry  W.  Wilking, 
Thomas  J.  Weaver, 
Theodore  F.  Woodring, 
Henry  C.  Wagner, 
George  Wolf. 


Sergeants— Joseph  Snyder. 

Corporals — Joseph  Savitz. 

"  Jacob  Arnold. 

William  Shick. 

"  William  Osmun. 

"  Daniel  Black. 

Musicians— WtU'iam  Major. 

"  John  Schooley. 


John  Noe, 
John  Pittenger, 
Richard  Person, 
William  Randolph, 
George  Smith, 
Charles  Smith, 
George  Sweeney, 
Josiah  Woolbach, 
William  Wright, 
George  Walsh, 
James  Whitesell, 
William  Wheeler, 
Charles  H.  Woerhrle 


Corporals— AUin  J.  Hufford. 
John  Wolfram. 
"  Herman  A.  Pohl. 

Henry  W.  Wilhelm. 
Samuel  Arndt. 
William  Elliott. 
Franklin  L.  Terry. 
Musicians — Emanuel  Wilhelm. 
Thomas  A.  Martin. 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


William  C.  Aten, 
Labourn  Aldridge, 
John  Billings, 
Lewis  Bloss, 
Reuben  Briesh, 
Thomas  Boyce, 
Hiram  Buss, 
Thomas  Buss, 
Henry  Bachman. 
Henry  Basset. 
Israel  Briggs, 
Samuel  Cosner, 
William  Cheston, 
John  Clark. 
John  Cheston, 
Samuel  Chamberlain, 
Andrew  Dietz, 
James  Duncan, 
Joseph  Dodd, 
James  Dereemer. 
Samuel  Dull, 
Andrew  Elliott, 
Henry  Freyberger, 
Henry  Foster, 
Augustus  Goelity, 


Ca/i/ain— William  Otto. 

First  Lieutenants — William  Mutchler  (pr 

William  F.  Schatz. 
Second  Lieutenant — William  H.  Ginnard. 
First  Sergeajit — Charles  Eichman. 
Sergeants — Levine  F.  Leibfried. 
"  Reuben  Schlabach. 

Obadiah  Huebner. 
"  Joseph  A,  Ginnard. 


PRIVATES. 
Joseph  Goodear, 
Ale.xander  Gillian, 
William  Galloway, 
George  Hubbard, 
Thomas  Hanlln, 
William  Hampton, 
Job  Henry, 
William  Hyle, 
George  Hartzell. 
Nicholas  Hartcorn, 
Augustus  G.  Ibach, 
John  Koch, 
Peter  Kleckner, 
John  Kemery, 
Josiah  Kohl, 
George  F.  Kimball. 
Wilson  Lesher, 
John  Miller, 
Charles  Menninger, 
Frederick  Mayer, 
John  M'Kelvey, 
Amos  M'Niel, 
Thomas  M'Laughlin, 
Andrew  M'Laughlin, 
John  Price, 

COMPANY  G. 

toAdj't,July3,'63.>. 


Stewart  Altamus, 
George  Brinker, 
Jacob  Bower, 
George  H.  Beam, 
Howard  Bowers, 
John  Berkey, 
Daniel  Butler, 
Joseph  Brinker, 
Richard  Beitel, 
Leonard  Breidinger, 
William  A.  Conahay, 
Richard  Clewell, 
George  Davenport, 
Charles  W.  Dickson, 
William  Denning, 
Charles  Dittler, 
John  Dewalt, 
Christian  Dittler, 
Joseph  Flad, 
Tilghman  Fehr, 
William  H.  Fehr. 
Alfred  Frey. 


PRIVATES. 
Franklin  T.  Grube, 
Albert  H.  Good, 
Jeremiah  Hellick. 
Jacob  Hensler, 
Christian  Hartman, 
Reuben  Hines, 
Lewis  H.  Hamman, 
Jacob  Keiper,  Jr,, 
John   L.  Keiper, 
Henry  Keiper, 
William  F.  Keller, 
Jonas  F.  Kindt, 
Jacob  Kratzer, 
Henry  Leidy, 
John  Leidich, 
Elias  B.  Lynn, 
James  Mutchler, 
Charles  Medler, 
Traill  T.  Nungesser, 
George  B.  Nace, 
Jo.seph  J.  Ochs, 
Ednunid  A.  Oerter, 


Josiah  Poe, 
Martin  Pohl, 
William  Pendegrast, 
John  B.  Roberts, 
Joseph  Rupell, 
Charles  V.  B.  Rinker 
John  Rice, 
Charles  Saylor, 
Joseph  Siles, 
Adam  Styers, 
Emanuel  R    Shilling, 
Oscar  A.  Singer, 
Harman  F.  Shuler, 
Thomas  Shannon, 
Andrew  Tsnir, 
Stephen  Taggart, 
George  Vanscoter, 
John  Vogle, 
John  Wilhelm, 
William  Wolfram, 
David  Weber, 
William  Waltman, 
John  Weiss, 
John  R.  Young, 
John  Young. 


Corporals — John  Hensler. 
George  Arm. 
"  Rudolph  Babp. 

"  Jeremiah  Dietrich. 

"  George  Hensler. 

William  Steckle. 
"  George  W.  Wagoner 

William  L.  Ricker. 
Musician — William  Barnes. 


John  Percival. 
Jacob  Plattenberger, 
John  Rupp, 
Jonas  Reeser. 
Robert  Rollan, 
Samuel  Reese, 
William  Snyder, 
Edward  Smith, 
Neander  D.  Siegfried, 
John  H.  Santee, 
Edwin  Siegfrid, 
William  H.  Thomas, 
John  Wolle, 
Clemens  Weisenbach. 
Reuben  Willour, 
Edwin  Werner, 
William   H.  Werner, 
Joseph  Weiner. 
Jonathan  Xander, 
John  P.  Young, 
Theophilus  J.  Zorn. 


EAST  ON,    PENN' 


COMPANY    H. 


267 


Ca/i/ajn— Christian  Kroehl. 
Firsl  Lieutenant — David  Bless. 
Second  Lieutenant— James  M'Gloin. 
J^irst  Sergeant— ]o\\n  P.  Hay. 
Sergeants— SamueX  Bruch. 

"  Edward  Troxell. 

"  Levinus  Transue. 

"  Jonathan  J.  Carey. 

Corporal — Lewis  Eckert. 


Thomas  Bauer, 
Charles  A.  Barron, 
Adam  Bacher, 
Andrew  J.  Bonstein, 
Felix  Bachman, 
Daniel  S.  Crawford, 
Samuel  Dutt, 
Benjamin  Delp, 
Cyrus  Flory, 
Martin  Faulstich, 
Jacob  Goether, 
Sith  Crawford, 
John  Garis, 
Daniel  Hertzog, 
William  Helwick, 
John  Hensler, 
George  H.  Hare, 


Captain — Augustus  F.  Heller. 
First  Lieutenant — Daniel  Phillippe. 
Second  Lieutenant— Ti\ghman  Brong. 
First  Sergeant — Henry  L.  Arndt. 
Sergeants — Adam  H.  Lane. 

"  Samuel  Stem. 

"  Burton  Burrell. 

"  Solon  Phillippe. 

Corporals— John  H.  Richards. 


PRIVATES. 
David  W.  Huber, 
Michael  Herther, 
Jacob  L.  Hay, 
Meising  Kutzler, 
Joseph  Kobb, 
Edward  B.  Leibensperger, 
William  Leibensperger, 
Charles  Miller, 
George  Miller, 
John  Miller. 
John  Moutz, 
Adam  Ruff, 
Thomas  Rothrock, 
Joseph  Reese, 
John  Straub, 
Edwin  Sandt, 


2ls — Charles  Knapp. 

Daniel  Hunt. 

George  W.  Barron. 

Frederick  Tacke. 

Patrick  Kaegan. 

Henry  Froelich. 

Nicholas  Lingeman. 
ms — Franklin  Leidy. 

Jacob  Bitzer. 


Adam  Schickley, 
Jacob  Shickley, 
Frederick  Steckley, 
Edward  Smith, 
Charles  Stump, 
Patrick  Swany, 
Frederick  Troxell, 
Richard  Templin, 
Jesse  Walter, 
Joseph  Walter, 
Levi  Wagner, 
John  Woolbach, 
William  E.  Well, 
Solomon  Walter, 
Charles  Yonson, 
William  Yutz. 


COMPANY  K. 


Corporals — Valentine  Vannornian. 
George  E.  Sciple. 
"  Andrew  J.  Knauss. 

William  Richard. 

"  Martin  Kichline. 

Peter  Campbell. 

Jacob  Bryson. 

Musicians— PhWip  Bruch. 

"  Edward  Barnet. 


PRIVATES. 

William  Brady,  Robert  E.  Godshalk,  Leander  Roberts, 

John  I.  Bell,  William  P.  Gould,  Edward  Roseberry, 

Peter  H.  Barnes,  Peter  Gorman,  Edward  Ricker, 

Thomas  Bishop,  John  Grotz,  James  Raub, 

Nelson  Bishop,  Henry  Heller,  William  Raub, 

George  H.  Barron,  Edward  Heckman,  Robert  Roling, 

John  H.  Bruch,  William  Heckman,  John  H.  Schwab, 

Henry  C.  Barnet,  Alfred  Hart,  Roseberry  Seip, 

George  H.  Barnet,  Charles  A.  Hilburn,  John  H.  Seiple. 

Francis  Buck,  Wesley  Howell,  John  Sloan, 

Charles  Barnet,  William  H.  Hartzell,  William  B.  Titus, 

William  Bercaw,  Edward  Jones,  William  Trin, 

John  Barnet,  William  Kressler,  Samuel  Unangst, 

William  H.  Drake,  Peter  Mulhatan,  George  Worman, 

Alpheus  Frey,  Alexander  Reichard,  Charles  W.  Weber, 

Edward  Frey,  Oscar  Rohn,  Robert  Youells, 

Joseph  Green,  Thomas  J.  Roberts,  Joseph  Young. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  into  service  July  3,  1863,  and  discharged  August  7,  1863. 


268 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


TWENTY-SFA'ENTH    REGIMENT   EMERGENCY    TROOPS. 

Easton  was  also  represented  in  the  Twenty-seventh  Regiment  Penna.  Emergency 
Troops,  mustered  into  service  June  19,  1863,  and  discharged  July  30  and  August  i,  1863. 
Major,  George  L.  Fried. 

COMPANY  D. 
Captain — Joseph  Oliver. 
First  Lieutenant —k\\\n  Meeker. 
First  Sergeant — Joseph  S.  Osterstock. 
Sergeants — Adam  Ward. 

William  Ginkinger. 
Edward  Alsfelt. 

PRIVATES. 


Joseph  B.  W.  Adams, 
William  Andrews, 
James  O.  Barnet, 
Thomas  Bullman, 
Samuel  V.  Bonstein, 
Benjamin  Bruuner, 
John  F.  Buttner, 
William  H.  Correll, 
Henry  Coburn, 
Charles  W.  Cole, 
John  J.  Decker, 
Matthew  Donahue, 
Joseph  Heudricson, 
Bathauser  Hefter, 


Sergeants — Thomas  Malcolm. 
Cor/>ora/.y— Sidney  L.  Uhler. 
"  Frederick  Bomman. 

William  H.  Wolverton. 
Simon  H.  Frock. 
Musician — George  F.  Willauer. 


Edward  Harrison, 
Calvin  Horn, 
Oliver  Hogarth, 
Warren  H.  Joline, 
William  Lehn, 
John  M.  Lewis, 
George  Lox, 
Charles  Lewis, 
John  Miller, 
William  Moore, 
William  M'Fadden, 
William  L.  Nicholas, 
Port  Nicholas, 


Henry  C.  Newman, 
William  Otto, 
Robert  Patterson, 
William  Roseberry, 
Charles  Sigman, 
Peter  S  Snyder, 
Samuel  H.  Slifer, 
Valentine  Smith, 
James  Todd, 
Arthur  Troxsell, 
Jacob  N.  Thatcher, 
George  Wolf, 
Walter  L.  Wycoff. 


These  troops  performed  valuable  service  in  strengthening  the  borders  of  the  State, 
and  assuring  confidence  not  only  to  the  armies  in  the  immediate  front  of  the  enemy,  but 
to  all  loyal  citizens  throughout  the  country-. 

The  Twenty-seventh  Emergency,  commanded  by  Col.  Jacob  G.  Frick,  late  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Penna.  Vols.,  guarded  the  line  of  the  Susquehanna 
against  the  rebel  advance.  On  June  28,  at  Wrightsville,  he  was  attacked  in  force  by  the 
rebel  General  Early.  His  skirmishers  were  driven  in  and  the  rebel  artillery  posted  in 
commanding  positions,  opened  fire.  Without  artillery,  he  was  at  the  mercy  of  the  foe 
bent  upon  the  capture  of  the  Columbia  bridge.  Still  he  stubbornly  held  his  ground,  until 
outnumbered,  outflanked  and  likely  to  be  captured  he  ordered  his  small  force,  the  Twenty- 
seventh  Penna.  Vols.,  to  retire  across  the  bridge.  When  its  possession  by  the  rebels  became 
inevitable,  the  bridge,  in  accordance  with  previous  instructions,  was  fired.  In  the  skir- 
mish before  the  withdrawal  of  the  regiment  nine  men  were  wounded. 

The  Thirty-eighth  Militia  after  service  in  the  neighborhood  of  Greencastle,  near  the 
Maryland  line,  was  ordered  to  Pottsville  and  other  points  in  the  anthracite  coal  fields  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  were  employed  in  enforcing  authority. 

Many  of  these  men  had  been  in  service  before.  Their  presence  gave  great  moral  sup- 
port to  the  Union  army,  and  it  has  been  well  said,  that  had  that  army  been  defeated  at 
Gettysburg,  they  would  have  taken  the  places  of  the  fallen,  and  would  have  fought  with 
a  valor  and  desperation  worthy  of  veterans. 


E ASTON,  PENN'A. 


269 


Northampton  Welcomes  Her  Brave  Sons. 


RECEPTION   OF   THE    153D   REGIMENT   PENNA.  VOLUNTEERS. 
The  committee,  of  which  Hon.  Philip  Johnson  was  chairman,  consisting  of  two  or 
more  from  each  borough  and  township,  appointed  at  a  county  meeting  called  in  June,  1863, 

met  at  Easton  on  the  third  day  of  July,  and  made 
preliminary  arrangements,  and  adopted  a  pro- 
gramme of  reception.  As  the  regiment  repre- 
sented all  parts  of  the  county  the  interest  was 
proportionate,  and  old  Northampton  was  thor- 
oughly aroused  by  the  welcome  to  be  given  to  the 
command  so  peculiarly  her  own.  Its  service  had 
been  watched  by  the  people  of  the  county  with 
intense  interest.  The  individual  fortunes  of  its 
members  had  been  closely  followed  in  town  and 
country,  at  firesides  nestled  in  the  spurs  of  South 
Mountain  or  at  the  base  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  and 
in  the  fertile  valleys  between.  As  will  be  seen 
by  the  resume  of  its  history,  gathered  mainly  from 
Bates'  History  ofthePenna.  Volunteers,  its  friends 
during  its  career  had  no  lack  of  varied  and  exci- 
ting news. 

After  muster-in  the  regiment  under  command 
of  the  regimental  officers  already  named,  proceeded 
to  Washington  on  October  12,  where,  after  a  so- 
journ of  a  few  days  at  the  Capital,  it  was  ordered 
to  join  the  Eleventh  Corps,  then  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Gainesville,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
First  Brigade,  First  Division.  On  Sunday,  No- 
vember 9,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  Aldie,  and 
remained  there  confronting  the  enemy  until  No- 
vember 18,  when  it  moved  to  Chantilly.  On  De- 
cember 9th  it  was  hurried  forward  by  a  most  ex- 
hausting march  to  Stafford  Court  House,  where 
it  arrived  December  16,  the  great  Fredericksburg 
disaster  of  December  13  having  meanwhile  oc- 
curred. Here  in  picket  and  guard  duty  time 
passed  until  January  20,  1863,  when  it  took  part  in 
the  Mud  March,  and  then  settled  into  winter  quar- 
ters near  Potomac  Creek  bridge.  Considerable 
sickness  prevailed  during  the  winter  and  some 
died,  and  others  were  permanently  disabled. 


We  hail  the  heroes'  safe  return 
To  home  and  friends  again, 
And  mourn  with  tears  of  sympathy 
The  gallant  patriots  slain. 


FORM  OF  RECEPTION  I 


CHANCELLORSVILLE. 
The  regiment  was  early  astir  on  April  27,  and  on  April  30  at  4  p.  m.  arrived  on  the 
Chancellorsville  battleground,  and  after  a  quiet  night's  rest,  and  some  movement  during 


270  THE  HISTORY  OF 

May  I  to  threatened  points,  it  was  stationed  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  of  the  army 
more  as  a  close  skirmish  line  than  as  a  regular  line  of  battle.  While  in  this  position,  its 
men  standing  at  ease,  it  was  the  first  regiment  to  receive  what  proved  to  be  the  last  mas- 
terly flank  attack  of  Stonewall  Jackson  in  massed  columns.  This  was  its  first  experience 
in  battle,  but  it  delivered  a  deadly  volley,  and  then  overpowered  in  front  and  upon  both 
flanks,  broke  to  the  rear,  and  with  the  fragments  of  the  brigade  retired  rapidly  until  it 
could  reform  on  open  ground  to  the  west  of  Chancellorsville.  Before  the  swooping  charge 
of  Jackson's  heavy  columns,  formed  as  they  were,  they  could  not  but  be  scattered  as  straws 
before  a  whirlwind.  The  regimental  loss  was  heavy.  Colonel  Glanz  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Dachrodt*  wounded.  IMajor  Frueauff,  relieved  at  his  request  from 
staff  duty,  assumed  command.  In  skirmish  line  the  regiment  was  thrown  out  to  meet  the 
advancing  enemy  the  next  morning.  Musketry  and  artillery  firing  continued  throughout 
the  day,  but  the  brigade  held  its  position  until  the  night  of  May  5,  when  it  withdrew  with 
the  army  and  returned  to  its  camp  at  Potomac  creek  bridge.  The  regiment  lost  in  the 
entire  battle  nineteen  men  killed,  three  officers  and  fifty-three  men  wounded,  and  thirty- 
three  prisoners.  Of  these  Col.  Glanz,  captured,  Lieut.  Col.  Dachrodt,  wounded,  Major 
Frueauff,  wounded  ;  Privates  David  Abel,  Joseph  Hetzler  and  Messiah  Transue  wounded  ; 
Charles  C.  Warner,   captured.     All  of  Co.  E  were  from  Easton. 

GETTYSBURG. 

The  march  toward  Pennsylvania  commenced  June  12,  1863,  and  on  June  16,  amid 
the  great  rejoicing  of  the  men.  Colonel  Glanz  rejoined  the  regiment,  but  was  too  much 
enfeebled  by  the  hardships  of  his  imprisonment  to  resume  command.  On  June  30  the  corps 
had  arrived  at  Emmittsburg,  and  on  the  following  morning  moved  towards  Gettysburg  to 
the  sound  of  the  enemy's  guns.     The  brigade  passed  through  the  town,  at   1.30  p.  M. 

NoTE.^Extract  from  a  letter  of  Colonel  Charles  Glanz,  headed  Annapolis,  May  27,  1863,  and  published  in 
the  Easton  Free  Press  of  June  4,  1863  '■  *  *  "At  our  retreat  through  the  woods,  which  were  covered 
with  killed  and  wounded  and  swarming  with  the  rebels  advancing,  I  was  surrounded,  nearly  at  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  and  near  the  new  road  which  had  been  cut  in  the  forenoon  in  case  of  retreat,  and  taken  to  a  little  farm- 
house in  front  of  us  and  placed  between  the  two  chimneys  under  guard.  *  *  I  sat  down  worried  and 
tired  and  thinking  about  my  unpleasant  position.  The  artillery  was  firing  steadil}'  and  all  at  once  the  one 
chimney  came  crashing  down  and  the  heavy  stones  falling  right  and  left  and  injuring  my  right  ear  and  bruising 
my  head.  *  *  Shortly  after  I  was  taken  with  about  fift}' other  captives  eight  miles  to  the  rear.  It  was 
here  I  saw  Gottlieb  Heintzelman  of  South  Easton,  wounded  by  a  shot  through  his  breast.  *         *  The 

rebel  ladies,  of  whom  there  were  six  or  seven  at  the  house,  addressed  us  prisoners  in  bitter  terms,  hoping  this 
would  be  a  good  lesson  for  us,  and  that  we  would  do  better  in  the  future  and  not  come  to  Virginia  again.  The 
next  morning  we  (now  about  three  thousand)  were  marched  at  a  quickstep  about  fifteen  miles  and  then  to  Guin- 
ney's  Station,  and  then  taken  to  Richmond,  at  Libby  Prison,  on  Maj-  7,  after  receiving  the  most  insulting  lan- 
guage from  women  and  boys  and  rowdy  gents.  At  Ashland  they  had  posted  about  one  hundred  negro  children 
to  insult  us,  and  the  so-called  ladies  of  this  little  aristocratic  town  were  using  the  most  abusive  language  toward 
us.     We  all  considered  it  beneath  our  dignity  to  notice  such  treatment." 

Colonel  Charles  Glanz  was  born  at  Walkenried,  in  the  Dukedom  of  Brunswick,  Germany,  in  1823.  He  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1845  and  after  some  stay  in  Philadelphia  and  Pottsville,  settled  at  Ea,ston.  In  July,  1857, 
he  was  appointed  Consul  at  Stettin,  on  the  Baltic,  but  compelled  by  business  growing  at  home  resigned  the  posi- 
tion in  1S59.  Ilis  military  record  has  been  noted.  He  died  in  Easton  July  25,  iSSo,  and  his  remains  were  escorted 
to  the  cemetery  by  his  old  companions  in  arms,  and  his  many  personal  friends  who  ever  remember  him  as  a 
genial  whole-souled  man. 

*Portraits  of  Col.  Glanz  and  I^ieut.  Col.  Dachrodt  will  be  found  on  page  252  of  this  History. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  271 

halted  at  the  Poor  House  to  deposit  knapsacks,  and  was  then  ordered  to  advance  at  double 
quick  and  dislodge  the  enemy  from  a  piece  of  woods  to  the  right.  The  advance  was  made 
in  gallant  style,  but  the  enemy  in  heavy  force  was  advancing  on  all  sides,  and  as  it  was 
losing  fearfully,  with  no  hope  of  advantage,  the  brigade  was  ordered  back,  and  with  the 
corps,  soon  afterward  retreated  through  the  town  to  take  a  position  on  Cemetery  Hill. 
During  the  second  day  of  July  the  artillery  fire  was  very  severe,  and  toward  evening  the 
enemy  in  a  heavy  column  charged  upon  the  position  held  by  the  brigade.  In  spite  of  the 
artillery  fire  and  showers  of  bullets  from  well-poised  muskets,  on  they  came,  crossing  the 
low  stone  wall  and  rushing  among  the  guns.  It  was  now  a  hand-to-hand  conflict.  Clubs 
and  stones  were  freely  used  when  muskets  were  not  available.  A  foremost  rebel  threw 
himself  over  the  muzzle  of  a  cannon,  calling  out  "  I  take  command  of  this  gtin."  "  Dit 
soHst  sie  haben^''  was  the  curt  reply  of  the  sturdy  German  gunner,  as  he  fired  the  piece, 
and  blew  him  to  atoms.  Later  it  aided  in  the  capture  of  two  hundred  and  ninety  prisoners 
and  nearly  three  hundred  stand  of  arms.  The  loss  in  the  entire  battle  was  one  officer,  Lieut. 
W.  H.  Beaver,  and  ten  men  killed,  eight  officers  and  one  hundred  and  eight  men  wounded, 
and  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  men  missing  ;  an  aggregate  of  three  hundred  and  eight. 
The  casualties  among  the  members  of  Company  E  were  Captain  John  P.  Ricker,  wovmded. 
Sergeant  William  F.  Snyder,  captured.  Corporals  Jacob  Christian  and  Lewis  Fraunfelder, 
wounded.  Van  Selan  Walter  and  Noah  Dietrich,  captured,  and  Privates  Sidney  B.  Brei- 
dinger,  William  Miller,  killed,  Joseph  Andrew,  Levi  S.  Brady,  Tobias  Bauer,  Jacob  Jacoby, 
Joseph  Norton,  John  Stecker,  Samuel  B.  Smith,  Levi  F.  Walter  and  Peter  Yeager, 
Jr.,  wounded,  Christian  Dick,  William  Deahl,  George  Heffling,  Edward  Hayden,  Valen- 
tine Messinger,  John  S.  Newbrandt,  Frank  Smith  and  Richard  J.  Walter,  captured. 

The  regiment  marched  by  Emmittsburg  to  Funkstown  in  pursuit  of  the  flying  rebels. 
On  July  14  orders  were  received  for  its  discharge  and  it  moved  by  Frederick  City  and  Bal- 
timore to  Harrisburg,  where,  on  July  24,  it  was  mustered  out  of  service.  Its  brigade 
commander,  Colonel  Von  Gilsa  said,  when  taking  leave  of  it  :  "  I  am  an  old  soldier,  but 
never  did  I  know  soldiers,  who  with  greater  alacrity  and  more  good  will  endeavored  to 
fulfil  their  duties.  In  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  you,  like  veterans,  stood  your  ground 
against  fearful  odds,  and  although  surrounded  on  three  sides,  you  did  not  retreat  until  by 
me  commanded  to  do  so.  In  the  three  days'  battle  of  Gettysburg  your  behavior  put  many 
an  old  soldier  to  the  blush,  and  you  are  justly  entitled  to  a  great  share  of  the  glory  which 
my  brigade  has  won  for  it&elf,  by  repulsing  the  two  dreaded  Tiger  Brigades  of  Jackson. 
In  the  name  of  your  comrades  of  the  First  Brigade  and  myself,  I  now  bid  you  farewell." 

MUSTER  ROLL  CO.  E,  (COMPOSED  OF  EASTONIANS)  153D  P.  V. 
(From  Bates'  History,  P.  V.) 

Captain — John  P.  Ricker.  Corporals — ^Jacob  Christian, 

First  Lieutenant — Christian  H.  Rehfuss.  "            Lewis  Fraunfelder, 

Second  Lieutenant— ]er^vQ\ih.V)\e\.'nch.  "            Van  Selan  Walter, 

"                     Paul  Bachschmid.  "            Nathaniel  Michler, 

First  Sergeants — Theodore  R.  Combs,  "            Abraham  G.  Snyder, 

Andrew  Burt,  "            George  W.  Snyder, 

Adam  Reisinger.  "            Noah  Dietrich, 

Sergeants— '^WXxaxa.  F.  Snyder,  "            Edwin  Brinker. 

Andrew  J.  Hay,  Musicians — Samuel  E.  Lerch, 

"            John  Bittner,  "            Darius  Thomas. 
"            Amadeus  D.  Snyder. 


272 


Joseph  Andrew, 
David  Abel, 
Reuben  Abel, 
Levi  S.  Brady, 
Edward  Boadwee, 
Samuel  Ball. 
Edward  Bonden, 
Thomas  T.  C.  Brady, 
Tobias  Bauer, 
Adam  Bonden, 
Sidney  R.  Bridinger, 
Joseph  Cole, 
Charles  H.  Derr, 
Christian  Dick, 
William  Dachrodt, 
William  Dreahl, 
George  Ellhart, 
William  Entlich, 
Simon  Engel, 
Edwin  Ealer, 
Pearson  Flight, 
Reuben  Faucht, 
Peter  Glass, 
William  Geiger, 
Peter  Hart, 

Hetzler, 


THE  HISTORY  OF 

PRIVATES. 
John  Q.  Hay, 
George  Heffling, 
Edward  Haj'den, 
Charles  Immich, 
Jacob  Jacoby, 
John  Johnson, 
Thomas  Kichline, 
Moyer  Kohn, 
John  Kisselbach, 
William  Koch, 
Edward  Lear, 
Peter  Lear, 
Francis  Leidy, 
Valentine  Messinger, 
Aaron  Messinger, 
John  Mertz, 
William  Martin, 
John  H.  Moser, 
Henry  Mutchler, 
William  Miller, 
William  Moyer, 
John  S.  Newbrandt, 
Joseph  Norton, 
Edward  Osterstock, 
John  J.  Paxon, 
Emil  Robst, 


Jacob  Rasener, 
John  A.  Schug, 
John  Stecher, 
Alexander  Schug, 
August  Stumpel, 
Samuel  B.  Smith, 
Frank  Smith, 
John  Saylor, 
William  T.  Sandt, 
Theodore  Snj-der, 
Theodore  Schug, 
Messiah  Transue, 
Geo.  W.  Vanosten, 
Richard  J.  Walter, 
Charles  C.  Warner, 
Abraham  K.  Woodring, 
Levi  F.  Walter, 
James  E.  Wilson, 
Augustus  Wagner, 
Ephraim  Werkheiser, 
Isaac  Writtenberg, 
Peter  Yeager,  Jr. 
Charles  A.  Vouch, 
John  Voung, 
John  Zeller. 


WELCOME   OF  THE    I53D   REGIMENT. 

Saturday,  July  25,  1862,  was  a  day  long  to  be  remembered  by  the  citizens  of  North- 
ampton County.  On  that  day  the  friends  of  the  153d  Regiment  bade  them  "  Welcome 
Home  !"  and  gave  them  a  reception  worthy  of  their  gallant  deeds.  We  gather  mainly 
from  the  History  of  Northampton  County  the  following  report  of  the  reception  : 

"On  that  day  the  people  gathered  together  from  their  workshops,  their  stores  and  their 
farms  to  receive  a  gallant  band  of  patriots,  who,  nine  months  before  entered  the  service  of 
their  country  to  aid  in  crushing  out  the  rebellion,  and  well  did  they  act  their  part  and 
nobly  did  they  do  their  duty.  Many  a  gallant  member  of  that  band  who  then  left  their 
homes,  their  firesides  and  their  friends,  with  high  hopes  and  expetlations  and  looked  for- 
ward to  a  safe  return  to  that  home  and  fireside  'now  sleep  that  sleep  that  knows  no 
waking'  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  in  Virginia,  and  on  the  bloody  field  of  Gettys- 
burg, in  his  own  native  State,  Pennsylvania.  The  thrill  of  joy  the  arrival  of  the  regiment 
brought  to  some  has  been  counter-balanced  by  the  pangs  of  anguish  it  has  brought  to 
others,  who  have  lost  their  friends  and  relatives — and  they  are  many.  At  an  early  hour 
in  the  morning  after  it  had  been  announced,  on  the  previous  evening,  that  the  regiment 
would  arrive  in  Easton  and  handbills  had  been  sent  throughout  the  county,  the  citizens  of 
Easton  began  their  preparations  for  making  a  grand  display,  and  flags,  banners,  and  ever- 
greens, were  brought  into  requisition  to  add  to  the  reception.  At  eight  o'clock  the  town 
was  decorated  with  flags  from  one  end  to  the  other,  from  the  housetops  and  across  the 
streets.     The  citizens  began  to  fill  the  streets,  and  every  avenue  leading  to  Easton  was 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


273 


thronged  with  carriages,  teams,  omnibuses,  etc.,  loaded  with  people  from  the  country, 
The  hotels  were  filled,  and  the  conveyances  blocked  up  the  streets  so  much  that  pas- 
sage was  next  to  an  impossibility.  The  residences  and  stores  along  Northampton  street 
were  beautifully  decorated  with  festoons  of  evergreens  and  mottoes  of  '  Welcome  Home, 
Heroes  of  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg,'  'Gallant  153d,'  'Welcome  Home,'  &c. 
On  the  top  of  the  hill,  on  Northampton  street,  large  flags  and  banners  entwined  with 
evergreens,  stretched  from  the  opposite  housetops  to  the  large  pole,  made  an  imposing  dis- 
play, as  also  at  the  stores  of  Mr.  William  H.  Kunsman  and  others.  As  the  time  of  the 
arrival  of  the  train  approached,  everybody  made  for  South  Third  street,  and  by  the  time 
the  cars  came  in  sight  the  street  was  a  struggling  mass  of  humanity.  The  Provost  Guard 
and  the  soldiers  under  command  of  Captain  Titus,  endeavored  to  keep  the  streets  clear, 
but  it  was  an  impossibility. 

"  Many  of  the  country  people,  in  their  anxiety  to  see  their  friends,  also  crowded  across 
the  bridge,  and  from  the  depot  to  the  square  at  least  five  thousand  persons  had  assembled. 
At  10  o'clock  the  cannon  on  Mt.  Jefferson  announced  their  arrival,  and  then  the  scene 
became  indescribable.     Such  a  rush  and  such  a  scramble  for  the  depot  we  never  beheld. 

' '  After  the  regiment  had  left  the  cars  they  marched  to  the  South  Easton  road  and  formed 
into  line,  and  headed  by  Colonel  Glanz  and  several  of  the  staff  officers,  they  marched  across 
the  bridge,  where  they  were  received  by  the  procession  announced  in  the  programme,  and 
under  the  direction  of  the  Chief  Marshal,  Thomas  W.  Lynn,  and  his  assistant  marshals, 
marched  to  the  Square,  around  the  Circle,  and  up  Northampton  street  to  the  Fair  building. 

"  All  along  the  route  the  streets,  housetops,  and  windows  were  filled  with  people,  and 
amid  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  the  loud  huzzas  their  march  was  a  perfe(fl  triumph, 
and  calculated  to  cheer  the  hearts  of  the  brave  soldiers.  Friends  and  relatives  crowded 
in  upon  them,  and  to  attempt  to  describe  the  affecflionate  scenes  along  the  route  would  be 
futile.  The  soldiers  looked  begrimed  with  war,  fatigued  and  sunburnt,  and  presented  a 
far  different  appearance  to  what  they  did  when  they  left  home. 

AT  THE   FAIR   GROUND. 

"  The  procession  entered  and  halted,  the  right  extending  toward  the  east  gable  of  the 
building  until  the  regiment  and  train  of  wounded  passed  in  review  and  drew  up  in  front 
of  the  speaker's  stand,  around  which  the  vast  crowd  gathered. 

"From  this  stand  Hon.  Philip  Johnson  delivered  an  address  of  welcome,  from  which 
we  make  the  following  extracts  : 

"Officers  and  Men  of  the  153d  Regiment :  On  behalf  of  your  citizens  of  Northampton 
county  I  bid  you  a  hearty  welcome  home. 

"Thrice  welcome  noble  remnant  of  a  brave  and  gallant  band. 

"  '  We  hail  the  heroes'  safe  return, 
To  home  and  friends  again, 
And  mourn  with  tears  of  sympathy, 
The  gallant  patriots  slain.' 

"  Little  less  than  a  year  ago  it  was  announced  by  the  President  of  the  United  States 
that  in  order  to  fill  up  the  ranks  of  the  army  it  would  be  necessary  for  a  draft  to  be  made 
of  a  certain  number  of  the  able-bodied  citizens  of  the  several  States. 


274 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


"  Pennsylvania  was  assigned  her  quota,  and  so  of  the  several  counties.  Northampton 
had  already  given  many  of. her  brave  sons  to  the  war,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  enforce- 
ment of  a  draft,  at  that  season  of  the  year,  for  the  quota  required,  would  be  attended  with 
a  good  deal  of  distress  and  very  general  inconvenience  to  our  people. 

"  At  this  crisis  you  came  forward  and  magnanimously  volunteered  your  services  at 
once  to  relieve  your  fellow  citizens  of  the  draft  and  take  their  places  in  the  army  to  fight 
their  battles,  endure  whatever  such  service  might  impose,  and  above  all  to  contribute 
your  services  and  sufferings,  your  health,  and,  if  need  be,  your  lives  to  the  support  of  the 
Constitution,  the  Government,  and  the  Flag  of  your  Country. 

"  How  you  have  discharged  these  duties,  your  decimated  ranks,  your  tattered  and 
torn  banners,  and  your  long  train  of  scarred  and  wounded  companions,  and  the  bloody 
fields  of  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg  too  well  disclose. 

"How  your  services  are  appreciated  by  your  friends  at  home,  this  immense  throng, 
summoned  by  a  few  hours  notice  of  your  arrival,  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year,  bears 
ample  testimony. 

"Officers  and  men,  one  and  all,  once  more  I  bid  you  a  hearty  welcome  home. 

"At  the  conclusion  of  his  speech  he  was  heartly  cheered. 

"Colonel  Glanz,  in  reply,  stated  that  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment  were  very 
grateful  for  the  honor  their  fellow  citizens  had  done  for  them,  and  he  was  very  sorry  that 
his  health  was  so  poor,  and  he  was  so  much  exhausted  that  he  could  not  respond  at  length. 

"  Edward  J.  Fo.x,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Collation,  then  addressed  the 
regiment,  briefly  alluding  to  the  gallant  manner  in  which  they  had  volunteered  to  extend 
their  term  of  service  until  the  last  rebel  invader  should  be  expelled  from  the  State,  and 
announced  that  their  fellow  citizens  had  prepared  a  collation  for  them  which  he  invited 
them  to  partake  of. 

"  Under  the  diredlion  of  Major  Thomas  W.  Lynn,  Chief  Marshal,  the  regiment  then 
marched  into  the  fair  building  and  were  seated  ;  the  wounded  unable  to  walk  were  carried 
in  and  cared  for. 

"The  collation,  which  was  got  up  by  the  citizens,  assisted  by  some  of  their  country 
friends,  and  arranged  by  a  committee  of  ladies,  was  a  splendid  affair,  and  consisted  of 
poultry  and  various  meats,  bread,  butter,  cheese,  etc.,  with  warm  coffee,  ice  water,  and 
lager  beer. 

"The  building  is  one  hundred  and  si.xty  feet  long,  and  there  were  four  tables  set, 
e.Ktending  the  whole  length  of  the  building,  with  seats  upon  each  side  of  the  tables.  As 
soon  as  they  were  seated,  Henry  Green,  Esq.,  who  had  been  appointed  to  preside  at  the 
latter,  proceeded  to  address  them,  but  after  a  few  minutes  he  remarked  that  he  knew  the\- 
had  had  nothing  to  eat  since  the  evening  previous,  and  inasmuch  as  he  could  not  be  at  all 
satisfactorily  heard  because  of  the  immense  crowd  of  people  that  were  gathered  around 
them  and  into  the  second  story  building,  he  must  not  trespass  upon  them.  A  beautiful 
poem  was  written  for  the  occasion  by  S.  L.  Cooley,  Esq.  We  regret  that  its  length  will 
not  permit  its  publication  here. 

"  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  the  crowd  could  be  kept  out  of  the  building  so  as  to 
enable  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  waited  upon  the  men  to  attend  to  their  duties.  A 
guard  had  to  be  stationed  at  the  doors,  and,  although  some  of  the  country  friends  com- 
plained a  little,  it  was  a  military  ni'cessitv  they  had  to  submit  to. 


276  THE  HISTORY  OF 

"  After  the  regiment  had  finished  their  dinner,  the  returned  volunteers,  under  Captain 
Titus,  and  Provost  Guard,  Captain  Maguire,  and  citizens  generally,  finished  the  feast. 

SWORD   PRESENTATION   TO   COLONEL   GLANZ. 

"The  music  of  Coates'  Cornet  Band,  upon  the  speaker's  stand,  then  announced  that 
something  else  was  to  be  done,  and  soon  the  soldiers  and  citizens  gathered  around. 

"Here  the  splendid  new  sword,  purchased  by  the  regiment  for  Colonel  Glanz,  was 
formally  presented  to  him,  in  behalf  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment,  in  a  very 
neat  and  appropriate  speech  by  Captain  Howard  J.  Reeder,  as  follows  : 

"Colonel  :  After  sharing  the  perils  and  hardships  of  a  soldiers'  life  for  ten  months 
we  meet  here  this  day  for  the  purpose  of  saying  farewell.  We  meet  here  as  a  regiment 
for  the  last  time  ;  but,  before  we  part,  we  desire  to  give  this  sword  to  our  brave  and  noble 
commander,  as  a  slight  testimony  of  the  high  esteem  and  regard  in  which  we  hold  him. 
The  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  is  now  a  thing  that  was.  Its  organization  exists  no 
longer  ;  but  never  will  one  member  of  that  regiment  forget  its  noble  and  gallant  leader. 
Never!  I  say,  until  the  life-blood  ceases  to  ebb  and  flow  through  the  channels  of  his 
earthly  frame. 

"Colonel — take  this  sword  ;  it  comes  from  the  living  and  the  dead.  In  it,  not  only 
do  the  living  speak  their  gratitude,  but  those  who  lie  beneath  the  soil  of  Chancellorsville 
and  Gettysburg,  raise  their  voices  from  the  hollow  of  their  tomb,  and  ask  not  to  be  for- 
gotten. Nobly  have  you  done  your  duty  ;  faithfully  have  you  obeyed  your  country's  call, 
and  well  do  we  know  when  we  give  this  sword  that  it  will  never  be  sheathed  in  a  just, 
and  never  unsheathed  in  an  unjust  cause. 

"  On  receiving  the  sword,  Colonel  Glanz  responded  in  a  feeling  manner,  assuring  his 
command  of  his  high  regard  for  them,  his  appreciation  of  their  handsome  present,  and 
the  memories  that  he  would  carry  through  life  of  their  glorious  service,  and  happy  days 
of  comradeship.  That  he  felt  it  to  be  a  high  honor,  that  although  foreign  born,  he  had 
been  seledled  to  command  them,  and  regarded  that  moment  as  the  proudest  of  his  life. 

The  large  crowds  of  people  gathered  at  so  short  notice  and  at  such  a  busy  season, 
proved  in  what  estimate  this  regiment  was  held  by  the  people  of  this  county." 

THE  DRAFT  IN  EASTON. 
The  exigencies  of  the  military  service  requiring  more  men,  a  draft  for  the  distridl  was 
held  at  Easton,  on  Monday,  September  28,  1863.  The  envelopes  were  drawn  from  the 
wheel  by  Mr.  Charles  Bixler,  a  blind  man,  in  the  presence  of  a  committee,  composed  of 
members  of  both  political  parties,  and  the  names  were  announced  by  the  Provost  Marshal, 
Samuel  Yohe,  to  the  crowd  assembled,  who  took  the  matter  very  good  naturedly.  The  local 
papers  of  the  day  published  long  columns  of  the  names  of  the  drafted  men,  and  of  those 
who  were  exempt  by  disability  and  other  causes.  The  nation  was  in  the  third  year  of 
the  war.  Its  novelty  had  passed  away,  and  proclamations  for  volunteers  and  calls  for 
drafts  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1863  were  expedled  as  certainly  as  the  needs  of  the  service 
would  demand  them  ;  and  in  Easton,  as  in  most  other  parts  of  the  North,  were  looked  upon 
as  so  much  business  of  the  nation,  to  be  transatled  in  an  orderly  and  impartial  manner. 
The  Provost  Marshal,  Samuel  Yohe,  Connnissioner  of  Board,  Henry  C.  Wolfe,  and  other 
officers,  were  accorded  great  credit  for  firmness  and  impartiality.     Great  good  humor,  we 


EAST  ON,    PENN'A. 


277 


are  told,  prevailed  at  the  drawing,  and  whenever  the  name  of  a  prominent  individual  was 
announced,  it  was  greeted  with  cheers  and  laughter.  It  was  condn(5led  on  an  elevated 
platform  in  front  of  the  office  of  the  Provost  Marshal  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Fifth  and 
Northampton  streets,  so  that  all  who  chose  could  witness  it  and  see  that  it  was  fairly  done. 

THANKSGIVING    DINNER    TO   THE    INVALID    CORPS,    NOVEMBER    26,    1863. 

On  this  day  business  of  all  kinds  was  suspended  and  appropriate  religious  services 
held  in  all  the  churches.  News  of  a  great  victory  over  the  rebel  General  Bragg,  and  the 
capture  of  many  prisoners  and  arms,  had  been  received  early  in  the  day,  and  with  the 
Gettysburg  triumph  fresh  in  memory,  all  felt  thankful  that  the  crisis  of  the  war  was  over, 
and  that  the  rebellion  thenceforth  would  be  stridtly  defensive,  and  must  dwindle  to  certain 
defeat.  The  many  families,  with  representatives  in  the  ranks,  and  the  patriotic  allusions 
of  the  ministers,  rendered  the  services  peculiarly  impressive.  Heavy  contributions  were 
taken  for  the  benefit  of  the  Union  prisoners  at  Richmond. 

A  sumptuous  dinner  was  given  by  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
assisted  by  ladies  of  other  churches,  to  the  invalid  soldiers  composing  the  Provost  Guard 
stationed  in  Easton.  It  drew  forth  a  hearty  letter  of  thanks  from  the  officers  in  com- 
mand, who  stated  that  the  Thanksgiving  banquet  at  their  barracks  reminded  them  of 
their  homes,  and  was  an  assurance  that  they  were  in  the  midst  of  friends.  The  kindly 
services  of  these  ladies  to  the  invalid  soldiers  were  not  limited  to  Thanksgiving  day. 
They  had  been  constant  in  their  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of  these  soldiers  of  the 
Union,  gathered  from  all  commands,  and  unfit  for  aftive  field  service.  The  street  parades 
of  these  veterans  were  a  marked  feature  of  the  time,  and  a  constant  reminder  of  the  great 
army  in  the  front,  from  which  from  time  to  time,  they  had  been  detached  by  reason  of 
wounds  and  other  disabilities. 

RETURN   OF  THE   5IST   P.    V.    VETERANS  TO   RECRUIT. 

In  February,  1864,  this  regiment  was  ordered  to  Harrisburg  to  fill  its  ranks,  depleted 
in  the  numerous  engagements  and  severe  campaigning  of  its  long  and  honorable  service. 
Companies  B  and  K,  with  part  of  Company  H,  recruited  in  Easton,  on  their  return  on 
Tuesday  evening,  February  9,  1864,  received  a  most  flattering  welcome.  The  Easton 
men  in  Company  H  had  been  recruited  by  Captain  George  Finley,  who,  when  the  regi- 
ment was  being  organized  had  endeavored  to  raise  a  third  company  from  the  borough. 
Upon  failure  to  secure  the  requisite  number  of  men  they  were  consolidated  with  others 
from  Union  county,  into  Company  H,  under  command  of  Captain  J.  Merrill  Einn,  of 
Lewisburg. 

They  were  met  at  the  depot  by  a  large  body  of  citizens,  headed  by  Coates'  Cornet 
Band,  and  escorted  to  Centre  Square  amid  firing  of  cannon  and  ringing  of  church  bells. 
Flags  waved  from  the  houses,  and  an  immense  throng  crowded  the  streets  to  greet  the 
returning  heroes.  After  an  appropriate  welcome  by  Colonel  W.  E.  Doster,  a  collation 
was  given  to  them  at  the  Phoenix  Hall,  whither  they  were  conducfted  and  where  they  were 
again  welcomed  by  Samuel  L.  Cooley,  Esq.  The  substantial  were  heartily  discussed  by 
the  soldierly  looking  men,  and  they  separated  highly  pleased  with  their  reception. 

Again  they  were  handsomely  entertained  at  a  banquet  at  Masonic  Hall,  on  Friday, 
February  12,  presided  over  by.  Hon.  H.   D.   Maxwell.     The  Judge  was  heartily  cheered 


278 


THE  HISTORY   OF 


during  his  speech  on  taking  the  chair,  and  the  numerous  toasts  to  the  valor  of  the  men 
were  eloquently  responded  to  by  Hon.  A.  H.  Reeder  and  others.  The  large  attendance 
of  citizens  was  loud  in  applause  of  the  many  incidents  of  their  varied  service  since  the 
departure  of  the  volunteers,  with  the  lamented  Captain  Ferdinand  W.  Bell,  September  14, 
1 86 1.     The  muster  rolls  given  are  taken  from  Captain  Parker's  History  of  the  regiment. 


COMPANY  B. 


ra/>/aiK— Ferdinand  \V.  Bell. 
Daniel  L.  Nicholas. 
First  Lieutenant — John  H.  Genther. 

"  "  Valentine  Stocker. 

Second  Lieutenant— KoherX.  M.  Burrell. 

"  "  John  \V.  Meeker. 

First  Sergeant — Samuel  A.  Apple. 
Sergeants — John  W.  Beam. 
"  Alson  Stocker. 

*'  Conrad  Swazer. 

Charles  S.  Knauss. 
William  J.  Osterstock. 
George  W.  Arndt. 
Corporals^]ohn  M.  Wein. 


Josiah  Ackerman, 
Edward  Apple, 
Joseph  Arnold, 
William  Albert, 
John  F.  Ackerman, 
Harrison  Ackerman, 
William  Andrews, 
Adam  Buzzard, 
John  W.  Brunner, 
Abraham  Babp, 
William  H.  Bachman, 
William  L.  Bowman, 
John  Burns, 
George  Boswell, 
Sebastian  Bring, 
James  Bisbing, 
William  H.  Brittain, 
John  H.  Buck, 
John  Bowes, 
William  H.  Butz, 
Jackson  Bullman, 
Philip  Bond, 
Jonathan  Brook. 
Charles  Brown, 
James  Bridges, 
William  Colbath, 
Jeremiah  Cheney, 
John  L.  Clifton, 
Philip  Curtz, 
Israel  Crocket, 
Allen  J.  Clifton, 
John  Coff, 
George  Crawford, 
Charles  H.Chambers, 
Reuben  Ilutter. 


PRIVATES. 
Charles  N.  Gosner. 
John  B.  Godley, 
Lewis  Group, 
Jacob  Haas, 
William  Haas, 
Edward  Hill, 
Benjamin  Hively, 
Edward  Hardy, 
William  Hufsmith, 
Theodore  F.  Hi.xon 
Michael  Henning, 
Charles  Hiney, 
Jeremiah  Haines, 
John  A.  Halsted, 
William  Henning, 
John  \.  Innes, 
John  Judge, 
Charles  W.  Kinsey, 
Reuben  Kresge, 
John  Kustetor, 
Chris.  Knauss, 
Emanuel  Kresge, 
Lewis  Kross, 
John  A.  Lee, 
John  Lee, 
Thomas  Leary, 
Aaron  Lottig, 
Samuel  Mershon, 
Thomas  Marsteller, 
Thomas  P.  Miller. 
Chris.  B.  Myers, 
Peter  Myers, 
Philip  M.  Mettler, 
Henry  Mixell, 
William  Moore. 


ror/>ora/i— Philip  A.  Barnet. 

Georgejohnson. 

Milton  Ackerman. 
"  Enos  Schock. 

"  Samuel  F.  Knapp. 

"  Henry  Schooley. 

"  Benjamin  F.  -Ackerman. 

Matthew  Delaney. 
"  Thompson  .Ackerman. 

"  Samuel  Moore. 

Edward  Bullman. 
"  George  W.  Moser. 

Musicians — ^John  D.  Knauss. 

Aimer  Neigh. 


Adam  Rufl", 
Charles  Reed, 
John  Seibert, 
Charles  Sharp, 
Peter  Scott, 
Henry  Scott, 
Henry  Samuels. 
James  Shull, 
-■Andrew  Snyder, 
Edwin  P.  Snyder. 
William  Stocker, 
Stephen  Smith, 
Abraham  Shook, 
John  S.  Samsell, 
Simon  Searfoss. 
William  Searfoss, 
Henry  Steintioff, 
John  H.  Schooley, 
James  Snedeker, 
Jacob  H.  Sweeney. 
Charles  Sheets. 
Thomas  Sletor, 
William  A.  Smith, 
William  Shick, 
John  H.  Seiple, 
Rudolph  Steiner, 
William  F.  Strattford, 
John  Stone, 
William  Stewart, 
William  L.  Snyder, 
Joseph  Titus, 
William  Tomer, 
Henry  Thompson, 
.\aron  Thatcher, 


William  H.  Diehl, 
John  H.  Diehl, 
George  Dulot, 
Courtland  Dutt, 
Uriah  Dole, 
George  Dean, 
William  Draher, 
Lawrence  H.  Delly, 
John  Eichlin, 
William  D.  Everett, 
Joel  L.  Everett, 
Reading  Fluck, 
Henry  Furich, 
Peter  Frautz, 
Gabriel  Fay, 
Henry  Gregory, 
Jacob  W.  Gosner, 
Daniel  H.  Gerhart, 
Jacob  Gamber, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 

PRIVATES— Continued. 
Thomas  Moser, 
Thomas  Miller, 
John  Miller, 
Patrick  McDonald, 
Titus  McFall, 
Wilson  McKeighan, 
T.  J.  Nicholas, 
Charles  Newsbaum, 
John  Nugent, 
John  Obenholzer, 
James  Pettit, 
George  Paul, 
Henry  Poff, 
William  O.  Rauch, 
John  B.  Reigle, 
Thomas  P.  Rickets, 
Charles  Ricker, 
Benjamin  J.  Reily, 
Joshua  Raub, 


279 


Daniel  W.  Vannatta, 
Nicholas  Woodring, 
Thomas  Williamson, 
Gabriel  Z.  Wacht, 
Calvin  L.  Weaver, 
John  Weidknecht, 
S.  C.  Weidknecht, 
Edward  Weiss, 
Hiram  Woodring, 
Henry  Warner, 
George  Walters, 
Samuel  Warner, 
Cyrus  Werkheiser, 
John  Wilson, 
Isaac  Wilson, 
Francis  Young. 
Lewis  H.  Young, 
Stelio  Zamaria. 


COMPANY  K. 


ra/>/o2n— John  E.  Titus. 

William  S.Mellick. 
First  Lieutenant — Jacob  Fryburger. 

"  "  Jacob  Hawk. 

First  Sergeant— 'Da.me\  W.  Eichman 
Sergeants— ]ohrv  C.  Dittler. 
"  Theo.  Moser. 

Uriah  F.  Dean. 
Franklin  S.  Moyer. 


Amandus  Atlee, 
George  Buss, 
Henry  A.  Daily, 
Jacob  Fortner, 
Henry  Gangwere, 
Frank  T.  Grube, 
Daniel  Herzog, 


PRIVATES. 
George  V.  Holden, 
Edward  H.  Patterson, 
John  Ritter, 
Philip  Richards, 
Erwin  Richards, 
Francis  Reedy, 
Samuel  G.  Stidinger, 


Corporals— Thfto.  Odenwelder. 
"  Francis  Ludwig. 

*'  Francis  Tro.vell. 

Jacob  F.  Cole. 

John  P.  Huber. 
"  John  Sutton. 

Jacob  Tru.xell. 

Daniel  Troxell. 

Philip  Richards. 


Frederick  Schwep, 
Daniel  Scheeks, 
Christian  Scheeks, 
Lewis  Singer, 
William  H.  Vogel, 
William  Yates. 


As  the  names  of  the  original  members  of  the  above  companies  disappeared  from  the 
rolls  in  the  casualties  of  their  long  and  severe  campaigning  their  places  were  filled  with 
new  men,  many  of  whom  had  been  drafted.  This  will  account  for  the  long  roll  of  Com- 
pany B.  Scattered  through  the  other  company  rolls  of  the  regiment  the  names  of  Easton 
volunteers  appear.     Company  E,  Dietrich  Beckman  and  others  not  designated. 


REGIMENTAL   RECORD. 

The  51st  P.  V.  was  organized  at  Harrisburg,  late  in  September,  1861,  under  the 
supervision  of  Colonel  John  F.  Hartranft,  an  officer  who  rose  through  his  fine  soldierly 
qualities  and  distinguished  record  to  be  a  Major  General  of  volunteers,  and  in  civil  life, 
subsequently,  was  twice  eledled  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth. 

The  regiment  left  Camp  Curtin,  November  18,  1861,  and  until  its  embarkation  with 
the  Burnside  Expedition  on  January  6,  1862,  was  quartered  near  Annapolis  and  en- 
gaged in   constant  drill   under  the  eye  of  its  active    and   skilful   commander.     In   the 


28o  THE  HISTORY  OF 

engagement  on  Roanoke  Island,  the  Newbern  Expedition,  and  the  movement  near  Eliza"- 
beth  City,  Companies  B  and  K  were  acftive  and  with  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  second 
Bnll  Run  battles,  and  on  September  3,  marched  through  Washington  for  the  Antietam 
campaign.  Its  part  in  the  South  Mountain  fight  and  the  great  battle  of  Antietam,  on 
September  17,  and  its  famous  storming  of  the  Bridge,  are  bright  pages  in  the  history  of 
the  war.  The  gallant  charge  at  Fredericksburg,  in  which  Captain  Ferdinand  W.  Bell 
fell  at  the  head  of  his  command,  was  its  last  fight  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  before 
its  departure  for  Kentucky,  on  March  25,  1863. 

Captain  Parker  in  his  interesting  history  of  the  51st  P.  V.  says  of  this  Fredericksburg 
battle,  "  The  position  assigned  the  regiment  was  diredlly  in  face  of  more  than  a  mile  of 
earthworks,  behind  which  lay  thousands  of  rebels,  who  kept  up  incessant  volleys  of  mus- 
ketry, and  their  batteries,  volleys  of  grape  and  canister,  to  say  nothing  of  the  rifle  shells 
that  passed  through  the  ranks,  and  went  screeching  and  whizzing  through  the  air.  It 
was  here  that  Captain  Ferdinand  W.  Bell,  of  Company  B,  was  killed,  whose  loss  was  most 
seriously  felt  by  all  in  the  regiment,  and  particularly  in  his  company.  He  was  an  ac- 
complished and  unassuming  gentleman,  a  good  disciplinarian,  a  true  patriot,  and  as 
fearless  as  he  was  gentle." 

The  same  book,  in  referring  to  the  skirmish  drill  and  bayonet  e.xercise  by  regiment  and 
company,  praises  Company  B,  and  its  Captain,  as  follows:  "There  did  not  e.xist  a  com- 
pany in  the  whole  expedition  (Roanoke)  that  could  vie  with  Captain  Bell's  Company  B, 
in  the  bayonet  exercise.  Every  lunge,  parry  and  carte,  were  performed  with  so  much 
promptness  and  precision,  that  it  looked  more  like  automatic  machine  work  than  that  of 
men  moving  by  will.  Other  companies  also  did  well,  especially  Company  D,  but  none 
had  the  training  that  Company  B  had,  nor  did  another  drill-master  exist  in  the  regiment, 
as  was  Ferdinand  W.  Bell ;  very  explicit  in  his  instru(ftions,  firm  in  his  commands,  cor- 
real in  his  orders  and  movements,  and  who  could  not  be  persuaded  to  believe  a  soldier  had 
a  right  to  make  a  mistake,  and  so  heartily  did  his  '  boys '  concur  in  his  opinions  that  they 
made  no  mistakes.'' 

On  December  14,  1862,  the  day  after  the  death  of  Captain  Bell,  his  place  was  filled 
by  the  promotion  of  Lieutenant  Daniel  L.  Nicholas,*  who  had  served  in  the  First  U.  S. 
Dragoons  in  the  Mexican  War,  and  who  was  an  earnest  and  heroic  soldier.  Under  his 
command  the  company  did  its  full  share  in  the  great  battles  which  won  for  the  regiment 
the  sobriquet  of  "  The  Fighting  Fifty-first." 

Lieutenant  John  H.  Genther  was  transferred  to  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  with 
the  rank  of  Captain. 

In  the  historic  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  campaigning  about  Kno.xville,  time  passed 
until  January  5,  1864,  when  it  re-enlisted  and  returned  home  on  a  veteran  furlough.  Its 
subsequent  career,  as  a  Veteran  regiment,  was  no  less  distinguished.  Returning  with 
recruited  ranks,  on  May  5,  1864,  it  crossed  the  Rapidan  to  enter  upon  the  stubborn  and 
successful  fighting  under  Grant,  in  the  great  movement  by  the  left  flank  to  Cold  Harbor. 
On  June  17,  it  was  in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  at  once  was  engaged  at  close  quarters,  at 
one  time  for  seventeen  successive  days  and  nights,  in  an  unceasing  fire  of  musketry,  one- 
third  of  the  men  being  constantly  employed.     It  was  part  of  the  storming  column  at  the 

*  Captain  Nicholas  died  November  3,  1887,  and  was  buried  on  the  Sunday  following  with  the  honors  of  war 
by  his  ronirades  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  281 

Crater,  inarched  to  the  relief  of  tlie  ill-fated  Warren  iu  August,  was  in  the  final  attack  of 
April  2,  1865,  which  resulted  in  the  fall  of  Richmond,  and  closed  the  most  brilliant  of 
regimental  careers,  on  July  27,  when  after  four  years  of  arduous  duty,  extending  over 
the  whole  line  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Mississippi,  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  at 
Alexandria,  Virginia. 

CASUALTIES  AMONG  THE   EASTON   VOLUNTEERS. 

CoiHpaiiv  B. — Killed,  Captain  Ferdinand  W.  Bell;  Corporal  Edward  Bullmau.  Privates,  killed,  John  F. 
Ackerman,  Harrison  Ackerman,  Philip  Bond,  William  Dreher,  Wm.  F.  Stratford,  Cyrus  Werkheiser.  Wounded, 
Corporal  Charles  W.  Kinsey.  Privates,  wounded,  Henry  Furich,  Gabriel  Fay,  Edward  Hardy,  George  Paul. 
Captured,  Corporal,  Matthew  Delany  ;  privates,  William  Albert,  Jonathan  Brook,  George  Crawford,  Courtlandt 
Dutt,  Lewis  Group,  Henry  Meixsell. 

Company  E. — Wounded,  Sergeant  George  Diehl. 

Company  H. — Wounded,  Corporal  H.  J.  Lingerman,     Wounded,  Private  Anthony  Weisinbach. 

Company  K. — Wounded,  First  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Fryberger.  Killed,  Sergeant  Franklin  S.  Moyer ;  Cor- 
poral, Jacob  Troxell.  Wounded,  Corporal,  Theodore  Odenwelder,  John  P.  Huber.  Privates,  killed,  Frederick 
Schwep,  Daniel  Scheeks.  Privates,  wounded,  Jacob  Fortner,  William  T.  Rundis,  Alfred  Schilling,  John  Wine- 
garden,  William  Yates. 

RECEPTION   OF   COMPANY   E,    I2TH   PENNA.    RESERVES,    OR   41ST   P.    V. 

The  survivors  of  this  gallant  band  were  accorded  a  most  hearty  and  enthusiastic 
reception  by  the  citizens  of  Easton,  on  Tuesday  evening,  June  14,  1864.  Coates'  Cornet 
Band  headed  the  procession  from  the  depot,  and  the  veterans,  many  of  whom  were  suf- 
fering from  wounds,  were  seated  in  carriages  kindly  furnished  by  the  Seitz  Brothers. 
After  marching  through  the  principal  streets,  a  halt  was  made  in  front  of  White's  Hotel 
in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Square,  where  they  were  welcomed  in  a  very  neat  and 
appropriate  speech  by  Colonel  Baldy.  After  cheers  for  the  veterans,  the  Governor,  and 
the  President,  there  was  a  general  handshaking  between  the  soldiers  and  the  citizens. 

Reference  has  already  been  made  in  these  pages  to  the  origin  and  record  of  the 
Reserves.  Under  the  recruiting  of  Captain  John  J.  Horn,  and  Ivieutenant  afterwards  by 
promotion.  Captain  Francis  Schelling,  who  had  seen  service  in  the  nth  U.  S.  Infantry 
in  the  Mexican  War,  and  Lieutenant  Edward  Kelly,  volunteers  were  raised  in  Easton, 
who,  on  the  organization  of  the  regiment,  41st  P.  V.,  called  12th  Pennsylvania  Reserves, 
July  25,  1861,  formed  Company  E,  whose  muster  roll  we  have  already  given  with  the 
notice  of  their  departure  for  Camp  Curtin.  After  some  days  guard  duty  about  the  public 
buildings  in  Harrisburg  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  join  the  Third  Brigade  of  the 
Reserves  at  Tenallytown,  near  Washington.  This  it  did  on  August  20,  1861,  and  was 
engaged  in  camp  drills  until  October  10,  when  it  marched  into  Virginia,  and  on  December 
20  joined  in  the  advance  on  Drainesville,  where  it  was  engaged  with  slight  loss.  On 
March  10,  with  the  army,  it  moved  towards  Manassas,  and  on  the  retreat  of  the  rebels, 
bivouacked,  without  shelter,  and  exposed  to  intense  cold  and  rain  and  snow  storms. 
After  doing  some  detached  guard  service  the  regiment,  on  May  6,  joined  its  division  at 
Falmouth.  The  Peninsular  campaign  had  now  opened,  and  the  Reserves  were  conveyed 
by  transports  to  the  White,  on  June  14,  and  after  picket  duty  and  marching,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  26th  assisted  in  driving  the  rebels  back  by  their  steady  fire  at  Ellerson's  Mill, 
near  Cold  Harbor.  Colonel  Taggart  of  the  12th  held  his  position  until  near  daylight  and 
then  withdrew  under  orders.     Two  days  later,  the  men  from  constant  alarms,  having  had 


282  THE  HISTORY  OF 

little  sleep  or  refreshment,  the  regiment  moved  to  Gaine's  Mills,  and  under  a  heavy  fire 
for  three  hours  defended  the  guns  and  drove  the  rebels  back.  Next  morning  it  moved, 
guarding  long  lines  of  the  Reserve  artiller>-,  and  at  night  was  on  picket  duty  near  the 
James  river.  Next  day  saw  it  near  Malvern  Hill  where  it  arrived  at  daybreak,  after  a 
hand  to  hand  conflic?t  with  the  rebels,  who  poured  upon  its  flanks  in  immense  force. 
Here  in  reserve  they  saw  the  heavy  shells  thrown  far  inland  from  the  gun  boats,  the  suc- 
cessive rebel  charges,  and  the  deadly  fire  from  the  Reserve  batteries.  On  the  repulse  of 
the  rebels,  the  Reserves  again  on  transports,  joined  the  army  of  General  Pope,  and  took 
part  with  great  credit  in  the  second  Bull  Run  battle,  and  on  September  17,  under  General 
McClellan  on  the  field  of  Antietam.  The  Reserves  were  selected  to  lead  in  the  advance 
upon  the  rebel  lines  and  were  engaged  in  heavy  skirmishing  on  the  Bowling  Green  road. 
The  loss  to  the  regiment  here  was  heav>-.  In  February,  1863,  the  regiment,  now  much 
reduced,  occupied  the  defences  of  Washington,  and  for  six  weeks  performed  provost  duty 
in  that  city.  It  joined  the  main  army  moving  on  Gettysburg  at  Frederick,  and  reached 
that  field  at  10  h.  M.  on  July  2,  and  was  hurriedly  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Little  Round 
Top.  After  frequent  change  of  position  during  the  afternoon  in  support  of  troops  it  com- 
menced and  completed  during  the  night  a  stone  wall  connecting  the  sunmiit  of  Round 
Top  with  that  of  Little  Round  Top.  The  enemy  could  be  distinctly  heard  at  the  same 
time  building  a  parallel  wall  near  the  foot  of  the  hill.  This  was  held  during  the  next 
day,  in  full  view  of  the  charge  of  cavalry  under  General  Kilpatrick  on  the  left,  and  the 
rebel  General  Pickett's  grand  charge  upon  the  left  centre.  On  the  morning  of  the  4th 
rebel  bayonets  gleamed  above  the  stone  wall,  but  the  rebels  themselves  had  departed,  and 
the  ruse  was  soon  detecfted  and  the  muskets  brought  in.  Pursuit  commenced  upon  the 
5th,  and  in  the  campaign  following,  the  12th  was  engaged  at  Bristow  Station  on  October 
14,  Rappahannock  Station  on  November  19,  and  Mine  Run  on  November  26. 

The  winter  passed  in  duty  on  the  line  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  in 
close  picket  duty  and  with  frequent  skirmishes.  In  May,  1864,  with  recruited  ranks  it 
entered  upon  the  Wilderness  campaign,  and  was  closely  engaged  in  its  heavy  fights  until 
May  30,  1864,  when  its  time  expired,  and  it  was  ordered  to  Harrisburg,  where,  on  June 
II,  1864,  it  was  mustered  out  after  three  years  of  faithful  service. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Peter  Baldy,  promoted  from  Major,  August  i,  1862,  was  dis- 
charged, by  reason  of  absence  through  sickness,  February  15,  1863. 

Captain  John  J.  Horn,  in  delicate  health  at  his  entry  into  service,  was  disabled  to 
such  a  degree  by  its  hardships  as  to  be  compelled  to  resign,  February  17,  1S62. 

CASUALTIES   AMONG   THE   EASTON   VOLUNTEERS. 

Company  E. — Wounded,  Captain  Francis  Schelling,  Lieutenant  Edward  Kelly  ;  Sergeants,  William  Ruch, 
James  Johnston,  William  F.  Keller,  William  R.  Kidd.  Corporals,  killed,  George  Darhammer,  George  Ketch- 
ledge,  J.  H.  Messinger,  William  J.  Kuchner ;  wounded,  Daniel  H.  Laubach.  Privates,  killed,  Robert  G. 
Barnes,  Thomas  Duffin,  Charles  Custard,  William  Dice,  Josiah  Edelman,  Landers  Everett,  David  H.  Graham, 
Matthew  Haas,  William  Handwork,  Edward  Leidy,  George  .A.  Miller,  Paul  Roth,  Thomas  Ruth,  George  Walls  ; 
wounded,  James  Devine,  John  May,  Aaron  E-  Beisel,  Leopold  Beck 

180TH  REGIMENT  PENNA.  VOLUNTEERS — 19TH  PENNA.  CAVALRY. 

In  an  engagement  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  in  December,  1864,  Captain  Frank  Reeder  of 
this   regiment  was  wounded.     He  was  on  January   26,    1865,   promoted   to  Lieutenant 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


283 


Colonel,  and  later  by  order  of  the  War  Department  to  Brevet  Brigadier  General.  Its 
Major,  Norman  M.  Finlay,  discharged  Jnly  23,  1864,  and  First  Lieutenant,  Jonathan  L. 
Fackenthall,  who  died  at  Memphis,  on  December  5,  1864,  of  disease  contracted  in  service, 
were  also  from  Easton,  as  were  others  whose  names  are  scattered  through  the  muster  rolls 
of  the  different  companies.  The  regiment  was  recruited  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1863, 
at  Camp  Stanton,  in  Philadelphia,  and  upon  its  organization  in  November  was  ordered  to 
Washington,  and  was  shortly  after  forwarded  to  the  army  in  the  west. 

It  was  engaged  in  adlive  campaigning  while  operating  on  the  flank  of  General  Sher- 
man's army  in  the  movement  against  Vicksburg,  and  rendered  efficient  service  in  the  des- 
truction of  supplies  intended  for  the 
rebel  army.  In  April,  1864,  by  a  suc- 
cession of  rapid  attacks,  it  delayed  the 
rebel  General  Forrest  in  his  march  in 
force  to  Fort  Pillow,  but  could  not,  by 
reason  of  its  small  number,  prevent  that 
shameless  massacre.  On  July  4,  it 
moved  to  Vicksburg,  and  thence  to 
Little  Rock,  against  the  rebel  General 
Sterling  Price,  and  participated  in  en- 
gagements at  Marion,  Greensboro,  Pilot 
Knob,  Osage,  and  the  Big  Blue  River. 
A  sabre  charge  of  the  19th  had  much 
to  do  with  the  latter  viClory.  After 
lively  campaigning  on  the  flank  of  the 
rebel  General  Hood  it  made  a  number 
of  noted  charges.  One  was  memorable 
for  the  enthusiasm  infused  among  the 
brave  sabreurs  by  the  music  of  "  Rally 
Round  the  Flag,  Boys"  played  by  all 
the  bands  of  the  division,  as  it  started 
in  its  successful  onslaught  upon  the 
enemy.  At  Franklin,  the  driven  enemy 
again  made  a  determined  stand  behind 
a  stone  wall,  but  were  flanked  and 
again  forced  to  retreat.  In  this  fight 
three  stands  of  colors  and  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  prisoners  were  captured, 
and  among  the  wounded  was  Captain  Frank  Reeder.  The  rebel  pursuit  continued  until 
they  were  finally  defeated  at  Sugar  Creek,  in  which  fight  the  19th  dismounted,  co-opera- 
ted with  other  forces. 

While  in  camp  at  Gravelly  Springs,  Alabama,  a  battalion  of  six  companies  was  formed 
of  the  regiment  decimated  by  heavy  losses  in  battle  and  through  disease,  and  on  February 
8,  1865,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Frank  Reeder,  it  embarked  at  Eastport 
for  New  Orleans,  and  arrived  there  on  March  9,  and  moved  to  Baton  Rouge  where  it  was 


Frank  Reeder, 
Col.  igtli  Pa.  Cavalry.     Br.  Brig.  Gene 


284 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


engaged  in  scouting  and  picket  duty.  Here  on  June  13  it  was  consolidated  into  four 
companies,  and  on  July  25  defeated  a  detachment  of  the  rebel  Wirt  Adams'  command  at 
Clinton.  Until  March  it  was  employed  in  service  against  guerillas  at  different  points, 
defeating  them  with  heavy  loss  in  January,  1866,  and  after  performance  of  provost  duty 
in  New  Orleans  was  on  May  14,  1866,  mustered  out  of  service.  Its  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  and  disabled  men  in  its  varied  campaigning  was  heavy. 

FORTY-SEVENTH   PENNA.    VOLUNTEERS. 

In  the  midst  of  a  snow  storm  on  December  20,  1864,  this  regiment,  in  whose  ranks 
were  two  Companies,  A  and  E,  of  Easton  volunteers,  marched  through  Winchester,  Va., 
and  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Camp  Fairview,  near  Charlestown.  It  had  taken  part 
in  the  grand  movement  of  "Cavalry  Sheridan,"  which  turned  defeat  into  vicftory  and 
sent  the  rebel  General  Early  "whirling  up  the  valley"  in  Ocftober,  1864,  and  was  compli- 
mented on  the  field  by  General  Thomas  for  its  gallant  stand  at  Cedar  Creek.  Besides  the 
volunteers  recruited  in  Easton  by  Captains  Richard  A.  Grseffe  and  Charles  H.  Yard,  it 
had  taken  with  it  into  service  on  its  muster  rolls  in  September,  1861,  all  of  the  members 
of  Pomp's  Cornet  Band,  an  organization  that  had  been  from  1850  the  life  of  the  street 
parades  of  the  borough,  and  was  widely  known  for  its  high  grade  of  music  and  artistic 
execution.  Its  director,  Thomas  Coates,  to  whom  this  reputation  was  due,  besides  being 
a  performer  of  skill  was  a  composer  of  celebrity,  and  many  airs  listened  to  in  great  cities 
by  applauding  crowds,  were  heard  for  the  first  time,  and  with  favor,  upon  the  streets  of 
Easton.  We  give  the  rolls  of  the  band  and  of  the  two  Easton  companies,  as  they  appear 
in  Bates'  History  P.  V. 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  REGIMENTAL  BAND,  47TH  P.  V. 

Principal  Musicians. — Wm.  A.  Heckman,  Daniel  D.  Dachrodt. 

Leader  of  Band. — Thomas  Coates. 

Musicians.— ]o'ini\  Alele,  Gilbert  M.  Bissell,  VVm.  Q.  Brotzman,  Charles  Eichman,  Peter  Garrecht,  Henry  Heusner, 
Frederick  L.Jacobs,  Henry  H,  M'Neal,  William  H.  Nagle,  Wm.  H.  Pomp,  Sr.,  Wm.  H.  Pomp,  Jr.,  Aaron  Peterson, 
John  Rupp,  Mitch.  J.  Solomons,  Peter  Schwentzer,  Edward  F.  Seigfried,  James  Tarrant,  J.  Eugene  Walter. 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  CO.  A  AND  E,  47TH  P.  V. 


COMPANY  A. 


Captains — Richard  A.  Graeffe, 

"  Adolphus  Dennig. 

First  Lieutenant — James  F.  Myers, 

"  "  John  H.  Stein. 

Second  Lieutenant — William  W.  Belles, 
First  Sergeant — Nicholas  Reiser. 
Sergeants— ¥Ta.n.  Mittenberger, 
Peter  Batt, 
"  Amos  Jumper, 

William  Hall, 
Frederick  Hubel, 
"  Bernard  Brahler, 

William  Ferer, 
Corporals — Charles  Glasser, 
"  Ma.x  Slimmer, 


Corporals — Samuel  Yonkins, 
"  Levi  Fraunfelder, 

"  Reuben   Raider, 

"  Jacob  Kohler, 

"  James  Haney, 

"  Frederick  Kagely, 

"  Amandus  Sandt, 

"  George  Rice, 

"  William  Sweitzer, 

John  Savitz, 
"  Jacob  Beck, 

"  Adam  Lawrence, 

Musicians— ]Acoh  Daub, 

"  Wm.  Williamson. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


PRIVATES. 


285 


Robert  Adams, 
John  Alder, 
Michael  Andrews, 
Jacob  M.  Bower, 
James  Barnett, 
Samuel  Bauman, 
Joseph  B.  Bower, 
Anthony  B.  Bush, 
Daniel  Battaghlia, 
William  Borman, 
David  R.  Bills, 
Martin  Baker, 
Andrew  Bellis, 
George  Bohn, 
Thomas  J.  Bower, 
Samuel  E.  Bridinger, 
George  Bolian, 
Jeremiah  Billheimer, 
Tobias  Bower, 
Amandus  Bellis, 
Lewis  Bower, 
John  Brensinger, 
John  Bush, 
Elias  Berlin, 
John  Cohler, 
Jacob  Gassier, 
Charles  Coleman, 
Daniel  S.  Crawford, 
William  Daub, 
Thomas  Duffert, 
Michael  Delaney, 
Samuel  Danner, 
Charles  Detweiler, 
John  Deverin, 
Emanuel  Eichman, 
John  H.  Everett, 
Henry  Engle. 
Martin  Eppler, 
Jacob  Eckert, 
John  Eppler, 
William  Pagan, 
R.  Fraunfelder, 
John  W.  Furman, 
Peter  Fahey, 
Isaac  Fleishhower, 
Abraham  Fleisher, 
Adolphus  Finster, 
Allen  Faber, 
Daniel  Friedewald, 
Clements  Goodyear, 
Christian  Gresser, 
Edwin  T.  Greening, 
Lewis  Gebhart, 
Solomon  Guildner, 
Hugo  Goltz, 
Lawrence  Gatence, 
Joseph  Goodyear, 
George  Hare, 


Lewis  Hohn, 
George  W.  Hall, 
Jacob  Herbert, 
Reuben  Hartzell, 
George  Hyde, 
Joseph  Harle. 
Christian  Haldeman, 
John  Hawk, 
Willoughby  Haflfner, 
Reinhold  Hohn, 
Sidney  Hahn, 
Nicholas  Hoffman, 
Henry  Hartman, 
John  Q.   Hay, 
Peter  A.  Henkle, 
John  J.  Jones, 
Richard  Koenig, 
Stephen  Knecht, 
Matthias  Krotz, 
Missouri  Kretzler, 
Peter  Kern, 
John  Krouenbetter, 
Myer  Kohn, 
Henry  Kline, 
Joseph  Kline, 
Tilghman  Keim, 
Frederick  Keiser, 
James  M.  Keifer, 
Ambrose  Koch, 
William  S.  Keen, 
Edwin  Kidd, 
Owen  C.  Laub, 
Wm.  Laughran, 
Peter  Lewis, 
Moritz  Lazius, 
Mahlon  Raub, 
Henry  Lingaman, 
Charles   Lear, 
Augustus  Loeffelman, 
Albert  Like, 
Joseph  Miller, 
John  Muhl, 
Samuel  Meyers, 
Daniel  Moyer, 
George  Muller, 
Joseph  W.  Myers, 
Joseph  E.  Messinger, 
Frederick  E.  Meyer, 
Stephen  Moyer, 
Edward  M'Glynn, 
Daniel  M'Calla, 
Anton  Muck, 
James  R.  Meldrum, 
Charles  Miller, 
Francis  Marsh, 
Christian  Newhaus, 
Abraham  Osterstock, 
Thos.H.  O'Donald, 


John  J.  Paxson, 
Thos.  C.  Patterson, 
William  Pucker, 
John  Price, 
Jacob  Paulus, 
John  Paulus, 
John  Phleger, 
Frederick  Roesler, 
John  Rupp, 
Thomas  Rewark, 
Samuel  Remaley, 
Powel  Rarick, 
Charles  Rufe, 
John  Ross, 
Ferdinand  Reel, 
W.  H.  Richardson, 
David  Strauss, 
Peter  C.  Sleath, 
Edwin  Schweitzer, 
Edwin  C.  Sandt, 
John  Stem, 
Jefferson  Stem, 
John  Schlamb. 
Sidney  Sandt, 
Llewellyn  Sandt, 
Ira  Schofield, 
Fred  Sheniger, 
Nathan  Seigfried, 
Stephen  Schmidt, 
Peter  Sandt, 
Wm.  Schlechter, 
Charles  Schnable, 
Matthias  Stortz, 
John  Schweitzer, 
Charles  Stump, 
Lewis  Schmohl, 
Lewis  Sponheimer, 
Josiah  Stocker, 
Josiah  Sleeper, 
Theodore  Sigman, 
Benneville  Seibert 
John  Sailor, 
John  Tagg, 
Andrew  Thoman, 
Jacob  Trabold, 
Charles  Unangst, 
John  Unangst, 
Enos  Unangst, 
John  White, 
David  Warrick, 

E.  Werkheiser, 

F.  Williamson, 
J.  J.  Werkheiser, 
Charles  Weidknecht, 
Stephen  Walter, 
Lewis  Werkheiser, 
J.  Williamson, 
Henry  E.  Wagner. 


286 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Ca/>/ain— Charles  H.  Yard. 

William  A.  Bachman. 
First  Lieutenant — Lawrence  Bonstein. 

"  George  A.  Diehl. 

Second  Lieutenant — William  H.  Wyker 

Edw.  W.  Menner. 
First  Sergeant — George  R.  Nicholas. 
"  "  George  Hahn. 

Adam  Ward. 
William  Rockafellow. 
"  "  Benjamin  Derr. 


COMPANY    E 
First  Sergeant— Owen  J.  Weida. 

William  R.  Cahill. 

"  "  Jacob  F.  Bonstein. 

"  Samuel  H.  Barnes. 

Francis  A.  Parks. 

Corporal — George  Steinmetz. 

"  Thomas  Callahan. 

John  F.  Walton. 
"  Owen  Moser. 

"  Mosesjacoby. 

Henry  Hallman. 


William  Adams, 

Peter  F.  Allen, 

Henry  L.  Arnold, 

Charles  Arnold, 

Henry  Bassett, 

H.  Bartholomew, 

David  Broat, 

Isaac  Burk, 

John  D.  Black, 

Joseph  Brown, 

John  Bruch, 

Andrew  Bucher, 

Henry  L.  Beavers, 

Henry  A.  Bachman, 

M.  Berksheimer, 

George  W.  Brooks, 

Andrew  Burk, 

Thomas  BuUman, 

George  Benedict, 

Samuel  Batt, 

Henry  S.  Coburn, 

Edward  Clark, 

John  Callahan, 

John  Cnmmiskey, 

Jeremiah  Cooper, 

George  Coult, 

John  Conigan, 

James  Creig, 

John  Cramer, 

Jacob  Dean, 

William  Deterline, 

Nathan  Derr, 

Charles  Dewey, 

John  Dingier, 

Henry  Duffin, 

Franklin  Edinger, 

Joseph  Engle, 

Edward  A.  Frey, 

George  Fritz, 

Gideon  Fritz, 

Peter  Flynn, 

Charles  H.  Frey, 

George  M.  Falger, 

William  H.  Fowler, 

William  A.  Force, 

L.  Frankenfield, 

Benjamin  Fitzcharles, 

George  Frederick, 

Reuben  Golio, 

Oliver  Graver, 

John  Goodman, 

William  Helwick, 
The  length  of  the  above  company  rolls 
the  case  of  the  Easton  companies  of  the  5I! 
the  omission  of  any  worthy  volunteers. 


PRIVATES. 
Luther  Horn, 
Daniel  W.  Hull, 
James  Hughes, 
George  Hahn, 
Jeremiah  Haney, 
Daniel  Houser, 
Henry  H.  Horn, 
Adam  P.  Heckman, 
Samuel  T.  Hudson, 
David  W.  Huber, 
Jacob  Haggertv, 
Charles  H.  Hubbard, 
Richard  Hahn, 
William  Haggerman, 
Daniel  F.  Harkins, 
Jacob  Hartzell, 
William  Ivey, 
James  Ihrie, 
Benjamin  F.  Jones, 
William  M.  James, 
Abraham  Jacobus, 
W.  Scott  Johnson, 
Peter  Kerkendall, 
John  Kunker, 
J.  iM.  Kerkendall, 
Henry  Kern, 
Matthias  Kirkuff, 
Philip  Keaf, 
John  F.  Krader, 
Henry  A.  Labar, 
Andrew  J.  Lynn, 
George  Long, 
Samuel  L.  Lantz, 
George  W.  Lantz, 
George  W.  Levers, 
John  Lind, 
Luther  Labar, 
Daniel  Lamb, 
John  Monday, 
Eli  Moser, 
Henry  Moyer, 
A.  M'Laughlin, 
Henry  Miller, 
Patrick  Monday, 
Grenville  Moore, 
Lawrence  Moser, 
Philip  L.  Moser, 
John  B.  Mickley, 
Samuel  Minnich, 
John  M'Laughlin, 
Franklin  Moser, 


Corpora/— John  Woolbach. 

Isaac  Smith. 

George  Twaddle. 
"  Reuben  Weiss. 

"  Thomas  Lowery. 

"  William  H.  Eichman. 

"  James  Huff. 

Peter  Lyner. 

Frederick  J.  Scott. 
Musician-WWMam  Wilhelm. 
"  James  Quinn. 


Alvin  M.  Meeker, 
Jacob  Ocho, 
John  Peterson, 
William  Peterson, 
William  Pa.\son, 
Calvin  Reed, 
J.  Rockafellow, 
G.  Rockafellow, 
Joseph  A.  Rogers, 
Jacob  Rinek, 
Henry  Rinek, 
J.  J.  Richards, 
George  B.  Rose, 
Frank  Simons, 
John  Shoeman, 
Joseph  Slayer, 
Martin  S.  Schoch, 
Edward  Smith, 
Valentine  Smith, 
John  Smith, 
Samuel  Stem, 
Edward  E.  Snyder, 
Andrew  Spangler, 
Charles  Steinmetz, 
Fred.  Seabold, 
Richard  Shelling, 
George  Snyder, 
George  Smith, 
Edward  L.  Snyder, 
Thomas  Snyder, 
Charles  Shaffer, 
Aug.  Templin, 
John  Tidabach, 
James  Todd, 
John  Taylor, 
Joseph  A.  Tice, 
Alfred  J.  Tidabach, 
Theodore  Tro.xell, 
Samuel  Transue, 
George  L.  Tilton, 
George  Vogel, 
Albert  Wagner. 
Joseph  E.  Walters, 
John  Wilhelm, 
Charles  Wolf, 
William  H.  Wright, 
William  Ward, 
Josiah  Weaver, 
Henry  Worman, 
George  Young, 
Bernard  Zearfoss. 


s  due  to  the  addition  of  new  names  during  their  term  of  service.     .As  in 
t  P.  V.  it  has  been  thought  better  to  publish  the  rolls  in  full  than  to  risk 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  287 

Their  first  service  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington,  but  upon  the  request  of  General 
Brannan  in  January,  1862,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  accompany  him  to  Key  West, 
Florida.  Here  it  was  busied  in  heavy  artillery  drill  and  lost  many  of  its  men  through 
the  fevers  of  that  section.  In  October,  1862,  while  on  an  expedition  against  the  rebel 
General  Finnegan,  Companies  E  and  K  under  command  of  Captain  Yard,  after  a  sharp 
skirmish,  took  possession  of  Jacksonville,  Florida,  and  thence  proceeded  by  steamer  two 
hundred  miles  up  the  river,  and  captured  the  rebel  steamer  Governor  Milton.  In  the 
same  month  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  vicftory  at  Pocotaligo,  and  was  then  ordered  to 
Key  West  where  it  remained  until  February  25,  1864,  when  it  joined  the  Red  River 
Expedition  under  General  Banks,  and  had  a  prominent  place  in  the  engagement  of  Sabine 
Cross  Roads,  on  the  7th  of  April,  1864,  and  later  made  a  successful  charge  at  Pleasant 
Hill.  On  the  failure  of  the  movement  it  was  ordered  to  Washington,  and  in  July  was 
assigned  to  duty  under  General  Hunter  in  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  at  Opequan 
on  September  19th  the  grand  charge  of  General  Crook's  forces  and  Averill's  cavalry  was 
made  through  the  line  held  by  the  Forty-seventh. 

The  enemy  was  driven  from  Fisher's  Hill  on  the  21st  and  the  pursuit  continued 
during  the  entire  night  until  it  reached  Port  Republic.  Some  further  duty  in  the  valley 
was  performed  after  the  service  under  Sheridan  already  mentioned,  until  Lee's  surrender, 
when  the  regiment  moved  to  Washington,  and  participated  in  the  grand  review.  After 
duty  in  Charleston  it  was  mustered  out  on  the  9th  of  January,  1866.  In  its  long  term  of 
service  it  had  marched  over  1200  miles  and  made  twelve  voyages  by  sea. 

CASUALTIES  AMONG  THE   EASTON  VOLUNTEERS. 

Company  A. — Killed,  Thomas  J.  Bower,  Samuel  E.  Bridinger,  Charles  Detwiller,  Lawrence  Catena,  Ambrose 
Koch,  Daniel  McCaller,  Lewis  Werkheiser.  Wounded,  Samuel  Remaly.  Captured,  Lewis  Bower,  Joseph 
Miller. 

Company  E. — Wounded,  Lieutenant  Edward  W.  Menner.  Killed,  Sergeant  Francis  A.  Parks.  Wounded, 
Corporal  Reuben  Weiss,  Wm  H.  Eichman.  Captured,  Frederick  J.  Scott.  Privates,  killed,  Henry  A.  Bach- 
man,  M  Berkshimer,  Richard  Hahu,  John  Lind,  Samuel  Minnich,  George  B.  Rose.  Wounded,  William  Adams, 
Andrew  Burk,  George  Coult,  Nathan  Derr,  John  Dingier,  William  A.  Force,  Reuben  Golis,  George  Hahn,  John 
Kunker,  J  M.  Kirkendall,  Franklin  Moser,  Jacob  Ochs,  John  Peterson,  Edward  Smith.  Captured,  Henry  L. 
Beavers,  Jacob  Haggerty. 

TWO  HUNDRED  AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT  PENNA.  VOLUNTEERS. 

In  one  of  the  regiments  organized  on  March  2,  1865,  by  the  Union  League  Associa- 
tion of  Philadelphia  for  one  year's  service,  was  a  company  composed  mainly  of  men 
recruited  in  Easton.  Soon  after  its  organization  it  was  ordered  to  duty  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  and  subsequently  to  garrison  duty  in  the  City  of  Washington.  Many  of  its  officers 
and  men  had  seen  a6live  field  service  in  the  early  years  of  the  war. 

MUSTER   ROLL   OF  CO.   H,  214TH  P.  V.,   FROM    BATES'  HISTORY  P.  V. 

Captain— KAviaxd.  Kelly.  Corporal— km&n&as  Kester. 
First  Lieutenant — Henry  L.  Arndt.  "  Thomas  Roth. 

Second  Lieutenant — Joseph  S.  Osterstock.  "  John  L.  Broom. 

First  Sergeant— KAo\-p\\  Buckheister.  "  Stephen  Lynn. 

Sfr^e'an/— Charles  Christian.  "  Charles  Walter. 

"  Frederick  Nauman.  "  August  Baltz. 

William  Wise.  "  Henry  Leh. 

"  Frederick  Voigt.  "  Peter  Kratzer. 

John  H.  Bruch.  "  Charles  D,  Long. 

"  Edwin  A.  Levering.  Musician— S'^Ae.vM^.m  E.  Stocker. 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Henry  Arndt, 
Leonard  Andre. 
Abraham  Arndt, 
Jacob  Buskirk, 
Samuel  S.  Brewer, 
Edwin  Biissard, 
William  H.  Brink, 
Stephen  Brotzman, 
Solomon  Brvfogel, 
Jerome  Brewer, 
John  Conarty, 
Thomas  Connor, 
Nicholas  Depuy, 
William  H.  Doney, 
Amandes  Deibert, 
Charles  David, 
Moses  Darby, 
Benjamin  Dorfer, 
George  Ensley, 
Charles  Frederick, 
Samuel  Frederick, 
Elias  Fourl, 
Alfred  C.  Fry, 
Daniel  Fogerty, 
Christopher  Grimes, 
John  Gaflfy, 
Reuben  Getz, 
Samuel  A.  Gross, 
Matthew  Gouldin, 
Henry  Herger, 


PRIVATES. 
Henry  Hagenbuch, 
Stephen  D.  Hurst. 
Charles  Hull, 
Isaac  Hohenshield, 
John  C.  Houck, 
James  Hennesse, 
John  Haldeman, 
Cornelius  S.  Hartzell, 
Polhemus  Hoaglen. 
Lewis  Hanky, 
Henry  Imbt, 
Martin  Joice, 
John  Judge, 
Levi  H.  Kelchner, 
Freeman  Kresge, 
John  Klotz, 
William  Lynn, 
Ransom  Lavar, 
Michael  Landers, 
Alfred  Metzgar, 
William  Mooney, 
Peter  Mulhatton, 
Jesse  R.  Mills, 
Joseph  Mackes, 
Nicholas  Mann, 
Reuben  Naunian, 
Daniel  Nicholas, 
Jacob  W.  Otinger, 
Peter  R.  Peifer, 


Elias  Ruch, 
William  H.  Rice, 
William  G.  Roberts, 
Reuben  Roth, 
Quintus  E.  Snyder, 
George  Snyder, 
Isaiah  Snyder, 
Moses  Swink, 
Edwin  Seip, 
William  H.  Strohle, 
Daniel  Serfass, 
Henry  F.  Slutter, 
Abraham  H.  Seem, 
George  Shissler, 
Jacob  Serfass, 
James  Sterner, 
Henry  S.  Seifert, 
Ferdinand  B.  Teel, 
George  W.  Unangst, 
Isaac  V'ochts, 
George  Vogel, 
James  Warner, 
Peter  E.  Williams, 
Freeman  Werkheiser. 
Elias  Werkheiser, 
Josiah  Werkheiser, 
William  H.  Young, 
John  W.  Yinger, 
Solomon  Yergty. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  THIRTEENTH  REGIMENT  PENNA.  VOLS.,  I2TH  PENNA.  CAVALRY. 
In  this  regiment,  which  saw  much  aiflive  campaigning  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  in 
its  long  term  of  service  between  November  1861  and  July  1865,  were  volunteers  recruited 
in  Easton  by  Captain  David  Schortz,  an  earnest  and  enthusiastic  soldier,  whose  name  we 
have  already  mentioned.  They  entered  his  command  as  Co.  D,  and  their  names  as  far  as 
they  can  be  gathered  from  Bates'  History  P.  V. ,  are  given  below  : 


COMPANY  D. 


ra/>/a»n— David  Schortz. 
First  Lieutenant — Samuel  Stewart. 
"  "  Jacob  A.  Stewart. 

"  "  Erastus  W.  Kellogg. 

"  "  Augustus  Weiss. 

First  Sergeant — Samuel  Pa.xson. 
Q.  M.  ^i'rftfan/— Frederick  Gashlaur. 
Com.  Sergeant — Joseph  Rouge. 
Sergeants — William  Ehler. 
John  H.  Keiper. 
"  John  Daub. 

Marcus  Schoales. 
"  Benjamin  Walter. 


5e'rg-i?an/i— James  P.  Michler. 
"  Andrew  C.  Heckn 

/j— Edward  F.  King. 
George  Bowes. 
Lewis  Witters. 
Jacob  Lerch. 
John  Wolfram. 
George  Hubbard. 
Henry  Ehler. 
-Jacob  Bauch. 
Blacksmith— 'Sdicoh  Hummel. 
Farrier— \\\\\\s.va  H.  Walter. 


Corpo 


Bugle. 


John  P.  Billings, 
Lewis  Blose, 
Jacob  M.  Bauer, 


Jeremiah  Kutzler, 
Charles  Kohler, 
Peter  Lerch. 


Edward  Stoddel, 
Samuel  Shafer, 
Charles  Smith, 


!i-:rt  X.  si;ii', 

•.V  H,  ,S9TH  PA.   VOI.l 
ni  War  Phougraph.) 


Tilghman  Clymer, 
George  R.  Clough, 
Henry  Duffin, 
Samuel  Dutt, 
James  Donnelly, 
Joseph  Ehrie, 
John  Full, 
John  Fetter, 
Nathan  Ginginger, 
J.  C.  Greinezweigh, 
Andrew  Gashlaur, 
William  Gallway, 
Howe  Gosner, 
Amos  Gosner, 
Jeremiah  Hope, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 

John  Lerch, 
Martin  Meyer, 
Augustus  Moser, 
John  Miller, 
Bernard  Mermarth, 
Charles  Miller, 
Jacob  Meyer, 
■Samuel  Mabus, 
John  Meyer, 
Charles  Miller, 
John  P.  Miller, 
Christian  Ohler, 
Thomas  S.  Paxson, 
Ignatius  Richmond, 
Jacob  Raisner, 


289 


Charles  Saylor, 
Christian  Somerlot, 
John  Stiles, 
John  P.  Straub, 
Lewis  Smith, 
Matthias  Snyder, 
Henry  F.  Smith, 
Henry  Steel, 
Adam  Walter, 
Herman  Wolfram, 
William  Wolfram, 
Thomas  Wagner, 
Jeremiah  Woodring, 
Isaac  Younken, 
Charles  Young. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  EIGHTH  REGIMENT  PENNA.  VOLUNTEERS,  ELEVENTH  PENNA. 
CAVALRY. 
Captain  William  H.  Seip,  promoted  to  Major,  and  afterwards  to  Colonel  of  the  First 
Regiment  U.  S.  Colored  Cavalry,  January  18,  1864,  took  with  him  as  the  result  of  his  re- 
cruiting in  Easton,  a  number  of  volunteers  whose  names  appear  upon  the  roll  of  Company 
H,  Eleventh  Penna.  Cavalry.  The  regiment  was  raised  in  September,  1861,  and  mustered 
out  July  17,  1865,  and  during  that  period  was  acflively  employed  in  North  Carolina  and 
Virginia,  in  the  severe  field  work  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  one  of  the  regi- 
ments privileged  to  close  its  a(ftive  service  at  Lee's  surrender  at  Appomattox. 

FIFTY-NINTH  REGIMENT  P.  V.  2D  PENNA.  CAVALRY. 
In  Company  H  of  this  regiment  were  some  volunteers  from  Easton  who  had  been  re- 
cruited by  its  captain,  Albert  N.  Seip.  It  was  mustered  in  the  fall  of  1861,  and  after  a  brief 
stay  in  Washington,  to  which  place  it  was  ordered  in  April,  1862,  on  June  27  it  crossed  Eong 
Bridge  and  did  picket  and  scouting  service  until  August  5,  in  Virginia,  and  later  made  an 
important  reconnaissance  near  Aldie.  "  Here,"  says  Captain  Seip,  in  his  diary  referred  to 
in  Bates'  History  P.  V.,  "  five  rebels  were  captured  by  a  stuttering  bugler,  who  proposed 
to  surrender  himself,  but  took  such  a  long  time  to  stammer  out  the  word  'surrender'  that 
the  rebels  mistook  his  meaning  and  surrendered  themselves  instead.  The  bugler  called 
loudly  for  help,  and  gained  great  credit  for  the  achievement."  Its  time  passed  in  like 
duty  in  Virginia  until  the  Gettysburg  campaign,  during  which  it  rendered  material  ser- 
vice in  gathering  up  stragglers  and  guarding  prisoners.  In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1863  it 
was  again  on  picket  duty,  and  in  the  spring  of  1864,  with  ranks  recruited  took  part  in  the 
Sheridan  raid.  Its  subsequent  career  was  closely  identified  with  the  history  of  the  cavalry 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  It  was  present  at  the  surrender  at  Appomattox,  and  was 
mustered  out  of  service  on  July  13,  1865,  at  Cloud's  Mills,  Va. 


EASTONIANS    IN   COMPANY   H, 


TAKEN    FROM    BATES'    HISTORY    P.    V. 

864 ;    resigned,    Odtober  4, 


Captain — Albert  N.  Seip,    promoted  from  First  Lieutenant,  September   12 
1864,  to  take  the  position  of  Second  Lieutenant,  Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  A. 

Captain — Aaron  K.  Seip,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,  June  17,  1S64;  to  First  Lieutenant,  Odtober  5 
1864;  to  Captain,  March  15,  1865. 

Sergea>its — Roseberry  Seip,  Franklin  Rinker,  Sylvester  Mohn,  Joseph  F.  Kram,  Benj.  F.  Beitel. 


ago 


Corporals — Jacob  Rinker,  Henry 
Buglers — Francis  Baumeister,  Thom 
B/acismi//i— Parmer  Santee. 
Sadd/ers— John  Kessler,  Joseph  Keir 


David  S.  Afflerbach, 
Peter  Bender, 
William  Beer, 
Jacob  Bauer, 
George  Boas, 
George  Dennels, 
John  Daub, 
William  Ehler, 
Lewis  H.  Fehr, 
Owen  Fehr, 
Tilghman  F.  Fehr, 
Henry  Fehr, 
John  Fetter, 
Charles  Garis, 
Frederick  Gastlauer, 
Amos  Gosner, 
Hall  Gosner, 
J.C.  Greinzweig, 
Isaac  Houser, 
Henry  W.  Haas, 
Andrew  Heckinan, 
Jeremiah  Hope, 


T//B  HISTORY  OF 


Yahraus,   George  W.   Heines,  John  J. 

as  Mover. 


PRIVATES. 

Charles  Hayts, 
Henry  Johnson, 
Charles  Koehler, 
Erastus  Kellogg, 
William  Klingaman, 
Alpha  Keiper, 
William  Lehr, 
Peter  Lerch, 
Jacob  Lerch, 
Joseph  Mauffley, 
John  Montz, 
Charles  Mohn, 
Philip  Mover, 
Simon  Mabus, 
James  P.  Michler, 
Owen  Messinger, 
C.  A.  Newman, 
Samuel  Pa.xson, 
Reuben  Rinkr, 
John  Richter, 
Joseph  Rodenbach, 
Ignatius  Ricmond, 


Mohn,   Abandon  S.   Mover. 


Francis  A.  Romig, 
Joseph  Rounge, 
Daniel  Reese, 
E.  F.  Steinraetz, 
Richard  Searles, 
Peter  Seigel, 
Augustus  Seidel, 
Daniel  F.  Steiner, 
Samuel  SchaefFer, 
Matthias  Schnyder, 
Christian  Somerlot, 
Henry  Steele, 
John  J.  Smith, 
George  Schafer, 
George  H.  Weiss, 
Thomas  Wagner, 
Wm.  H.  Walter, 
Adam  Walter, 
Augustus  Weis, 
Isaac  Younkin, 
Aug.  Zimmerman. 


EASTON  COLORED  VOLUNTEERS. 

Among  the  incidents  of  niilitar}-  service  noted  in  the  Easton  newspapers  is  the  enlist- 
ment of  colored  volunteers. 

George  Hoff,  25th  U.  S.  Colored  Volunteers. 
Gibson  Hoff,  8th 
Charles  Prime,  Sth    " 

Daniel  Prime,  Frank  Dunkens,  Thomas  Dunkens,  Charles  Moss.     Benjamin   Good,   drafted,  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Olustee. 

Other  names  appear  upon  the  muster  rolls  of  the  United  States  colored  troops.  We 
regret  that  we  have  not  access  to  these  names  and  those  of  the  organizations  to  which  they 
belonged.  Some,  we  are  informed,  were  among  the  troops  whose  clean  columns  and  sol- 
dierly tread  won  the  admiration  of  the  army  in  their  march  into  the  crater  before  Peters- 
burg. In  strange  contrast  to  this  reference  to  a  few  among  the  many  thousands  in  service 
toward  the  close  of  the  war  is  the  following  circular  order  issued  to  the  troops  under 
General  Patterson's  command. 

"Headquarters  Dep't  of  Penna.,  Martinsburg,  July  ii,  1861. 
Circular. — Members  of  the  army  have  permitted  negroes  to  be  dressed  in  the  uni- 
form of  the  army.     This  is  prohibited,  and  any  officer  is  called  upon  to  put  an  end  to 
such  degradation  ;  and  guards  are  dire6ted  to  take  from  negroes  uniforms  of  the  army. 
By  order  of 

M.\jOR  General  Patterson. 
F.  J.  Porter,  A.  A.  General." 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


291 


SURGEON  JACOB  R.  LUDLOW. 
Prominent  and  honored  among  the  Surgeons  of  the  Army  for  distinguished  service  in 
field  and  hospital  duty  was  Jacob  R.  Ludlow,  M.  D.  His  services,  as  we  have  seen,  com- 
menced as  surgeon  with  the  First  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  in  April,  1861.  Upon  appoint- 
ment as  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  July  14,  1862,  he  was  assigned  to  duty  successively 
at  Harrison's  Landing,  Hampton,  U.  S.  General  Hospital,  near  Fort  Monroe,  Frederick 
City  after  the  battle  of  Antietam,  Campbell  General  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C,  and  at 
Portsmouth  Grove  Hospital,  Rhode  Island. 

After  a  competitive  examination  at  Washington  he  received  a  commission  as  Bri- 
gade Surgeon  from  President  Lincoln  and  served  as  Chief  of  Corps,  Hospital,  and  Medical 
Inspector  in  therearofVickslnirgdnring  the  siege.     About  Aug.  i,  1863,  he  reported  for  duty 

with  the  staff  of  the  Thirteenth  Army 
Corps,  General  Banks,  Department  of 
the  Gulf  During  this  service  General 
U.  S.  Grant  was  under  his  professional 
care  for  treatment  of  a  contusion  of  the 
hip  caused  by  a  fall  from  his  horse. 
Subsequently  he  served  at  Bayou  Teche 
and  in  Texas  until  January  i,  1864, 
when  he  was  furloughed  through  sick- 
ness until  he  took  the  post  of  Surgeon- 
in-Chief  of  Second  Division,  Fourth 
Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 
The  charge  of  U.  S.  General  Hospital 
No.  3,  Nashville,  Tennessee,  as  Chief 
Surgeon,  detained  him  until  that  hos- 
pital was  closed  after  the  surrender  of 
Lee,  and  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
V.  S.  General  Hospital  for  eruptive 
fe\ers,  in  the  same  city. 

His  term  of  service  overran  four 
\ears,  the  first  three  of  which  were 
])assed  in  active  and  often  hazardous 
field  and  hospital  duty,  and  the  last  in 
supervisory  charge  of  large  General 
Hospitals  of  the  United  States  Army. 
In  the  leading  positions  assigned  him 
he  has  left  full  records  of  patriotic  ser- 
vice and  professional  skill  and  fidelity.  After  muster-out,  November  10,  1865,  in  compli- 
ment to  his  long  and  faithful  services  as  Surgeon,  he  was  commissioned  by  the  President 
as  Lieutenant  Colonel  by  brevet. 

GENERAL   THEOPHILUS  F.   RODENBOUGH. 
Among  the  wounded  in   Sheridan's  rapid  and  victorious  ride  up  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  in    September,    1864,   celebrated    alike   on   canvas,  and    in  story  and   song,   was 


Surge 


292 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Theophilus  F.  Rodenbough,  of  the  Second  Regiment  U.  S.  Cavaln-,  son  of  Charles  Ro- 
denbough,  Esq.,  of  Easton.  As  Lieutenant  of  the  Easton  Grays  his  name  has  appeared 
before  in  these  pages.  March  27,  1861,  he  was  commissioned  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Reg- 
ular Army,  promoted  to  Captain,  and  by  successive  steps  to  Colonel  and  Brevet  Brigadier 
General,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  March  13,  1865.  He  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  163d  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers  of  the  line,  and  18th  Pennsylvania  Cavaln.-,  April  29,  1865,  and  upon 
its  consolidation  with  the  22d  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  June  24,  1865,  became  Colonel  of  the 
3d  Provisional  Cavalry,  the  consolidated  command,  which  after  duty  in  West  Virginia  was 
on  Odlober  31,  1865,  mustered  out  of  service.  He  was  captured  at  the  battle  of  Manassas, 
Va.,  in  August  1862,  exchanged  a  week  later,  and  while  in  command  of  his  regiment, 
wounded  at  Trevillian  Station,  in  June  1864,  and  again  in  September  1864,  at  Opequan, 
losing  his  right  arm  while  leading  a  cavalry  charge.  His  promotions  were  bestowed  in 
the  field,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  under  the 
eyes  of  superior  officers,  by  whom  they  were  recom- 
mended, and  were  merited  by  hazardous  raiding  ser- 
vice and  notable  courage  in  a  long  list  of  battles.  The 
prominent  positions  assigned  him  upon  military  boards 
and  courts  attest  the  high  estimation  of  his  ability  held 
by  the  authorities  at  Washington. 

General  Rodenbough  is  now  upon  the  retired  list 
of  the  army,  with  full  rank  of  Colonel  of  Cavalry,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  the  line  of  duty,  and  is 
widely  known  as  author  of  the  "History  of  the  Second 
Dragoons,  U.  S.  A.,"  one  of  the  best  of  regimental 
records,  and  of  "  Uncle  Sam's  Medal  of  Honor,"  the 
story  of  a  prize  too  little  known  before  the  publication 
of  his  work,  and  "  Afghanistan,  or  the  Anglo-Russian 
Dispute." 

Since  the  war  as  Assistant  Inspedlor  General  of  the 
N.  Y.  State  National  Guard,  originator  and  secretary 
of  the  Military  Service  Institution  of  the  United  States, 
editor  of  the  Army  and  Navy  Journal^  and  of  the  Public  Service  Revie'a\  he  has  won  high 
honors,  and  justified  the  warm  praise  awarded  him  in  the  field  by  Generals  Grant,  Sheridan, 
Meade,  and  others  of  his  superior  ofl[icers. 


Fin 
Colone 
Brevet 
Brevet 


rHKOPHILVS    F.   ROUKNBOUGH. 

Lieutenant  Second  Cavalrv,  U.  S.  A. 
el  of  Cavalry,  Retired  List,  U.  S.  A. 
t  Brigadier  General  U.  S.  Vols. 
Brigadier  General  U.  S.  \. 


LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  H.  WVCKOFF. 
To  the  list  of  Eastou's  representatives  among  the  honored  dead  on  the  field  of  Gettys- 
burg must  be  added  the  name  of  Lieutenant  William  H.  Wyckoff,  who  fell  while  fighting 
with  the  First  Minnesota  Volunteers.  He  was  a  son  of  Dr.  Isaac  C.  Wyckoff.  His  brother 
Major  Charles  A.  Wyckoff,  of  the  Regular  Army,  already  mentioned,  .served  with  distinction 
throughout  the  war. 

KILPATRICK'S  bugler,  sergeant  CHARLES  R.  WERKHEISER, 

enlisted  at  sixteen,  in  the  Second  New  York  Cavalry.     His  four  years  of  service  saw 
livch-  scouting  and  fighting  in  the  famous  Dahlgren  raid  and  in  over  sixty  engagements 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


293 


under  dashing  leaders  of  dragoons,  chief  among  whom  was  General  Kilpatrick.  As  head- 
quarter's  bugler  he  so  won  upon  the  daring  dragoon  that  his  regard  for  the  boy  bugler 
ceased  only  with  his  death,  and  led  his  family  to  give  him  honorable  place  at  his  funeral. 

Another  boy  bugler  of  Easton,  enlisted  at  fifteen, 
while  Sergeant  E.  N.  R.  Ohl  was  assisting  in  recruit- 
ing for  Battery  C,  Fifth  U.  S.  Artillery,  was  A.  Reeder 
Muller,  who  rose  by  merit  to  the  complimentary  rank 
of  Sergeant. 

EASTON    IN    THE    REGULAR   ARMY. 

In  the  Regular  Army  of  the  United  States,  besides 
the  names  mentioned,  Easton  was  represented  b}-  Gen- 
eral Lorenzo  Sitgreaves,  General  Nathaniel  H.  Michler, 
both  distinguished  officers  of  engineers,  of  long  and 
honorable  service,  and  now  both  dead.  Captain  A. 
Parker  Porter  died  during  the  Rebellion  of  disease 
contradled  in  the  service.  As  chief  of  the  Commissary 
Department  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  he  rendered 

kindly  and  efficient  service  to  Easton  volunteers  in  the  ^  ^^  „  „ 

•'  Ephraim  N.  R.  Ohl. 

Fredericksburg  campaign.  Sergeant  Battery  C,  Fifth  U.  S.  Artillery. 

EASTON    IN    THE    NAVY. 

Not  to  the  land  service  alone  were  Easton  volunteers  credited  during  the  Rebellion. 
Many,  upon  the  expiration  of  their  terms  of  service  in  infantry  and  cavalry  regiments, 
enlisted  in  the  navy.  Unfortunately  their  names  are  scattered  throughout  the  lists  of  the 
many  vessels  then  in  service  of  the  navy  of  the  United  States  and  are  not  to  be  had.  We 
know  that  they  were  upon  blockade  duty,  forced  the  passage  of  the  Mississippi  with  Far- 
ragut,  ran  the  Vicksburg  bomb-proof  with  Porter,  and  went  down  with  the  Cumberland. 
At  camp-fires  the  yarns  of  these  jolly  tars  are  heard  in  turn  with  the  "  chin  music"  of 
the  veteran  volunteers. 

In  the  navy  Easton  is  well  represented.  Rear  Admiral  David  B.  Harmony,  now 
A(5ling  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  his  brother  Joseph  Harmony  (who  died  during  the  war), 
both  of  long,  and  varied  and  distinguished  records,  and  sons  of  Major  W.  J.  Harmony, 
whose  title  dates  back  to  an  early  period  in  the  martial  history  of  the  borough  ;  Surgeon 
Michael  C.  Drennan,  honored  by  years  of  skillful  and  faithful  service,  and  others  who 
might  be  named  did  space  permit. 

CONCLUDING  REMARKS. 
Besides  the  organizations  we  have  referred  to,  Easton  was  largely  represented  by  vol- 
unteers who  had  enlisted  singly  in  other  regiments  of  this  and  other  states.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  full  lists  of  these  names,  equally  worthy  with  those  given,  cannot  be  had, 
and  that  the  records  of  our  own  State  are  so  incomplete  that  many  names  are  omitted,  and 
many  casualties  not  noted.  So  far  as  possible  we  have  endeavored  to  supply  these  omis- 
sions in  the  records  of  our  own  volunteers,  but  not  with  complete  success.  Here  and 
there  in  individual  memory  is  treasured  sacredly  some  name  upon  the  unknown  roll,  as 


294 


THE  HISTORY   OF 


the  nation  in  the  soldiers'  cemeteries  rears  mounds  and  marks  tablets  to  the  unknown 
dead. 

In  the  history  of  the  organizations  our  pages  allow  of  the  merest  summary.  The 
utmost  we  can  give  is  but  an  index  to  the  full  historical  records  of  the  country.  No 
important  battle  field  can  be  named  in  which  Easton  has  not  been  represented  ;  no  promi- 
nent general  under  whom  some  of  her  volunteers  have  not  fought.  We  have  seen  them 
in  the  first  of  the  regiments  mustered  in,  and  in  the  last  of  the  regiments  mustered  out, 
quelling  draft  riots  in  New  York,  campaigning  in  the  fever-stricken  swamps  of  Louisiana 
and  Florida,  and  fighting  over  every  inch  of  ground  on  the  great  battle  fields  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland  and  Virginia. 

The  prompt  patriotism  of  her  people  in  furnishing  soldiers  and  in  supplying  their 
wants  must  live  as  proof  of  their  love  of  liberty  and  law,  and  determination  to  uphold  both  at 
every  hazard,  and  as  an  example  to  those  who  may  come  after  them,  that  in  like  peril, 
which  God  avert,  they  may  so  adl  that  this  sacrifice  may  not  have  been  made  in  vain. 
Great  armies  have  always  been  sources  of  great  danger.  It  was  noted  as  a  marvel  that 
the  iron-clad  soldiers  of  Cromwell,  their  warfare  over,  fell  quietly  into  their  old  places 
among  the  people.  How  much  more  room  for  wonder  that  our  millions  of  citizen  sol- 
diery, their  mission  done,  showed  by  their  quiet  disbandment  and  return  to  civil  pursuits 
that  in  learning  the  duty  of  the  soldier  they  had  not  unlearned  that  of  the  citizen. 

THE   EASTON   GRAYS. 

The  war  of  the  Rebellion,  in  which  Easton  did  its  full  duty,  was  so  severe  in  its  actual 
service  that  it  gave  but  little  encouragement  for  the  home  play  of  the  soldier.  As,  how- 
ever, the  best  way  to  avert  war  is  to  be  ready  for  it,  a  National  Guard  has  been  organized 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  through  thorough  drill  and  strict  discipline  under  ofl^cers  schooled  in 
the  field,  is  now  the  best  of  the  State  Guards. 

Among  these  troops,  and  noted  for  the  high  character  and  soldierly  qualities  of  its 
members,  was  Company  F,  of  the  Fourth  Regiment.  It  took  its  name  from  a  company 
already  referred  to  in  these  pages,  and  was  reorganized  in  July,  1873,  under  command  of 
Captain  Frank  Reeder,  who  subsequently  became  General  of  a  Brigade  of  the  National 
Guard. 

Its  soldierly  appearance  attracted  great  attention  in  many  prominent  parades, — nota- 
bly those  upon  the  Centennial  Grounds  in  1876,  where  its  correct  alignment,  the  precision 
of  its  marching  step,  and  clean  columns  clad  in  cadet-grey,  were  warmly  complimented  by 
the  thousands  of  speculators,  many  of  whom  were  themselves  soldiers  of  distinguished 
service. 

At  home,  crowds  watched  with  delight  for  the  glistening  barrels  of  their  Springfield 
breech-loading  rifles  as  their  ranks  descended  from  their  armory  in  the  second  story  of 
Abie's  Opera  House,  for  street  parades,  and  for  years  they  were  the  pride  of  the  borough. 

In  June,  1877,  they  were  suddenly  ordered  from  pleasant  camp-life,  near  the  Delaware 
Water  Gap,  to  active  .service  in  guard  duty  at  Mauch  Chunk  during  the  execution  of  the 
murderers  known  as  "  Molly  Maguires."  They  were  prompt  to  obey,  but  the  law  had  its 
penalty  without  mob  interference. 

In  July  of  the  .same  year  they  .saw  more  attive  work  at  Reading  in  preserving  order 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  295 

during  the  great  railroad  strike.  The  order  for  this  dangerous  and  in  some  measure  disa- 
greeable duty  found  them  again  in  camp-life  near  Stroudsbnrg.  They  left  without  delay 
to  join  their  regiment,  stopping  en  route  at  their  armory  to  procure  ammunition. 

From  an  article  in  the  Daily  Free  Press  of  Easton,  of  July  24,  1877,  headed  "  The 
Strikers'  War,"  we  extract  the  following: 

"  The  Fourth  Regiment,  N.  G.,  Colonel  T.  H.  Good  in  command,  consisting  of  seven 
companies,  one  of  which,  Co.  F,  was  the  Easton  Grays,  arrived  at  Reading  from  Allentown 
about  7  p.  M. ,  yesterday.  After  conference  with  the  railroad  authorities,  it  marched  down  the 
railroad,  and  upon  getting  into  the  cut  between  Walnut  and  Penn  streets,  was  assailed 
with  cobble-stones  and  brick-bats  thrown  by  persons  standing  upon  the  banks  on  either 
side.  The  commanding  officer.  General  Frank  Reeder,  cautioned  his  men  not  to  fire,  but 
to  march  steadily  forward.  A  number  of  the  soldiers  were  struck  with  stones,  and  with- 
out orders,  fired  indiscriminately  down  Seventh  street,  and  up  and  down  Penn  street, 
driving  the  crowd  before  them  finally,  after  firing  two  volleys.  The  loss  of  life  would 
have  been  fearful  but  for  the  high  aim.  As  it  was  seven  of  the  assailants  were  known  to 
have  been  killed  and  twenty-six  wounded.  Others  slightly  wounded  escaped  through  the 
crowd." 

"  Twenty  soldiers  of  the  Easton  Grays  were  wounded  more  or  less  severely.  Among 
them  were  Private  O.  C.  Bunting,  slight  wound  in  right  shoulder  ;  Private  John  Vail, 
severe  wound  in  scalp  ;  Musician  Frederick  Snyder,  slight  wound  in  right  side  ;  Musician 
Charles  Leidy,  severe  wound  in  scalp." 

General  Reeder  in  his  official  report  states  :  "  When  the  command  emerged  from  the 
cut,  we  were  confronted  by  a  very  large  and  excited  mob  who  assailed  us  with  stones  and 
pistol  shots.  They  were  dispersed  by  two  volleys  from  Co.  F,  and  a  sharp  skirmish  fire 
from  the  other  leading  companies.  During  the  passage  of  the  cut  occurred  all  the  adlual 
fighting  of  our  campaign.  The  loss  infli(fted  upon  the  rioters  was  comparatively  severe, 
viz  :  Eleven  killed  anri  fifty-four  wounded,  although  it  was  generally  believed  that  other 
heavy  losses  were  concealed  through  fear  of  punishment  at  the  hands  of  the  civil  authori- 
ties. Of  my  command,  very  few,  probably  not  more  than  fifty  out  of  an  aggregate  strength 
of  two  hundred  and  fifty-three,  commissioned  ofl5cers  and  enlisted  men,  escaped  wholly 
unhurt.  I  was  personally  struck  three  times,  and  my  sword  struck  from  its  scabbard  by 
the  falling  stones  ;  and  every  member  of  my  staff  received  bruises  of  a  more  or  less  serious 
character.  The  proportion  of  those  seriously  injured  was  extremely  small,  there  being  but 
three  commissioned  officers  and  twenty-eight  enlisted  men  unfit  for  duty  the  following 
day,  and  of  this  number  only  two  enlisted  men  failed  to  report  for  duty  before  the  cam- 
paign was  concluded." 

His  report  adds  that  the  troops  "  behaved  with  the  cool  steadiness  and  courage  of  vet- 
erans," and  closes  with  praise  and  thanks  for  courage  and  fidelity  to  the  members  of  his 
staff,  of  whom  from  Easton  were  Major  W.  S.  Hulick,  A.  A.  G.  Major  C.  M.  Anstett, 
Inspector,  and  Walter  S.  WyckofF,  Volunteer  Aid. 

Corporal  R.  E.  James  of  the  Grays  was  detailed  to  accompany  the  wounded  to  their 
homes. 

The  Grays  with  their  regiment  passed  the  night  under  arms,  and  after  marching  to 
various  threatened  points  on  the  following  day,  returned  home  in  the  early  morning  of 


J96 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


July  25,  1877.  Their  cotiducl  in  this  trying  service  was  favorably  contrasted  with  that 
of  most  of  the  other  commands,  whose  sympathy  with  the  strikers  led  them  to  forget  their 
duty  as  soldiers.  The  disbandment  of  this  company  has,  for  the  first  time  in  its  history 
since  Lewis  Gordon  rallied  his  Rifles  to  its  defense  against  the  Indians,  left  Easton  with- 
out a  military  organization  ;  and  the  annals  of  its  soldiery  close  with — 

THE   MUSTER    ROLL   OF   THE   EASTON   GRAYS. 


Captain— V.  A 

.  Stitzer. 

First  Corporal— Vi 

•.  S.  Hulick. 

First  Lieutenant- 

-N. 

P.  Cornell. 

Second      ' ' 

— R 

E  James. 

Second 

_ 

-J. 

H.  Brensinger. 

Third       " 

-E- 

H.  Hammann. 

.  First  Sergeant- 

—William  H.  King. 

Fourth      " 

-J- 

C.  Perdoe. 

Second      " 

— H 

.  C, 

,  Lawall. 

Fifth 

-J- 

Whit  Wood. 

Third 

-J- 

E. 

Bixler. 

Sixth        " 

— 0. 

C.  Bunting. 

Fourth      " 

-J- 

L  Brodie. 

PRIVATES. 

C.  M.  Anstett, 

C.  F.  Chidsey, 

John  Hughes, 

J.  M.  Reese, 

Ed.  Alsfelt, 

A.  D.  Chidsey, 

E.  E.  Hutchinson, 

E.  R.  Reich, 

Clarence  Andrews 

Wm.  Campbell, 

Lewis  Heller, 

Jacob  Ricker, 

Chas.J.  Able, 

J.J.  Cope, 

H.  P.  Hess, 

Edward  Rinker, 

George  Able, 

John  C.  Cavode, 

John  F.  Hess, 

J.  W.  Roberts, 

Frank  Ashton, 

Geo.  Davenport, 

Chas.  B.  Hetrich, 

M.  W.  Rohn, 

George  Alpaugh, 

J.  W.  Dean, 

Wm.  St.  George  Kent 

Olin  Rohn, 

Harry  W.  Barron, 

John  Drake, 

James  P.  Kinsey, 

J.  S.  Rodenbough, 

Hugh  Beers, 

A.  Elliott,  Jr., 

Stephen  L.  Keim, 

Frank  Reeder, 

Ferd.  W.  Bell, 

Jas.  A.  Edelman, 

Frank  Kneedler, 

Lewis  J.  Rader, 

Clarence  Bellis, 

Q.  F.  Ehler, 

Wm.  Kolb, 

C.  E.  Schleicher, 

J.  Howard  Bellis, 

Wm.  Fackenthall, 

Wm.  Kuebler, 

Harry  Seitz, 

Joseph  H.  Bellis, 

Uriah  T.  Fackenthall, 

Chas.  Loudenberger, 

Jacob  Skinner, 

John  M.  Braund, 

Chas.  Fell, 

Chas.  B.  Low, 

Jas.  E.  Smith, 

Harry  D.  Butler, 

J.  W.  Flad, 

Owen  Laubach. 

John  J.  Smith, 

David  H.  Butz, 

Luther  M.  Fine, 

S.  S.  Lesher, 

Winfield  Snvder, 

Frank  VV.  Burke, 

A.  T.  Groman, 

John  Mack, 

C.  J.  Speakman, 

Wm.  M.  Burke, 

Ed.  S.  Glanz, 

H.J.  Messinger, 

J.  K.  Stauff-er, 

Wm.  Beidelman, 

Harry  Haines, 

C.J.  Mei.xell, 

Fred.  Seitz,  Jr., 

C.  W.  Bixler, 

Walter  Hammann, 

Howard  Mutchler, 

Jos.  E.  Starck, 

Ed.  L.  Bi.xler, 

J.  Smith  Hart, 

Robt.  F.  McDonald, 

Edmund  Teel, 

Lewis  Bixler, 

Geo.  W.  Hayden, 

Chas.  A.  Morrison, 

John  Vail, 

Thos.  Ballentyne, 

W.  P.  S.  Henry, 

C.  T.  Nightingale, 

Henry  Voight, 

Robt.  M.  Burrell, 

Wm.  H.  Harrison, 

N.  D.  Parks, 

Chas.  Walters, 

W.  H.  Carhart, 

Al.  Hulsizer, 

James  A.  Pauli, 

Edward  Warne, 

Charles  Crozet, 

H.  B.  Howland, 

S.  B.  Patterson, 

W.  H.  Woodring, 

H.  S.  Cavanaugh, 

Wm.  J.  Hackett, 

James  Parker, 

Jas.  W.  Wilson, 

John  Connelly, 

W.  H.  Hulick, 

Wm.  R.  Parks, 

U.  J.  Wenner, 

Ed.  Carter, 

E.  H.  Hulick, 

Paul  Rader, 

S.  S.  Yohe, 

John  C.  Codding. 

S.  S.  Hartranfl, 

T.  J.  Rader, 

Samuel  Young, 

Wm.  Cawley, 

Robt.  T.  Horn, 

Howard  Reed, 

W.  W.  Young. 

Musicians-\V\\\ 

iam 

Truuibore,  Gilbert  Fulmer,  Fred 

Snyder,  John  Collins, 

Charl 

es  Leidy,  Charles  Lamb, 

Joseph  Snyder. 

(The  above  roll  is 

furnished  from  memory  bv  a  member  of  the  company — the  officers  as 

they  stood  in  1S77,  and  the 

privates  as  enrolled  from  time 

to  time  during  its  term  of  serv 

ice.) 

EASTON   POSTS  OF  THE   GRAND   ARMY  OF  THE   REPUBLIC. 

These  Posts  have  been  among  the  largest  and  most  influential  in  Pennsylvania. 

Bell  Post,  named  in  honor  of  Captain  Ferdinand  W.  Bell,  who  was  killed  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Fredericksburg,  was  established  June  9,  1868,  and  numbered  129  on  the  G.  A.  R. 
roll,  Department  of  Pennsylvania. 

Its  first  Conunander  was  Hon.  Howard  J.  Reeder,  now  one  of  the  Judges  of  our 
County  Court,  and  until   its  dissolution,  January  30,  1S77,  the  subsequent  Commanders 


GEORC.E  \V.   HAYDI-X, 

AS  DRUMMUK  llOV,   COMPANY  11,    I53CI  PA.   VOLUNTEERS. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


297 


were  H.  G.  H.  Tarr,  General  Frank  Reeder,  George  W.  Thatcher,  Major  A.  B.  Howell, 
Sanmel  S.  Lesher,  Joseph  H.  Brensinger  and  William  M.  Shultz. 

Its  roll  numbered  571  members,  and  its  society  room,  situated  in  the  iron-front  build- 
ing eredled  by  Drake  &  Hulick  on  South  Third  street,  was  completely  and  elegantly  fur- 
nished. Many  prominent  military  men  attended  its  camp-fires,  and  its  liberal  charities 
and  entertaining  festivals  made  its  dissolution  a  matter  of  general  regret. 

In  the  interval,  until  its  successor,  Lafayette  Post,  No.  217,  was  organized,  August 
12,  1871,  the  ties  of  old  comradeship  were  not  forgotten,  but  the  lack  of  united  and  syste- 
matic effort  was  strongly  felt. 

The  first  Commander  of  the  new  Post  was  the  last  Commander  of  Post  Bell,  William 
M.  Shultz.  Following  him  were  Frank  Stitzer,  William  N.  Scott,  Jacob  Gangwere,  R. 
F.  McDonald,  Martin  L.  Horn,  and  the  present  Commander,  J.  W.  H.  Knerr. 

Its  large  and  well-appointed  rtiom  is  in  the  old  Masonic  Hall  building  on  South  Third 
street,  the  Faueuil  Hall  of  Easton  in  its  record  of  the  public  work  of  the  borough  in  aid  of  the 
Republic.  The  membership  is  strong  and  growing  and  its  camp-fires  and  celebrations  are 
noted  throughout  the  country.  One  of  these,  on  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Antietam, 
September  17,  1886,  will  long  be  referred  to,  for  its  thousands  in  attendance,  great  num- 
ber and  splendid  equipment  of  Posts  and  other  societies  in  its  marching  columns,  and  dis- 
tinguished men  at  its  camp-fire. 

In  quiet  open-handed  charity  however,  is  its  best  work,  as  many  a  comrade  with  no 
possession  but  a  record  of  patriotism,  can  testify.  In  this  it  is  greatly  aided  by  an  Auxil- 
iary Corps,  composed  of  the  wives,  daughters  and  lady  friends  of  comrades  of  the  Post. 
These  number  several  hundred  and  have  a  large  and  neatly-furnished  room  in  the  same 
building,  and  have  done  much  good  work  through  contributions,  entertainments  and  per- 
sonal service,  for  comrades  and  their  families  in  need  of  relief 

The  Post  does  not  close  its  labors  for  the  volunteers  with  the  funeral  rites  at  the 
grave.  In  conjunction  with  citizens  an  organization  has  been  effedled  to  erecfb  a  monument 
to  the  memory  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  Easton  and  vicinity  who  fell  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion.  From  the  encouragement  given  a  monument  will  without  doubt  be  eredled 
worthy  of  the  place  and  of  the  persons  whose  services  it  will  commemorate. 


One  of  the  youngest  comrades  of  the  Post  in  service  was  George  W.  Hayden,  whose 
picture,  engraved  from  a  photograph  taken  at  Brook's  Station,  Virginia,  in  March,  1863, 
appears  upon  the  opposite  page.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  enlisted  as  a  musician 
in  Company  B,  153d  Penna.  Vols.,  and  throughout  its  term  of  service  was  distinguished 
for  prompt  and  soldierly  discharge  of  duty. 

The  companies  of  the  153d  Penna.  Vols,  had  reported  in  Easton  at  the  time  of  volun- 
teering with  but  one  drummer  apiece.  The  additional  one  for  each  company  was  furnished 
from  Easton  boys  who  volunteered.  Another  of  these — now  the  Rev.  Curtis  V.  Strickland 
of  the  Christian  Church — carries  a  bullet  in  his  hip  received  during  the  charge  of  Stone- 
wall Jackson  at  Chancellorsville,  and  was  for  a  while  in  Libby  Prison. 


EDUCATIONAL. 


1|HE  Common  Schools  of  Easton  were  first  established  in  1755.  Rev.  Henry 
Melchoir  Muhlenberg,  a  Lutheran  minister,  came  to  this  country  in  1742  ; 
Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  a  German  Reformed  minister,  in  1746.  These 
gentlemen,  the  fathers  of  the  German  Churches  in  Peuns\lvania,  were 
greatly  impressed  by  the  want  of  educational  privileges,  and  made  adlive 
and  unceasing  efforts  to  establish  schools  among  the  Germans  of  the 
province. 

About  the  year  1750,  Rev.  Mr.  Schlatter  went  to  Holland,  and  so  pre- 
sented to  the  churches  the  destitute  condition  of  the  people  here  that  a 
plan  was  formed  for  their  instruAion.  In  1751  the  States  of  Holland  and 
West  Friesland  granted  the  sum  of  2000  guilders  per  annum,  for  the  term 
of  five  years,  to  be  applied  to  the  instrucftion  of  Germans  and  their  children.  Additional 
funds  were  raised  in  Amsterdam  ;  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson  was  commissioned  by  the 
Synod  of  Holland,  and  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  solicit  aid  from  the  churches  of  Eng- 
land and  Scotland.  When  he  arrived  in  Great  Britain  he  received  the  warm  encourage- 
ment of  persons  of  the  highest  rank  in  church  and  state.  He  then  went  to  Scotland  and 
represented  his  cause  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  then  in  ses- 
sion at  Edinburg,  so  successfully  that  a  colledlion  of  j£i200  sterling  was  made.  Upon  his 
return  to  London  from  Scotland  Mr.  Thompson  was  called  back  by  his  pastoral  duties  to 
Holland.  He  therefore  urged  the  formation  of  a  society  to  continue  the  work.  Among 
the  members  were  the  Right  Hon.  Earl  of  Shaftesbury,  Earl  of  Morton,  Earl  of  Finlater, 
and  Lord  Willoughby  of  Warham  ;  Sir  Luke  Schaub,  Sir  Joshua  Van  Neck,  Baronets  ; 
Commissioner  Vernon  and  others  ;  Aldermen  of  London  ;  together  with  a  number  of 
ministers  of  different  churches.  After  making  a  liberal  subscription  among  themselves 
they  presented  their  cause  before  the  King,  George  HI.,  who  granted  the  sum  of  _;^iooo. 
The  Princess  Dowager,  of  Wales,  gave  ;^ioo.  Rev.  Mr.  Schlatter  was  appointed  as  a 
visitor  and  supervisor,  a  general  plan  of  operations  formed  and  "Trustees  General" 
named. 

The  first  school  in  Easton  was  established  under  this  scheme  in  1755.  The  school- 
house  was  a  large,  one-story,  log  building  with  a  cellar  under  it,  containing  one  large 
room  used  as  a  church  and  school-room,  and  two  smaller  rooms.  Its  site  was  east  of  the 
present  Reformed  Church,  at  or  near  the  corner  of  Church  and  Sitgreaves  streets.  Mr. 
William  Parsons,  to  whom  reference  has  been  frequently  made  in  this  history,  was  very 
a6live  in  this  movement. 

This  school  house  has  already  been  referred  to  on  pages  17  and  18  of  this  history. 
For  many  years  it  answered  all  requirements,  for  the  population  of  the  town  was  small. 
Of  the  teachers  the  name  of  Robert  Traill  alone  is  now  known.  He  came  to  this  country 
in    1763,   taught  in   this  school   house,  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1777. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


299 


There  was  pressing  need  of  a  better  school.  After  3'ears  of  deliberation  the  Union 
Academy  on  Academy  Hill,  within  the  present  school  grounds  on  Second  street,  was  built 
in  the  year  1794,  mainly  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  English  inhabitants.  The 
building  was  used  for  religious  services  in  the  English  language.  On  July  21,  1798,  per- 
mission was  given  by  the  trustees  "  to  the  present  English  teacher  in  the  academy  to  hold 
meetings  for  worship  in  said  house,  at  any  time  which  shall  not  interfere  with  the  schools." 
The  "  Easton  Religious  Society"  was  formed  August  12,  1798,  and  a  constitution  framed 
which  is  still  to  be  found  in  the  archives  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Easton. 

Mr.  Andrew  Mein  was  the  "  English  teacher  in  the  Academy,"  and  from  this  society 
then  organized,  resulted  some  twelve  years  later  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Easton. 

The  application  of  the  inhabitants  to 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  in 
April,  1811,  was  made  for  a  "teacher 
for  their  children  and  a  preacher  of  the 
Word  of  God,  in  the  English  language." 
This  school  must  have  been  so  well 
conducted  that  it  acquired  a  reputation 
abroad,  for  as  we  have  already  narrated 
in  the  sketch  of  the  life  of  Timothy 
Pickering,  he  moved  his  family  to  Eas- 
ton in  the  year  1800,  that  his  children 
might  attend  the  school.  Of  these  chil- 
dren, one  son,  John  Pickering,  became 
the  author  of  a  Greek  and  English  Lex- 
icon, which  was,  for  many  years,  in 
general  use  in  the  United  States. 

During  the  year  181 1,  Mr.  Stephen 
Boyer  was  chosen  as  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel,  in  the  English  language,  and 
was  ordained.  He  taught  a  sele<5t  class 
during  the  week  in  a  room  in  the  upper 
story  of  the  Academy  building.  By  his 
resignation  and  removal  in  1814,  this 
school  was  broken  up.  It  was  again 
opened  in  1816  as  a  classical  school  by 
Rev.  David  Bishop,  who  had  been  called 
to  succeed  Mr.  Boyer.  Mr.  Bishop 
preached  at  Easton,  Mount  Bethel  and 
Durham,  in  addition  to  teaching  during  the  week.  These  labors  were  too  great  for  long 
continuance.  Aid  was  sought  and  found  in  the  person  of  the  late  Rev.  John  Vanderveer, 
D.  D.,  who  became  one  of  the  greatest  teachers  of  his  generation. 

Dr.  Vanderveer  was  born  in  Hunterdon  Count}',  New  Jersey  in  the  year  1800.  He  pursued  his  preparatory 
studies  at  Amwell  Academy,  N.  J.,  entered  Princeton  College  and  graduated  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  After 
studying  theology  in  the  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  he  came  to  Easton  to  assist  Mr.  Bishop  in  the 
Academy,  of  which  he  was  the  principal.     He  remained  with  Mr.  Bishop  about  two  years,  and  then,  eight  years 


Rev.  John  V.^ndei 


300  THE  HISTORY  OF 

thereafter,  organized  a  private  school  in  the  house  now  occupied  as  a  parsonage  by  the  American  Reformed 
Church,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Fourth  and  Spring  Garden  streets.  The  school  was  small  at  first,  not  con- 
sisting of  more  than  a  dozen  pupils.  There  was  an  opening  for  a  good  school,  and  Mr.  Vanderveer  soon  in- 
spired confidence  in  his  ability  and  adaptation  to  his  chosen  profession  ;  the  number  rapidly  increased  until 
more  than  a  hundred  names  were  enrolled.  His  rooms  were  filled,  and  needing  larger  accommodations,  he 
built  the  large  house  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Second  and  Bushkill  streets,  which  served  as  a  family  residence 
and  for  school  purposes.  Here  he  continued  his  work  as  a  teacher  until  he  retired  from  aclive  life.  Mr.  Van- 
derveer was  a  good  teacher.  In  conversation  with  his  pupils,  many  of  whom  live  in  Easton,  we  learned  some 
of  his  peculiarities,  and  concerning  his  memory  they  speak  with  profound  respect.  He  had  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  every  science  which  he  undertook  to  teach,  and  aimed  to  impress  its  principles  upon  the  minds 
of  his  pupils.  Work  could  not  be  done  in  a  superficial  waj-.  If  a  new  pupil  came  into  his  school,  who  told  of 
the  number  of  times  he  had  been  through  the  arithmetic,  he  would  soon  feel  somewhat  humiliated  by  being 
compelled  to  go  back  to  original  principles,  and  plod  through  addition  again.  It  was  not  so  much  the  amount 
of  work  accomplished,  as  it  was  the  manner  in  which  it  was  done.  The  power  of  close  application,  rigid  inves- 
tigation, and  clear  apprehension  were  points  which  Dr.  Vanderveer  aimed  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  his  pupils. 
And  the  success  which  attended  his  efforts  made  his  school  the  most  remarkable  centre  of  educational  influence 
in  Northeastern  Pennsylvania.  He  was  always  master  of  the  situation.  He  was  quite  severe  with  the  birch  ; 
and,  an  old  pupil  remarks,  "  he  could  do  this  well."  As  years  advanced,  he  modified  his  principle  of  discipline, 
and  acknowledged  at  last  he  had  made  a  mistake  in  his  severity.  He  had  the  habit  of  making  brief  addresses 
to  his  school,  which  are  still  remembered  by  his  pupils.  He  was  acquainted  with  Plato's  method  of  teaching, 
and  introduced  daily  lectures,  which  were  remarkable  for  clearness  of  thought,  and  for  philosophical,  religious 
and  praftical  instruAion.  He  would  take  a  proverb,  or  an  incident  in  the  school-room,  and  impress  some 
wholesome  lesson  on  the  minds  of  his  pupils.  While  the  school  was  busy,  a  loud  rap  upon  the  desk  would  be 
heard,  followed  by  the  order  "Face  to  the  North,"  and  instantly  books  were  laid  aside,  and  all  wheeled  into 
position  to  listen  to  words  quite  as  wise  as  those  of  the  old  Grecian  teacher.  One  of  his  old  pupils  remarks, 
"  That  another  cause  of  his  success  was  his  absolute  independence.  He  could  say  to  his  pupils,  '  If  you  don't 
like  the  arrangements  here,  there  is  the  door  ;  you  are  under  no  obligations  to  attend  this  school.  I  care  not  to 
whom  related,  or  b^-  whom  begot,  if  you  don't  want  to  learn,  and  if  jou  are  unwilling  to  obe\-  m\'  directions, 
leave  at  once.'  There  was  no  trimming  in  that  school  to  tickle  the  vanity  of  any  patron  ;  no  mincing  of  words 
to  curry  favor  with  any  directors.  The  line  of  duty  was  to  him  an  open  highway,  and  those  who  chose  to  ac- 
company him  felt  that  they  were  in  royal  company  ;  laggards  soon  fell  to  the  rear  and  were  lost  to  sight. 
Another  peculiarity  of  Dr.  Vanderveer  was  his  kindness  to  those  pupils  who  were  ambitious  to  learn.  When  he 
found  a  boy  who  was  in  earnest  to  learn,  he  gave  him  loose  reins.  He  seemed  to  take  delight  in  seeing  his  boys 
strive  to  do  more  and  better  work  every  succeeding  day.  Dr.  Vanderveer  was  himself  the  'soul  of  honor,'  and 
he  endeavored  to  impress  the  principles  of  honor  on  the  minds  of  his  pupils.  Whether  at  play  in  the  streets,  or 
at  work  in  the  school-room,  another  watchword  would  ring  in  the  ears  of  his  boys — '  Honor  bright.'  He  was 
thus  always  watchful  and  careful  to  enforce  the  principles  of  honorable  conduct  in  the  daily  intercourse  of  his 
pupils.  He  was  conscious  of  the  fact  that  he  was  engaged  in  the  sublime  work  of  properly  developing  man- 
hood, and  preparing  the  young  men  under  his  care  to  battle  with  the  great  problems  of  life.  His  school  was  very 
noisy,  but  it  was  the  noise  of  study  ;  there  was  no  time  for  idleness  nor  play — the  hours  of  study  were  hours  of 
hard  work."  Edward  F.  Stewart,  President  of  the  First  National  Bank,  was  the  first  pupil  registered.  While 
others  were  visited  with  the  "  rod  "  well  laid  on,  this  first  pupil  was  fortunate  enough  to  escape  unharmed. 

Dr.  Vanderveer  retired  from  teaching  in  1S57.  He  was  several  years  in  the  Board  of  Control,  and  thus 
aided  Ijy  his  experience  the  cause  to  which  he  had  devoted  his  life.  He  lived  twenty -one  years  in  his  retire- 
ment, and  died  April  28,  1S78.  His  long  experience  in  teaching,  and  his  inculcation  of  the  sublime  prin- 
ciples of  virtuous  manhood,  were  in  striking  harmony  with  his  own  life,  which  seemed  based  upon  the  old  Latin 
proverb  :  "Justitia  fiat,  mat  coelum."  And  this  feature  of  his  character  led  one  of  his  old  pupils,  at  the  lime  of 
his  death,  to  say  of  him  : 

"  Noblest  Roman  of  them  all — 
When  shall  we  look  upon  his  Hke  again." 

The  funeral  services  were  condu<5ted  by  Dr.  Edgar,  at  the  residence  of  the  family.  Sixty-eight  of  his  former 
pupils  attended  the  services  in  a  body,  and  followed  the  remains  of  their  former  teacher  to  their  resting  place  in 
the  cemetery. 


^ppro^eK  fo  hAhi^^fe,  G^oll^^^— 1^^7. 


LAFAYETTE  COLLEGE, 


The  author  would  acknowledge  in  this  general  way  the  very  frequent  use  of  Professor  Owen's  "Historical 
Sketches  of  Lafayette,"  Coffin's  "Men  of  Lafayette,"  Mitchell's  historical  and  descriptive  article  in  Scribner's 
Magazine,  for  December,  1876.     Other  helps  will  be  noticed  in  the  progress  of  the  work. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  original  petition  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania for  the  charter  of  a  College  in  Easton. 

"To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania  in  General  Assembly  met.  The  petition  of  the  subscribers,  inhabi- 
tants of  the  said  Commonwealth,  respecflfully  represents. 

"That  a  memorial  has  been  presented  to  your  honorable  bodies  on  behalf  of  the 
Trustees  of  '  Lafayette  College,'  located  in  Easton,  praying  for  an  aS.  of  incorporation. 
Your  petitioners,  believing  that  the  plan  of  education  proposed  to  be  adopted  in  that  insti- 
tution, in  which  military  science  and  tactics  will  be  combined  with  the  usual  course  of 
academical  studies,  and  a  due  attention  paid  to  the  modern  languages,  especially  the  Ger- 
man, will  be  productive  of  much  good  to  the  students  and  the  public  in  general ;  and  that 
such  an  institution  is  much  needed  in  this  section  of  the  State,  pray  your  honorable  bodies 
that  a  charter  of  incorporation  may  be  granted  to  the  said  Trustees,  and  such  Legislative 
aid  be  extended  to  the  funds  of  the  institution  as  you  in  your  wisdom  may  deem  proper." 

The  above  petition  had  its  origin  at  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Easton  at  White's 
Hotel,  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Public  Square,  December  27,  1824.  There  was  a 
feeling  in  the  minds  of  thinking  men  that  Easton  was  to  occupy  a  commanding  position 
in  this  part  of  the  State ;  hence  we  find  that  such  men  as  Sitgreaves,  Porter,  Wolf,  and 
Joel  Jones,  leaders  of  public  opinion — eminent  at  the  bar,  and  successful  in  moulding 
public  taste — earnest  friends  of  education — were  ready  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  aid  in 
promoting  the  cause  which  had  taken  a  strong  hold  in  the  public  mind.  At  the  meeting 
at  White's  Hotel,  Colonel  Thomas  McKeen  was  appointed  President,  and  after  the  matter 
had  been  thoroughly  discussed,  it  was  resolved,  "  That  it  is  expedient  to  establish  at  this 
place  an  institution  of  learning  in  which  the  languages,  and  the  various  branches  of  edu- 
cation and  science  usually  taught  in  colleges,  together  with  the  French  and  German  lan- 
guages, civil  and  military  engineering  and  military  tadlics  shall  be  taught."  It  was  not 
ten  years  since  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  had  thrilled  the  hearts  of  the  American  people 
and  closed  the  war  of  1812.  And  the  military  feeling  was  such  that  the  men  of  Easton 
felt  an  institution  of  learning  must  have  military  science  prominent  among  the  studies 
pursued  in  order  to  meet  the  demands  of  a  young  man's  education.  The  president  of  the 
meeting,  without  doubt,  inspired  the  citizens  with  his  own  patriotic  emotions.  Born  of 
Scotch  blood,  in  the  Emerald  Isle,  he  inherited  that  ardent  love  of  education  and  freedom 
which  is  so  evident  wherever  this  remarkable  people  make  their  home.  And  at  this  dis- 
tance in  time,  we  can  imagine  him  urging  the  military  feature  of  the  college  charter  by 
exclaiming  "a  freeman's  arm  can  best  defend  a  freeman's  home,"  and  that  "a  well 
instructed  citizen  .should  not  only  know  his  rights,  but  should  also  know  how  to  defend 
them."     Joel  Jones  was  the  secretary  of  this  meeting. 

Thomas  McKeen  was  born  June  27,  1763,  and  came  to  this  country  in  his  twentieth  year.  When  he  pre- 
sided at  the  meeting  at  White's  Hotel,  he  was  sixty-one  years  of  age.      It  is  evident  he  was   working   for  the 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


303 


future.  No  doubt  his  mind  dwelt  upon  the  scenes  of  the  future  when  the  fruit  should  ripen,  the  germs  of  which 
plans  he  was  then  planting.  When  he  came  to  America  he  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Easton  and  engaged  in  teach- 
ing, and  afterwards  in  mercantile  pursuits.  In  1815  he  accepted  the  position  of  Cashier  of  the  Easton  Bank,  and  at 
the  death  of  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  in  1S26,  he  became  its  President,  and  retained  the  position  till  1S51,  a  period  of 
twenty-five  years.  Mr.  McKeen  was  eminent  in  busiuess  circles  and  prominent  in  many  enterprises  that  give 
evidence  of  a  generous  heart,  and  a  liberal-minded  citizen.  He  was  an  adlive  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  for  many  years  Treasurer  of  Lafayette  College,  and  one  of  the  most  generous  of  its  early  friends.  He 
died  in  185S,  in  the  ninety-si.Kth  year  of  life. 

Having  resolved  to  found  a  College,  the  ne.vt  question  that  came  before  the  people 
was  the  name  by  which  the  institution  should  be  known.  General  Lafayette  had  landed 
in  New  York  the  previous  summer,  August  i6  ;  his  name  was  on  the  lips  of  every  child 
who  could  speak,  as  on  those  of  the  old  man  trembling  on  the  verge  of  the  grave  ;  it  was 
told  by  maid  and  matron  in  every  home  in  the  land,  by  the  farmer  at  the  plough  and  the 
mechanic  at  his  toil.  A  continued  ovation  marked  his  progress  from  city  to  city  in  the 
republic  for  which  he  had  fought  and  whose  soil  had  been  stained  with  his  blood.  No 
event  had  occurred  since  the  surrender  at  Yorktown  that  had  so  stirred  the  patriotic  emo- 
tions as  the  arrival  of  this  intimate  companion  in  arms  of  Washington.  He  had  been 
wounded  at  Brandywine,  nursed  in  Bethlehem  ;  he  should  be  honored  at  Easton  ;  and  so 
it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  name  the  institution,  Lafayette.  These  men  were  in  ear- 
nest, which  is  evident  from  the  last  resolution  which  was  passed  by  the  meeting.  "  That 
James  M.  Porter,  Joel  Jones,  and  Jacob  Wagener,  be  a  committee  to  draft  a  memorial  to 
the  Legislature  for  a  charter  of  incorporation,  and  for  legislative  aid."  The  Legislature 
granted  the  charter,  March  9,  1826.  This  charter  vested  thirty-five  persons  therein 
named  with  the  usual  powers  of  a  College,  and  to  fill  vacancies  in  their  board  by  elecftion. 
The  names  of  the  Trustees  are  as  follows :  General  Robert  Patterson,  John  Hare  Powel, 
Peter  A.  Browne,  General  Andrew  M.  Prevost,  Benjamin  Tilghman,  Silas  E.  Wier,  John 
M.  Scott,  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  Thomas  McKeen,  Peter  Miller,  Philip  Mixsell,  Jacob  Wey- 
gandt,  Jr.,  John  Bowes,  James  M.  Porter,  Christian  J.  Hutter,  Jacob  Wagener,  George  M. 
Barnet,  John  Carey,  William  Shouse,  Peter  Ihrie,  Jr.,  J.  Worman,  Joel  Jones,  J.  R.  Latti- 
more,  Thomas  L  Rogers,  Joseph  K.  Swift,  M.  D.,  George  G.  Howell,  Peter  S.  Michler, 
Jesse  M.  Howell,  Philip  H.  Mattes,  George  Hess,  Jr.,  Jacob  Kern,  George  Weber,  Anthony 
McCoy,  Walter  C.  Livingston,  and  William  Long.  The  board  met  for  organization.  May 
15,  1826.  Hon.  James  M.  Porter  was  elefted  President,  which  position  he  held  for  twenty- 
five  years  ;  Hon.  Joel  Jones,  Secretary,  and  Col.  Thomas  McKeen,  Treasurer.  Tiie  organi- 
zation was  now  complete,  but  the  Legislature  had  not  made  an  appropriation.  The  pros- 
pedl  was  dark,  but  those  noble  men  went  forward  not  daunted  by  difficulties.  They  must 
selecfl  a  president  who  could  aid  them  in  infusing  life  into  the  new  organization.  In 
February,  1828,  Professor  List  was  eledled,  but  he  could  not  serve.  Dr.  Jaeger  was  then 
offered  the  position,  but  with  the  same  result.  In  January,  1832,  Dr.  John  Gray  named 
to  the  committee  Rev.  George  Junkin,  A.  M.,  as  a  gentleman  eminently  qualified  to  take 
charge  of  the  institution.  Mr.  Junkin  at  that  time  had  charge  of  the  "Manual  Labor 
Academy  of  Pennsylvania,"  situated  at  Germantown.  The  trustees  invited  him  to  come 
to  Easton  and  examine  the  charter  and  location  and  prospe(?ts.  He  came,  had  an  inter- 
view with  the  committee,  and  on  the  6th  of  February,  1832,  the  board  appointed  Mr. 
Junkin  President  of  the  College,  which  position  he  agreed  to  accept  if  the  military  feature 
of  the  charter  could  be  dispensed  with.     This  was  done  by  a  supplement  passed  by  the 


304  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Legislature,  April  7,  1832.  Another  important  step  had  been  taken.  It  had  been  nearly 
six  years  since  the  organization  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  During  these  long  years  these 
patient,  persevering  men,  were  looking  for  a  man  to  take  the  helm  and  guide  the  vessel 
through  the  storms  which  might  rise  before  them. 

"Of  my  family  I  know  but  little,"  said  Dr.  Junkin.  "Heraldry  has  not  blazoned  its  name.  Edmon'sbook 
contains  it  not."  But  if  not  written  in  earthh-  books  of  heraldry-,  the  names  of  many  of  his  ancestors  are  re- 
corded in  a  more  ancient  and  enduring  volume — the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life.  His  liueage  was  of  that  stalwart, 
godly,  and  heroic  race,  the  Puritans  of  Scotland — the  men  and  women  who  braved  persecution  for  Christ's 
crown  and  covenant  ;  and,  despite  the  curses  of  the  Charles'  and  the  claymores  of  Claverhouse,  witnessed  so 
long  and  so  steadfastly  for  God  and  His  truth.  When  George  the  Second  was  on  the  British  throne  ;  when 
Pennsylvania  was  a  proNdnce  only  fifty-six  years  old  ;  when  the  Susquehanna  flowed  through  an  almost  unbro- 
ken wilderness,  there  crossed  that  river,  at  Harris'  Ferry,  now  Harrisburg,  two  youthful  Scotch-Irish  immigrants 
— Joseph  Junkin  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife.  A  previous  immigration  of  Junkins  had  halted  and  acquired  lauds 
upon  a  part  of  which  the  town  of  Oxford  now  stands.  This  Joseph  Junkin  came  from  Antrim  county,  Ireland. 
His  father  and  mother  had  immigrated  to  that  country  from  Scotland  during  the  persecution  under  the  Stu- 
arts. They  were  Covenanters  of  the  straightest  type,  and  left  their  countrj-  for  their  conscience  sake.  This  im- 
migration occurred  some  time  before  the  revolution  of  1688.  The  Junkin  family  had  resided  near  Inverness,  but 
the  name  is  probabl}-  of  Danish  origin  ;  they  were,  most  likely,  of  the  number  of  those  adventurers  from  Den- 
mark which,  at  an  early  period,  took  possession  of  parts  of  the  coast  of  North  Britain.  The  paternal  grand- 
mother of  Dr.  Junkin  was  Elizabeth  Wallace,  also  of  Scotch  parentage,  her  mother  having  come  from  Scotland 
previous  to  the  siege  of  Londonderry  ;  for  she  was  in  that  city,  and,  with  her  family,  endured  the  horrors  of 
that  siege,  successful  resistance  to  which  gave  William  of  Orange  that  vantage  which  established  him  upon  the 
British  throne,— the  champion  of  the  Protestant  religion  and  the  liberties  of  the  world.  She  heard  the  booming 
of  many  a  cannon  of  the  allies  of  the  Stuarts  ;  and  she  saw  from  the  walls  of  glorious  old  Derry  the  smoke  of 
the  most  important  guu  ever  fired, — the  lee  gun  of  the  Mountjoy,  whose  rebound  righted  the  ship,  broke  the 
boom,  relieved  the  starv-ing  city  and  garrison,  forced  the  allies  to  raise  the  siege  and  fall  back  upon  the  Boyne 
where  the  arms  of  William  and  liberty  triumphed,  and  couipleted  the  glorious  revolution  of  1688.  From  such 
an  ancestry  George  Junkin  was  descended,  which  may  serve  to  explain  the  source  of  his  unflinching  courage, 
untiring  zeal,  and  his  aggressive  force,  which  carried  him  through  the  exciting  scenes  of  his  life,  and  impressed 
his  name  upon  an  institution  which  will  stand  as  his  monument,  more  enduring  than  one  of  brass  or  marble. 
George  Junkin  was  born  in  a  stone  building  near  Kingston,  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  i, 
1790.  The  force  of  charafter  inherited  from  his  ancestors  was  developed  under  the  influence  of  parents  whose 
religious  charadler  was  as  remarkable  as  their  patriotism.  His  parents  were  governed  by  the  principle  announced 
by  Solomon  :  "  Bring  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it."  Their 
religious  emotions  were  awakened  into  life  amid  the  throes  of  revolution,  and  intensified  by  bitter  persecution. 
In  no  class  of  men  in  the  history  of  the  modern  church  did  the  flame  of  pure  religion  bum  more  brightly  than 
in  the  lives  of  those  men  who  fought  for  religious  freedom  at  Londonderry,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  Boyne.  In 
the  midst  of  such  influences,  in  the  seclusion  of  primeval  forests,  George  Junkin  spent  the  days  of  his  early  life. 
Reared  amid  such  surroundings,  hard  toil  and  self-denial  became  a  pleasure  in  the  service  of  the  Master.  Ad- 
herence to  duty  was  the  pole  star  of  his  life,  and  he  followed  its  light  with  the  spirit  of  a  martyr.  In  May,  1S09, 
he  entered  the  grammar  school  of  Jefi"erson  College.  Ross'  Latin  Grammar  was  put  into  his  hands  and  no  other 
duty  assigned  him.  He  was  required  to  commit  certain  parts  to  memory  and  recite  by  rote.  His  teacher  never 
took  a  book  into  his  hands,  having  the  whole  committed  to  memory.  No  explanations  were  made  until  the 
grammar  had  been  twice  recited  through.  The  third  time  the  examples  under  syntax  rules  were  parsed  and 
most  of  the  notes  committed.  And  Dr.  Junkin  remarks  :  "  After  all  my  experience  I  think  it  best  to  study  lan- 
guage first  and  afterwards  the  philosophy  of  language."  In  College  he  soon  developed  a  taste  and  talent  for 
writing  and  discussion,  which  made  him  somewhat  distinguished  among  his  fellows.  He  was  noticed  in  col- 
lege as  a  grave  and  rather  reserved  youth,  intent  upon  study,  and  full  and  accurate  iu  his  recitation.  His 
powers  of  generalization  and  analysis  and  his  logical  acumen  were  early  developed  which  made  him  of  mark  as  a 
rea.soner  ;  and  he  was  conceded  to  be  the  best  debater  in  college.  In  September,  1S13,  he  passed  his  final  ex- 
aminations, and  was  admitted  to  the  first  degree  in  the  arts.  He  shortly  afterwards  went  to  New  York  to  study 
theology  with  the  great  Dr.  Mason.  It  is  suggestive  of  the  great  change  in  tlie  mode  of  travel  to  read  the  ex- 
perience of  young  Junkin  in  traveling  from  Philadelphia  to  New  York.  "We  left  Philadelphia  at  daylight, 
crossed  the  Delaware  at  New  Hope  and  lodged  the  first  night  at  Somerville  ;  the  next  day's  journey  brought  us 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


305 


to  Paulus  Hook,  on  the  shores  of  the  Hudson,  opposite  New  York  City."  Early  in  June,  1816,  he  received  in- 
formation that  Dr.  Mason  was  about  to  make  a  voyage  to  Europe.  He  did  not  wish  to  spend  his  time  at  the 
Seminary  in  the  absence  of  his  favorite  teacher,  and  so  he  concluded  to  be  licensed  and  go  to  work  and  finish 
his  studies  after  Dr.  Mason's  return.  On  September  i6th  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbvterv  of  Mo- 
nongahela.  He  spent  his  first  Sabbath  at  Butler,  Pa.,  where  he  preached  twice  in  the  court-house;  the  next 
Sabbath  was  spent  at  White  Oak  Spring,  six  miles  from  Butler.  Here  a  rostrum  was  erefted  in  the  wild  woods 
but  a  flourishing  congregation  was  established  on  the  spot  afterwards.  In  the  same  autumn  he  was  at  Carlisle 
and  preached  for  Rev.  Mr.  DufSeld.     While  sitting  in  the  study  of  Mr.  Duffield  he  was  informed  of  the  fall  of 

the  Rev.  Mr. ,  a  most  brilliant  and  talented  minister,  from  the  effeifls  of  alcohol.     The  sad  event  made 

a  deep  impression  on  the  mind  of  Mr.  Junkin,  and  before  he  rose  from  his  seat  he  settled  the  question,  that  by 
the  help  of  God,  he  would  never  drink  intoxicating  drinks  except  under  the  most  urgent  medical  advice.  It 
was  a  universal  habit  to  give  liquor  to  visitors  as  a  token  of  hospitality,  but  it  may  safely  be  believed  that  Mr. 
Junkin  kept  his  word.  On  Oiflober  17,  1819,  Mr.  Junkin  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Milton,  Pa.,  but 
before  his  formal  installation,  he  had  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  pastorate  with  a  zeal  and  energy  which  was 
never  relaxed  until  the  hand  of  death  was  laid  upon  him  nearly  half  a  century  afterwards.  At  the  time  of  his 
entrance  upon  his  duties  there  was  no  house  of  worship  belonging  to  his  people.  He  preached  in  a  schoolhouse 
in  the  winter  season,  and  in  the  summer  in  a  log  house.  Whisky  drinking  was  almost  universal.  At  funerals 
the  whiskey  bottle  and  tumbler  were  passed  as  a  matter  of  course,  and  many  a  time  men  might  be  seen  goino- 
from  the  house  of  death,  sadly  under  the  influence  of  liquor.  It  soon  became  evident  that  there  must  be  a 
change,  either  in  the  people  or  the  pastor.  It  needed  a  moral  earthquake  to  make  his  people  see  the  state  of 
things  in  a  proper  light.  The  earthquake  was  near  at  hand.  He  was  called  upon  to  attend  a  funeral  service 
where  the  whiskey  bottle  and  tumblers  made  their  appearance.  While  gazing  upon  the  incongruity  of  the 
scene,  and  looking  upon  the  alcohol  standing  so  near  the  cold  remains  of  the  dead,  deeming  it  an  insult  to  God 
and  a  curse  to  man,  he  refused  to  engage  in  the  services  and  left  the  house.  There  was  another  clergyman 
present  who  could  condu(ft  the  service,  but  Mr.  Junkin  had  gained  his  point.  The  people  were  startled,  and 
awoke  as  from  a  dream.  Intense  excitement  was  caused  by  the  bold,  determined  action  of  the  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  People  began  to  inquire  into  the  reason  which  aiftuated  the  pastor.  The  Northumber- 
land Presbytery,  after  a  stormy  debate,  passed  resolutions  of  temperance  reform.  This  is  thought  by  some  to 
be  the  first  temperance  movement  by  ecclesiastical  a(5lion  in  the  country.  But  the  Quakers,  disgusted  at  the 
sight  of  drunkenness  at  funerals,  had  taken  adlion  in  a  milder  form  many  years  before  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  Junkin  had  to  endure  the  pelting  of  a  serious  storm  of  persecution,  but  he  bore  it  with  meekness  and  chris- 
tian patience.  He  was  a  born  leader,  who  was  safe  to  follow,  though  he  sometimes  led  through  stormy  and  un- 
trodden paths.  He  was  conscientiously  and  intensely  religious.  He  carefully  studied  the  path  of  duty  and 
walked  in  it  with  an  unfaltering  step.  His  salary  was  inadequate  for  his  support  ;  he  bought  a  farm,  and  while 
building  a  barn  was  taken  sick  with  a  serious  attack  of  bilious  fever.  He  had  employed  a  Mr,  William  Thomas, 
a  pious  Baptist,  who  attended  his  church,  to  build  his  barn.  Mr.  Junkin  requested  that  Mr.  Thomas  should  lead 
the  family  devotion  in  the  apartment  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  so  that  he  might  hear  and  enjoy  the  service.  One 
morning  Mr.  Thomas  asked  his  apprentice,  Matthew  Laird,  to  condudl  the  service.  Mr.  Junkin  remarked  to 
his  wife — "That  young  man's  prayer  went  to  my  heart,  it  was  fervent  and  tender,  and  if  God  spares  my  life, 
that  j'oung  man  shall  enter  the  ministry."  The  vow  was  fulfilled.  That  prayer  of  Matthew  Laird's  was,  in  a 
certain  sense,  the  starting  point  of  Lafayette  College,  as  it  was  the  first  link  in  the  chain  of  Divine  Providence 
that  led  him  into  the  department  of  education.  He  took  Matthew  Laird  and  Daniel  Gaston  under  his  care  to 
study  for  the  ministry.  He  prepared  an  apartment  in  his  new  barn  which  might  serve  as  a  carpenter  shop, 
where  the  young  men  could  work,  and  by  exercise  keep  up  the  tone  of  their  system  by  healthy  labor,  and 
pay  the  expenses  of  their  course.  In  following  up  this  idea,  his  mind  was  attraded  to  the  Manual  Labor  Acad- 
emy of  Pennsylvania,  located  at  Germantown.  The  idea  of  combining  with  study  the  health-preserving  labor 
of  the  hands,  and  so  contribute  to  the  expenses  of  education,  got  possession  of  his  mind,  and  residted  in  the 
founding  of  Lafayette  College. 

The  trtistees  then  leased,  for  two  years,  the  farm  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Lehigh, 
owned  by  Christopher  Medler,  and  placed  it  at  the  disposal  of  Mr.  Jnnkin,  that  he  might 
conducfl  the  operations  of  the  College  upon  the  principle  of  manual  labor.  In  March 
President  Junkin  came  to  Easton,  brought  a  number  of  young  men  from  Germantown 
with  him  and  went  to  work  in  earnest  on  the  college  premises ;  so  successful  were 
they  in  their  work  that  the  regular  exercises  of  the  College  began  May  9,  1832.     The 


3o6  THE  HISTORY  OF 

session  opened  with  forty-three  students,  most  of  whom  came  from  Germantown  with 
him.  The  number  soon  increased  to  fift^'-six,  and  there  were  also  during  the  year  eleven 
day  scholars,  so  that  Lafayette  had  an  attendance  of  sixty-seven  pupils  in  the  first  year 
of  her  history. 

We  learn  from  the  first  annual  report  and  accompanying  catalogue  that  "on  Monday, 
0<5lober  8,  1832,  the  examination  of  the  students  took  place  at  the  College,  commencing 
at  9  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  continuing  to  a  late  hour  in  the  afternoon."  In  the  evening  the 
first  annual  exhibition  took  place  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Easton.  And  it  is  a 
matter  of  interest  that  the  first  oration  delivered  in  the  history  of  the  College  was  "On 
the  Qualifications  of  a  Christian  Missionary,"  by  Charles  F.  Worrell,  of  New  Jersey. 

The  following  was  the  order  of  exercises :  An  oration  by  Andrew  Barr,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, "  Benefits  of  the  American  Tariff  System."  An  oration  by  Oliver  W.  Stevens,  of 
Georgia,  "In  Opposition  to  the  Tariff,  and  Advantages  of  Tree  Trade."  An  oration  by 
William  D.  Howard,  of  Philadelphia,  "  Evils  of  the  Civil  War  in  the  United  States."  A 
strange  arrangement  of  topics  in  the  light  of  the  then  near  future.  An  oration  by  John 
J.  Carrell,  of  Bucks  county,  Penna.,  "Importance  of  the  Missionary  Enterprise."  This 
shows  the  beating  of  the  nation's  pulse  fifty-si.x  years  ago. 

From  this  first  annual  report  we  have  an  account  of  the  work  done  in  the  labor  depart- 
ment. An  inventory  of  the  principal  material  wrought  up  by  the  students  within  the 
year,  namely  :  117,639  feet  of  lumber  cost$i545.43;  640  trunk  locks,  handles,  etc.,  $240.00; 
145  pounds  of  nails,  $87.00;  Petna  and  Madrass  goat  skins,  $587.00;  two  hundred  and 
twenty-five  morocco  skins,  $191.00;  manufactured  articles  (dry  goods  boxes)  610;  book 
bo.xes,  151;  quill  boxes  (cotton  fadlory)  80;  hat  boxes,  132;  trunk  boxes,  970;  candle 
boxes,  84.  Total,  2027.  There  were  640  trunks  finished,  740  lights  of  sash,  10 
cultivators,  2  wheelbarrows,  i  cutting  box,  i  horse  rake,  10  bedsteads,  5  long  dining 
tables,  25  study  and  kitchen  tables,  2  wash  stands,  i  kneading  trough,  i  large  writ- 
ing table,  15  benches.  Then  follows  a  report  of  farm  and  garden  work  :  100  loads  of 
manure  spread,  2400  bushels  of  lime  spread,  25  tons  of  hay  cut,  320  bushels  of  potatoes 
raised,  8  acres  of  corn  cut,  6  acres  of  oats,  25  acres  of  wheat  and  rye.  This  shows  an  ear- 
nest effort  on  the  part  of  the  president  to  solve  the  problem  of  a  manual  labor  college. 

It  will  be  interesting  to  the  students  of  to-day  to  examine  the  studies  of  those  early 
days  and  compare  them  with  the  present.     The  curriculum  is  as  follows : 

Freslimcn.  First  Term:  hSiim — Odes  of  Horace.  Greek — Minora.  Neilson's  Exer- 
cises, Roman  Antiquities,  Mythology,  Ancient  Geography.  IMathematics — Euclid,  First 
Book. 

Second  Term:  Latin — Satires  and  Epistles  of  Horace,  Cicero's  Orations,  Roman 
Antiquities.  Greek — Majora,  viz  :  Xeuophou,  Herodotus,  Thucydides.  Neilson's  Exer- 
cises— Antiquities.  Mathematics — Euclid  Second  and  Third  Books,  .\lgebra  to  Simple 
Equations. 

Sophomore  Class.  First  Term:  Latin — Horace's  Art  of  Poetry,  Tacitus'  History. 
Greek — Majora,  viz  :  First  Volume  completed,  Greek  Antiquities.  Mathematics — Euclid, 
Fourth,  Fifth  and  Sixth  Books. 

Second  Term:  Latin — Tacitus'  History.  Greek — Majora,  Second  \'olume.  Plane 
Trigonometry,  Algebra  througli  p;quatious.  Evidences  of  Ciiristianity. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  307 

Junior  Class.  First  Term:  Latin — Cicero  de  Officiis.  Greek — Majora,  Second 
Volume.  Surveying,  Mensuration,  Conic  Se6lions,  Mental  Philosophy,  Logic,  Evidences 
of  Christianity. 

Second  Term:  Greek — Longinus  deSublimitate.  Spherical  Trigonometry,  Analytic 
Geometry,  Differential  and  Integral  Calculus,  Moral  Philosophy,  Rhetoric,  Natural  The- 
ology. 

Senior  Class.  First  Term:  Latin — Cicero  de  Oratore.  Greek — Majora,  Medea. 
Natural  Philosophy,  Chemistry,  Mental  Philosophy,  Rhetoric. 

Second  Term:  Natural  Philosophy,  Mineralogy,  Botany,  Political  Economy,  History 
Reviewed,  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy,  Evidences  of  Christianity. 

A  preparatory  course  and  a  teachers'  course  were  also  arranged  and  the  teachers  were 
to  receive  a  normal  training  for  their  work.  It  was  impossible  to  fill  the  position  of  pro- 
fessor in  German  literature  the  first  and  second  year,  and  hence  it  is  not  mentioned  in  the 
curriculum. 

The  Faculty  of  the  College  consisted  of  Rev.  George  Junkin,  D.  D.,  President,  and 
Professor  of  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy,  Logic,  Rhetoric,  and  Evidences  'of  Chris- 
tianity. 

Mr.  Charles  F.  M'Cay,  A.  B.,  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy. 

Mr.  James  Coon,  (later  Kuhn,)  A.  B.,  Professor  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages. 

Samuel  D.  Gross,  M.  D.*  Professor  of  Chemistry,  Mineralogy  and  Botany. 

Mr.  Daniel  Gaston,  Business  Agent,  f 

The  third  semi-annual  examination  occurred  on  October,  7,  1833,  in  the  College 
building,  south  of  the  Lehigh.  In  the  evening  of  the  same  day  there  was  a  public  exhi- 
bition in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Easton,  which  was  the  second  annual  commencement 
of  the  young  College. 

This  exhibition  closed  the  third  term  of  the  college  in  its  temporary  quarters,  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Lehigh.  In  looking  for  a  permanent  place  whereon  to  erecft 
the  College  buildings.  Mount  Lafayette  was  wisely  chosen,  and  nine  acres  of  land 
were  purchased  for  $1400,  and  the  work  of  building  soon  began.  People  may  look  in 
vain  for  a  place  more  beautiful  by  nature  than  this  lovely  spot.  Literally  encircled  by 
mountains,  beautiful  in  their  wild  irregularity,  and  charming  variety,  ever  changing  in 
their  outline,  as  the  observer  changes  position.  Mount  Lafayette  presents  attra6lions  unsur- 
passed in  the  wealth  of  her  natural  scenery.  And  then,  winding  on  either  side  are  the 
sparkling  waters  of  the  Delaware,  Lehigh  and  Bushkill,  overshadowed  by  lofty  mountain 
crags,  or  adorned  by  villages,  farm  houses  and  furnaces,  along  their  banks,  the  lofty  col- 
umns of  steam  from  the  passing  engines,  moving  like  the  cloudy  pillar  in  the  wilderness, 
and  the  columns  of  dark  smoke  rising  from  busy  furnaces  on  the  Lehigh,  present  scenes 
at  which  the  eyes  may  daily  gaze,  but  never  weary  while  they  look.  Those  men  knew 
how  this  locality  might  be  made  yet  more  attractive  by  art.  Their  imagination  could 
easily  pidlure  these  beautiful  maple  groves,  blooming  shrubbery,  winding  foot-paths  and 
carriage  ways,  green  lawns,  and  stately  buildings ;  and  if  Dr.  Junkin  allowed  his  imagi- 

*  Dr.  Gross  became  an  eminent  physician  and  surgeon  in  Jefferson  Medical  College,  in  Philadelphia.  He 
died  recently,  having  ordered  his  body  to  be  cremated,  which  was  done  in  the  crematory  of  Washington,  Pa. 

t  Mr.  Gaston  died  in  1865,  in  Philadelphia,  having  been  remarkably  successful  as  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  Cohocksink. 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


ready  for  occupancy  in  May,  1834. 


nation  to  dwell  upon  the  additional  beauties  which  art  might  bring,  there  is  no  wonder 
that  he  should  so  frequently  speak  of  "lovely  Lafayette." 

Preparations  were  soon  made  to  ereft  suitable  buildings  on  this  advantageous  spot. 
In  June,  1833,  Dr.  Junkin  broke  ground  for  the  new  building.  It  was  nearly  nine  years 
since  the  first  meeting  at  White's  Hotel.  The  progress  seemed  slow,  but  every  step 
was  wisely  taken,  and  that  which  had  been  gained  had  been  tenaciously  held.  On 
the  morning  of  June  27,  Judge  Porter  laid  the  first  stone.  On  July  4,  the  corner  stone 
was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  A  procession  was  formed,  made  up  of  the  College 
authorities,  students,  citizens,  civil  and  military  organizations  of  the  vicinity.  The  pro- 
cession was  formed  at  the  court  house,  then  standing  in  Centre  Square.  The  procession 
moved  at  half-past  nine  a.  m.  to  the  College  grounds,  the  corner  stone  was  laid,  addresses 
were  delivered  by  Dr.  Junkin  and  Rev.  B.  C.  Wolf.  The  procession  then  returned  to  the 
German  Reformed  Church,  and  at  half-past  eleven  o'clock  Hon.  Joseph  R.  Ingersoll,  of 
Philadelphia,  delivered  an  oration.  The  building  was  urged  on  with  such  zeal  as  to  be 
Professor  Owen,  in  his  Historical  Sketches  of  Lafay- 
ette College,  expresses  the  opinion  that  without  the 
aid  of  Judge  Porter  the  college  could  not  have  been 
built.  "The  structure  (now  the  central  part  of  South 
College)  was  112  by  44  feet,  with  a  recess  of  17  by 
49  feet.  The  basement,  first  and  second  stories,  of 
limestone,  rough  laid,  Und  the  third  and  fourth  sto- 
ries of  brick,  the  whole  rough  cast.  There  were  si.\ 
recitation  rooms,  a  chapel,  refectory  hall,  stewards' 
rooms,  apartments  for  the  president  and  other  offi- 
cers of  the  college,  and  about  fifty  rooms  for  students. 
This  building  was  the  pride  of  the  town.  At  its 
completion  it  was  brilliantly  illuminated  by  the 
students,  who  made  the  day  one  of  great  festivity  and  rejoicing."*  After  the  build- 
ing was  completed,  the  inauguration  of  the  faculty  took  place,  the  membership  being 
the  same  as  already  mentioned.  The  manual  labor  system  was  continued.  Dr.  Junkin 
was  a  warm  advocate  of  this  system,  and  was  determined  to  give  the  problem  a  satis- 
factory solution.  It  had  met  with  a  partial  failure  at  Germantown,  but  that  was 
attributed  to  disadvantages  of  location,  and  not  to  any  defect  in  the  system  ;  he  was 
determined  to  try  it  under  more  favorable  surroundings.  The  trustees  were  in  full 
sympathy  with  the  president.  They  spoke  in  the  warmest  terms  of  the  good  results  on 
the  health  and  economy  of  the  students,  in  promoting  mental  and  bodily  activit)',  and 
"developing  a  manly  independence  of  character."  The  arguments  by  which  the  system 
was  sustained,  could  not  be  successfully  assailed,  nothing  but  the  severe  school  of  experi- 
ment could  satisfactorily  test  its  weak  points ;  where  logic  failed,  experience  succeeded  in 
discovering  the  fallacy  ;  and  after  a  trial  of  five  more  years  on  Mount  Lafayette,  the  pres- 
ident was  obliged  to  admit  its  failure  as  a  part  of  college  life.  The  system  of  manual 
labor  led  him  to  Easton,  and  Providence  seems  to  have  used  it  as  mathematicians  do  the 
the  symbol  of  the  unknown  quantity  in  algebraic  manipulations,  till  the  equation  is 
.solved,  and   it  was  then   dismissed.      In   1839,  on  his  recommendation    the   system   was 

*  Owen's  Sketches. 


Lafayette  College— 1850. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  309 

abandoned  by  the  trustees.  But  the  college  had  been  established,  and  though  minor 
measures  might  change,  its  vitality  could  not  be  injured.  There  were  many  dark  days 
for  it  to  pass  through,  but  the  trustees  were  determined  to  succeed.  Dr.  Junkin  resio-ned 
in  1841  to  accept  the  presidency  of  the  Miami  University,  Ohio.  He  was  recalled  in 
1844,  and  remained  at  the  head  of  the  college  till  1848,  when  he  again  resigned,  and 
accepted  the  position  of  president  of  Washington  College,  Virginia.  But  wherever  he 
was  his  heart  turned  toward  Easton,  as  he  often  wrote  of  "lovely  Lafayette."  His  con- 
nexion with  the  college  had  been  one  constant  scene  of  anxiety,  there  had  been  serious 
obstrudlions,  severe  discouragements,  but  this  noble  man  toiled  on,  praying  daily  for  suc- 
cess. He  spent  $10,000  of  his  private  funds,  and  continued  until  prudence  bade  him 
stop.  In  a  Baccalaureate  sermon,  he  compares  the  progress  of  the  college  to  a  "  traveller 
who  spends  his  long  and  toilsome  day  in  passing  from  mountain  crag  to  mountain  crag, 
without  appearing  to  have  gained  in  elevation  or  distance;"  and  he  adds  in  a  tone  of 
sadness,  "shelving  crag  and  rolling  rock,  and  mountain  torrent,  and  chilling  iceberg,  and 
deep,  dark  ravine  we  have  encountered." 

In  1837  the  prospedls  were  so  dark  that  he  offered  in  a  meeting  of  his  friends  in 
Philadelphia,  to  relinquish  the  enterprise,  if  they  thought  best,  but  they  urged  him  to 
continue,  and  not  to  sacrifice  what  had  been  done  to  accomplish  an  objecfl  of  such 
immense  importance.  Among  those  who  thus  advised  were  Rev.  Drs.  Archibald  Alex- 
ander and  John  Breckinridge.  Both  very  strongly  opposed  the  idea  of  abandoning  the 
enterprise. 

Dr.  John  W.  Yeomans  succeeded  Dr.  Junkin,  and  was  inaugurated  August  18,  1841. 
He  resigned  in  1844,  and  Dr.  Junkin  was  unanimously  re-elected  president.  Rev.  Charles 
W.  Nassau,  D.  D. ,  vice  president  of  the  faculty,  was  elected  president  on  March  13,  1849, 
but  was  not  inaugurated,  and  resigned  in  September,  1850.  '  The  patronage  of  the  collecre 
was  now  quite  small.  In  1848,  the  four  classes  numbered  82  ;  in  1850,  the  number  had  fallen 
to  24.  At  this  rate  the  end  seemed  inevitable.  At  this  time  the  subject  of  Parochial 
Schools,  Presbyterial  Academies  and  Synodical  Colleges,  was  very  earnestly  advocated  by 
many  leading  minds  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  presidents  of  the  college  had  been 
Presbyterians,  the  professors  and  patrons  were  numerously  of  this  denomination,  and  there 
seemed  nothing  to  hinder  making  Lafayette  a  Presbyterian  institution,  and  placing  it  under 
the  care  of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia.  The  legislature  made  the  desired  change  in  the 
charter,  and  in  1850,  Lafayette  was  received  under  the  care  and  patronage  of  this  ecclesias- 
tical body.  This  must  be  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  important  steps  in  the  history  of 
the  institution,  one  that  was  full  of  hope.  Under  the  new  order  of  things.  Rev.  D.  V.  Mc- 
Lean, D.  D.,  was  ele<5led  president,  and  inaugurated  in  1851.  He  at  once  undertook  to 
raise  $100,000  as  a  permanent  endowment  fund  by  the  sale  of  scholarships.  The  payment 
of  $100  entitled  the  holder  to  the  privilege  of  educating  his  own  sons,  or  the  sons  of  any 
person  to  whom  he  might  transfer  the  certificate  without  further  tuition  fees.  This  matter 
was  urged  with  such  zeal  that  the  whole  sum  was  pledged  by  January  i,  1854,  and  Monday, 
January  2,  was  a  day  of  rejoicing.  In  the  evening  the  buildings  were  illuminated,  and  the 
faculty  and  students  assembled  in  Brainerd  Hall,  where  they  were  addressed  by  Mr.  Edsall 
Ferrier,  a  member  of  the  Senior  class,  and  in  response,  by  the  president.  In  the  evening 
there  was  a  torchlight  procession.  This  movement  brought  the  college  conspicuously  before 
the  public  again,  and  in   1856  the  number  of  students  reached  106,  the  highest  number 


3IO 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


yet  attained.  But  the  pecuniary  advantage  was  only  temporan'.  It  was  borrowing  money 
to  be  paid  by  the  tuition  fees  of  pupils  for  many  years  to  come ;  so  that,  while  the  students 
increased  in  number,  expenses  also  increased,  the  income  from  tuition  was  almost  entirely 
cut  off.  When  Dr.  McLean  resigned  in  1857,  the  college  was  without  funds.  Students 
came  with  scholarships,  the  income  from  which  had  been  applied  to  the  payment  of  debts, 
leaving  but  a  small  productive  fund  ;  the  plan  had  been  of  questionable  advantage,  and  the 
darkness  returned. 

In   1857  the  duties  of   the   presidency   were  assigned  to  the  Rev.   George  Wilson 


^^^ 


James  H.  Coffin,  LL.  D. 
Professor  1S46-1873. 

McPhail,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  who  three  years  earlier  had  become  first  pastor  of  the  Brainerd 
Church.  He  was  formally  inaugurated  in  1858,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  his  office 
until  the  summer  of  1863. 

It  was  during  his  presidenc\-  that  the  civil  war  broke  out.  The  echo  of  Confederate 
guns  in  Charleston  Harbor  had  roused  the  North  and  West.  In  every  town  and  city 
could  be  heard  the  drum  beat  calling  men  to  arms.  The  farmer  literally  left  the  plow  in 
the  furrow,  the  mechanic  laid  down   his  tools,  clerks   closed    their  ledgers,  bade  adieu  to 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


31] 


dear  ones  at  home,  and  Imrried  to  the  front  to  endure  the  toils  of  the  camp  and  tlie  liazard 
of  battle.  Academies  and  colleges  gave  np  their  students,  the  best  blood  of  the  nation 
to  rescue  the  Republic  from  the  grasp  of  treason  and  save  it  in  the  hour  of  peril.  No 
college  in  the  land,  in  proportion,  sent  so  many  of  her  sons  to  the  field  as  did  Lafayette  ; 
and  the  stately  monument  in  front  of  South  College  tells  the  story  of  their  devotion.  In 
1863,  there  was  no  commencement,  the  boys  were  at  the  front.  This  absence  of  students 
was  not  from  the  want  of  interest  in  Lafayette,  but  from  a  greater  interest  in  the  salvation 

of  the  Republic.  Lafayette 
might  have  had  no  mis- 
sion, if  the  government 
were  lost.  They  would 
first  save  the  Republic, 
then  come  back  and  save 
Lafayette  ;  and  so  the  stu- 
dents who  should  have 
graduated  in  '63,  returned 
and  took  their  degrees  the 
following  year.  But  other 
circumstances  combined 
with  the  war  to  make  this 
the  darkest  period  of  the 
history  of  Lafayette.  She 
had  stood  at  the  portals  be- 
fore, she  now  seemed  to 
have  entered  the  dark  val- 
ley. The  condition  of  the 
college  was  so  alarming, 
friends  so  disheartened, 
that  the  question  of  clos- 
ing the  doors  was  freely 
discussed.  For  this  pur- 
pose a  meeting  of  the  trus- 
tees was  called  in  Phila- 
delphia, at  which  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to 
confer  with  Dodlors  Coffin, 
March  and  Coleman,  with 
reference  to  keeping  the 
college  in  operation  an- 
other year.  The  question 
to  settle  was,  can  we  pay  their  salaries?  The  life  of  "  Lovely  Lafayette  "  was  placed  in 
the  hands  of  this  trio  of  noblemen,  who  resolved  to  proceed  regardless  of  the  amount  they 
might  receive,  and  keep  the  college  doors  open  at  all  hazards.  Lafayette  "still  lives." 
These  three  names  are  familiar  in  both  hemispheres— Coleman,  Coffin,  March.  Two  of 
them  have  gone  to  their  final  reward,   the  third,  the  leading  Anglo-Saxon  scholar  of  the 


^is  K.  March,  LL.  D.,   L.  H, 
iiparative  Philology  and  Engli 


312  THE  HISTORY  OF 

world,  still  stands  at  his  post.  Tempted  by  offers  of  higher  positions,  and  b\-  others  again, 
of  larger  salary,  he  remains  in  the  position  he  has  honored  so  long,  and  which  has  done  so 
much  to  give  Lafayette  her  eminent  and  foremost  position  in  the  Philological  world. 

In  looking  for  a  president  a  kind  Providence  fixed  the  attention  of  the  trustees  upon 
Rev.  William  C.  Cattell,  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Presbyterian  Church  in  Harrisburg.  The 
trustees  had  gone  through  dense  darkness  many  times  ;  their  faith  had  been  so  tested 
as  to  remind  them  of  the  Hebrew  Patriarch,  but  light  was  beginning  to  beam  on  the  near 
future.  Dr.  Cattell  was  inaugurated  August  26,  1864.  He  knew  the  needs,  the  sore 
trials  through  which  the  college  had  gone  for  he  had  previously  been  a  member  of  her 
faculty  for  five  years ;  he  knew  and  loved  the  noble  men  who  had  sacrificed  so  much. 
He  knew  the  trials  before  him.  He  brought  with  him  a  warm  heart,  a  strong  faith,  a 
determined  zeal,  the  sympathy  of  a  large  circle  of  friends,  and  a  willingness  to  toil  hard 
for  success.  The  star  of  hope  seemed  to  have  arisen.  Gov.  Pollock,  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees,  was  the  prophet  of  the  occasion,  and  did  much  to  lift  the  veil  which 
covered  the  future,  when  he  said  :  "The  hour  of  darkness  and  gloom  has  passed;  and 
to-day,  within  her  walls  all  is  harmony  and  peace ;  and  at  this  hour,  and  in  analogy  with 
nature  now  robed  in  sunshine  and  smiling  after  the  storm,  the  light  of  a  genial  sun  now 
pouring  down  upon  us  through  the  riven  and  scattered  clouds,  Lafayette  College  stands 
revealed  in  the  light  of  returning  prosperity,  and  all  without  betokens  favor,  success  and 
triumph  !" 

The  new  era  seemed  to  have  received  the  seal  of  Divine  approbation  in  a  most  gra- 
cious revival,  which  "was  perhaps  the  most  remarkable  of  the  revivals  that  have  charac- 
terized the  recent  history  of  the  college."  This  warm  religious  life  has  been  a  source  of 
joy  to  many  a  household,  when  the  news  came  of  the  conversion  of  their  sons ;  and  many 
Christian  mothers  have  uttered  earnest  prayers  for  the  prosperity  of  the  college.  With 
this  religious  prosperity  came  temporal  advancement.  The  number  of  students  in  1863 
was  39,  in  1875  it  was  318.  The  prosperity  of  Lafayette  was  seen  quite  as  clearly  in  the 
increase  of  her  buildings,  as  in  the  growing  numbers  of  her  students.  An  incident  should 
be  here  mentioned,  as  it  was  the  beginning  of  a  movement  which  has  dotted  the  hill  with 
beautiful  and  costly  buildings.  Let  President  Cattell  tell  his  own  story.  At  a  banquet 
given  to  him  in  Philadelphia,  in  1869,  on  the  eve  of  his  departure  for  an  extended  tour 
in  Europe,  President  Cattell  said:  "In  the  Fall  of  1864,  I  became  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Ario  Pardee.  It  was  at  a  period  when  the  clouds  of  our  civil  war  hung  low  and  dark  in 
the  horizon,  shrouding  the  whole  country  in  gloom.  It  was  a  dark  period  for  Lafayette 
College,  too.  I  had  labored  for  nearly  a  year  with  all  the  energy  God  had  given  me;  and 
so  insignificant  were  the  results  that  it  seemed  scarcely  possible  the  college  could  exist 
much  longer.  You  can  therefore  judge  of  my  personal,  as  well  as  my  official  gratitude, 
to  Mr.  Pardee  when  I  tell  you  that  at  this  first  interview,  this  noble  man  placed  in  my 
hands  his  obligation  for  $20,000.  I  read  the  paper  over  and  over,  and  the  more  I  read  it 
the  less  I  could  comprehend  the  situation.  I  was,  sir,  as  one  that  dreamed.  And,  indeed, 
how  I  got  home  that  day  I  can  scarcely  remember.  I  do  remember,  however,  that  when 
I  reached  home  and  showed  the  letter  to  the  one  whose  gentle  sympathies  had  cheered 
me  in  so  many  hours  of  discouragement,  and  was  the  first  to  know  and  share  my  new  joy — 
I  well  remember  that  we  two  knelt  down  together,  and  from  my  full  heart  there  went  up 
the  prayer  that  God  would  reward  and  bless  the  generous  donor,  and   that  prayer   I  have 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


313 


not  ceased  since  that  time  to  offer  daily."  This  was  merely  the  beginning  of  that  re- 
markable generosity  which  has  made  the  name  of  Ario  Pardee  so  dear  to  the  friends  of 
this  college. 

James  H.  Coffin,  LL.  D.,  was  born  September  6,  1806,  at  Williamsburg,  Mass.  He  was  the  son  of  Matthew  Coffin 
and  Betsey  Allen.  He  attended  common  schools  in  his  childhood  when  his  health  would  permit,  for  he  was  a  feeble 
boy.  When  he  was  nine  years  old  he  manifested  the  religious  turn  of  mind  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable  in  mature 
life.  At  this  early  age  he  began  to  read  the  Bible  systematically,  and  read  it  through  six  or  seven  times.  To  those 
who  remember  his  earnest  religious  life,  it  will  be  no  surprise  to  read  of  his  constant  habit  of  prayer  in  solitude  in  his 
boyhood.  During  his  fourteenth  year  he  was  engaged  in  working  on  the  farm,  when  his  father  died.  His  mechanical 
tastes  inclined  him  to  learn  a  trade,  but  this  was  relinquished,  and  he  went  to  live  with  his  uncle.  Rev.  Moses  Hal- 
lock  of  Plainfield,  Mass.  Here  he  began  the  life  of  a  student.  He  entered  Amherst  College  in  1823,  and  graduated 
August  27,  1828.  He  was  then  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  had  little  or  no  means  of  his  own  when  he  entered  col- 
lege. Friends  promised  to  aid  him,  but  the  promises  were  not  all  fulfilled,  and  he  supplied  the  deficiency  by  teaching. 
He  taught  the  academy  at  Ogdensburg,  New  York,  and  here  began  those  meteorological  investigations  which  he  pur- 
sued the  remainder  of  his  life.  Wliile  at  Ogdensburg  he  showed  his  mechanical  skill  by  inventing  and  erecting  a  self- 
registering  vane,  which  showed  the  number  of  hours  and  minutes  that  the  wind  blew  from  each  of  the  thirty-two  points 
of  the  compass  during  the  twenty-four  hours  of  each  day.  This  enabled  him  to  investigate  the  connection  between  the 
direction  of  the  wind  and  other  phenomena  of  the  region.  The  observations  on  the  evaporation  at  this  place  furnished 
the  data  on  which  the  committee  of  the  New  York  Senate  relied  in  preparing  their  report  on  the  water  supply  for  the 
Genesee  Valley  canal  in  the  winter  session  of  1839-40.  From  1839  to  1843  he  was  connected  with  Williams  College, 
and  it  is  surprising  to  observe  the  amount  of  work  accomplished  in  that  brief  period.  The  articles  he  there  published 
are  as  follows  :  An  article  on  the  winds  of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  was  published  in  the  Regents  Reports  for  1840 ; 
a  series  of  articles  published  in  the  Piltsfield  Sun,  entitled  "  Meteorological  Observations  and  Researches  in  Williams 
College  ;  an  elaborate  article  on  the  "  Climate  of  the  State  of  New  York"  ;  a  map  showing  the  central  tracks  of  the 
solar  eclipses  over  the  United  States  during  the  present  century  ;  "  Astronomical  Tables,"  1842  ;  an  unpublished  trea- 
tise, entitled  "The  Moon"  ;  an  abridgement  of  the  above,  entitled  "  Solar  and  Lunar  Eclipses"  ;  a  treatise  on  "Conic 
Sections."  Greylock  Peak,  of  Saddleback  mountain,  which  rises  not  far  from  the  college,  is  about  thirty-three  hun- 
dred feet  high,  and  to  ascertain  the  course  and  velocity  and  humidity  of  the  winds  during  the  winter  on  this  summit, 
he  had  erefted  a  lofty  observatory,  and  on  its  top  fixed  numerous  self-registering  instruments,  mainly  of  his  own  devi- 
sing. These  were  arranged  in  autumn,  and,  on  account  of  deep  snow  were  not  visited  till  spring,  when  he  found  the 
apparatus  had  worked  during  the  entire  winter  as  satisfactorily  as  when  first  put  in  place.  He  taught  in  Norwalk, 
Connecticut,  from  1843  to  1846,  when  he  became  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy  in  Lafayette  Col- 
lege. He  had  prepared  the  way  to  enlarge  the  field  of  his  study  so  as  to  include  the  winds  of  the  entire  globe.  He 
was  forty  years  of  age  when  he  began  his  labors  in  Lafayette,  and  he  spent  twenty-seven  years  of  attive  toil,  taking 
charge  of  his  classes  and  extending  his  researches  in  meteorology.  Through  all  these  years  he  pursued  his  investi- 
gations with  an  energy  which  never  flagged,  and  succeeded  in  gathering  a  large  mass  of  information  of  great  value  to 
the  scientific  world.  Correspondence  was  carried  on  with  all  parts  of  the  world.  There  was  no  part  of  the  earth, 
scarcely  an  island  of  the  sea,  where  observations  had  not  been  made,  and  the  results  laid  before  Professor  Coffin.  At 
the  College,  instruments  of  the  most  delicate  and  accurate  construction,  measured  the  force  and  direcSlion  of  the  cur- 
rents of  air.  The  investigations  of  such  a  mind  as  his,  carried  on  with  such  earnestness  and  constancy,  throughout 
forty  years,  resulted  in  laying  before  the  world  an  immense  amount  of  new  information.  The  consequence  was  that 
more  light  has  been  shed  on  the  subject  of  the  winds  than  ever  before  in  the  progress  of  science.  His  object  was  to 
establish  the  fact  that  the  diflferent  winds  are  regulated  by  laws  as  uniform  as  those  which  control  the  currents  of  the 
ocean.  The  New  Y'ork  Times  of  February  8,  1873,  said  :  "  He  was  a  man  of  such  extreme  modesty  that  he  was  never 
estimated  by  the  public  at  his  true  worth.  It  is  to  him,  in  a  great  measure,  that  we  owe  the  important  position  which 
the  science  of  meteorology  has  of  late  years  attained.  His  work  on  '  The  Winds  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere'  was  one 
of  the  earliest  efforts  to  ascertain  and  fornmlate  the  laws  of  the  winds,  and  is  still  an  authority  on  the  topic  of  which  it 
treats.  As  a  mathematician  he  was  surpassed  by  no  man  in  the  accuracy  of  his  investigations,  and  his  text-book  upon 
'  Analytical  Geometry'  is  a  model  of  clearness  and  brevity  of  style.  The  simplicity  of  his  character  made  him  wholly 
indiflferent  to  fame,  but  among  men  of  science  he  was  known  as  a  student  whose  acquirements  were  inferior  to  no  living 
mathematician,  and  as  a  demonstrator  who  never  made  an  error."  Thus  the  duties  he  owed  to  his  classes,  a  study 
sweeping  over  the  surface  of  the  globe,  and  extended  astronomical  and  mathematical  investigations  were  carried  on 
with  entire  success.  This  remarkable  man  quietly  and  unostentatiously  pursued  his  work  until  his  name  became  so 
well  known  in  the  scientific  world.  "  The  Results  of  Meteorological  Observations,  1854-59,"  '542  pages  quarto,  was 
published  by  order  of  the  United  States  Senate.  The  late  Rev.  N.  S.  McFetrldge  very  beautifully  illustrated  this  by 
an  allusion  to  the  classics  :  "  jEolus  is  said  to  have  given  Ulysses  all  the  winds  excepting  Zephyrus  ;  but  on  his  way  to 
Ithaca,  Ulysses  fell  asleep  in  his  boat,  whereupon  his  covetous  comrades,  thinking  it  was  gold  in  his  ox-hide  bag, 
opened  the  bag  and  allowed  the  winds  to  escape.  It  was  reserved  for  James  H.  Coffin  to  gather  up  these  wild,  wan- 
dering winds,  and  trace  their  courses,  and  present  them  to  us  clothed  with  regular  and  beautiful  laws."     But  however 


314  THE  HISTORY  OF 

exalted  the  character  of  Professor  Coffin  became  in  the  fields  of  science,  it  shone  still  more  clearly  as  a  moralist  and  a 
Christian.  This  feature  of  his  character  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  world,  after  his  death,  which  took  place  on 
February  6,  1873,  when  he  was  66  years  old.  He  was  a  member  of  several  learned  societies  in  America  and  Europe, 
and  one  of  the  first  elected  to  membership  in  the  National  Academy  of  Sciences.  On  his  tombstone  in  the  Easton  Cem- 
etery is  placed  a  monogram  illustrative  of  his  chief  discovery  of  "  The  Law  of  the  Winds,"  and  also  an  inscription  taken 
from  the  eulogy  of  U.  S.  Senator  Trumbull,  of  Illinois,  when  the  latter  moved  adoption  of  a  resolution  of  condolence  in 
the  meeting  of  the  Regents  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  Any  notice  of  Dr.  Coffin  would  be  incomplete  without  a 
mention  of  his  private  character.  At  an  early  age  he  became  connected  with  the  church,  and  to  the  close  of  his  life  he 
remained  a  sincere  and  devout  Christian.  He  was  a  ruling  Elder  in  the  Brainerd  Church.  The  New  York  Tribune 
said  :  "  As  a  private  man  his  characteristics  were  kindness,  integrity,  and  honor."  Another  well  said  :  "  The  College 
has  lost  a  staunch  friend— one  whose  name  has  given  her  renown.  Dear,  precious,  old  man,  whose  gray  hairs  were  a 
crown  of  glory,  has  gone  from  the  toils  of  earth  to  the  rest  of  heaven."  Dr.  T.  H.  Hawkes,  an  intimate  friend 
says  :  "  It  seems  to  me  that  a  more  faultless  chara(fter  it  has  not  been  my  privilege  to  meet.  I  am  glad  that  in  him  have 
been  illustrated  the  largest  scientific  attainments  in  connection  with  the  simplest  and  most  beautiful  faith  in  Jesus." 
He  left  two  children.  Professor  Selden  J.  Coffin,  and  a  daughter,  the  wife  of  Rev.  John  C.  Clyde,  D.  D.,  of  Blooms- 
bury,  N.J. 

Francis  A.  March,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Millbury,  Mass.,  October  25,  1825,  and  studied  in  the  public  schools  of 
Worcester,  Mass.  Through  Hon.  Alfred  D.  Foster,  one  of  the  examiners  of  these  schools,  he  was  sent  to  Amherst 
College,  graduating  in  1S45  with  the  highest  honors  ;  he  then  taught  two  years  in  Leicester  Academy,  Mass.,  and  two 
years  as  tutor  in  Amherst  College  ;  then  studied  law  in  New  York  City,  where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  October, 
1850,  and  began  practice.  In  December,  1851,  being  attacked  with  hemorrhage,  he  spent  the  winter  in  Cuba,  then 
went  to  Florida;  taught  three  years  in  Fredericksburg,  Virginia.  In  1855  he  became  tutor  in  Lafayette;  in  1856  was 
appointed  Adjunct  Professor  of  English  Literature,  and  in  1858  to  the  Professorship  of  the  English  Language  and 
Comparative  Philology,  which  is  claimed  to  be  the  first  instance  in  this  country  in  which  the  English  Classics,  in  the 
light  of  Modern  Philology  was  co-ordinated  with  that  of  the  Greek  and  Latin.  His  earliest  publication  was  "  The 
Relation  of  the  Study  of  Jurisprudence  to  the  Origin  and  Progress  of  the  Baconian  Philosophy." — New  Eng lander, 
October,  1S4S.  He  published  and  advocated  a  plan  of  pacification  for  the  country,  in  the  New  York  Times  and  The 
World,  in  1S60-1.  He  has  contributed  numerous  articles  in  Philosophy  and  Philology  to  the  American  Review.  His 
published  works  are  a  "Method  of  Philological  Study  of  the  English  Language,"  1865  ;  "A  Parser  and  Analyzer  for 
Beginners,"  1869;  "Comparative  Grammar  of  the  Anglo-Sa.\on  Language,"  London,  1870;  and  an  "Anglo-Saxon 
Reader,"  New  York,  1870.  He  edited  the  Douglass  Series  of  Christian  Classics,  embracing  Latin  Hymns,  Eusebius, 
Athenagoras  and  TertuUian,  1871-6.  Professor  March  has  been  connected  with  Lafayette  College  over  a  third  of  a 
century  ;  and  during  that  time  he  has  roamed  through  the  Elysian  fields  of  literature  with  youthful  enthusiasm  and 
untiring  industry.  And  now  at  sixty-two  years  of  age,  he  is  recognized  as  the  leading  linguist  of  America.  He 
received  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1870.  A  writer  in  the  New  York  Times  quite 
recently  made  an  earnest  effort  to  ascertain  who  is  the  most  eminent  philologist  in  the  United  States.  His  object  was 
to  obtain  the  critical  opinion  of  such  a  man  on  the  merits  of  the  new  universal  language,  Volapiik.  The  consensus  of 
opinion  favored  Professor  March.  Professor  W.  D.  Whitney  was  also  a  popular  choice  for  the  first  place.  As  the 
writer  was  giving  the  result  of  his  own  investigations,  and  not  his  personal  opinion,  he  thought  it  but  fair  to  give  the 
exact  words  of  the  answers  to  his  inquiries  which  were  uttered  as  follows  :  "  Professor  March  is  one  of  the  foremost 
philologists  of  the  world,  and  probably  the  finest  Anglo-Saxon  scholar  of  his  day."  The  writer  makes  the  inquiry, 
"Who  is  Professor  March?"  Not  one  in  a  thousand  in  the  United  States  can  tell.  A  brief  reference  is  made  to  him 
in  most  of  the  American  cyclopiedias  and  biographical  collections.  The  English  Blue  Book  of  talent,  "  Men  of  the 
Time,"  gives  him  a  few  words  of  description.  The  writer  would  have  been  content  with  this  meagre  data  had  he  not 
accidentally  procured  an  advance  slip  from  the  next  edition  of  the  "  Dizionario  Biographico  Degli  Scrittori  Contan- 
poranei,"  prepared  by  the  Italian  scholar,  de  Gubernalis.  The  strangest  feature  of  it  all  is  that  Professor  March 
should  be  so  widely  quoted,  and  regarded  as  the  highest  authority  in  Europe,  and  yet  so  little  known  fifty  miles  from 
his  own  home.  Dr.  March  is  a  zealous  advocate  of  phonetic  reform,  has  been  president  of  the  Spelling  Reform  Asso- 
ciation, and  is  at  present  chairman  of  the  Commission  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  on  Amended  Orthography,  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  and  the  American  Antiquarium  Society.  There  are  in  this  country  only 
two  honorary  members  of  the  Philological  Society  of  London — the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  Professor  Whitney,  of 
Yale.  Professor  March  is  also  vice-president  of  the  "  New  Shakspere  Society"  of  London.  The  American  Philological 
Society  was  organized  in  i86g.  Professor  Whitney  was  its  first  president.  Professor  March  was  president  in  1873-4. 
The  term  of  office  is  one  year,  and  no  president  has  yet  filled  the  position  for  more  than  one  term.  Not  the  least  diffi- 
cult and  important  of  Dr.  March's  life  work  was  the  organization  and  superintendence  of  the  large  corps  of  American 
readers  for  the  new  English  Dictionary  now  in  process  of  publication  by  the  University  of  Oxford.  More  than  \ioo 
readers  have  been  employed  upon  this  work  during  the  past  thirty  years.  Over  half  of  these  were  at  work  in  England 
and  the  British  Colonies,  but  about  300  Americans  were  thus  employed  under  the  direction  of  Professor  March.  The 
quotations  amassed  number  in  all  about  3,,'ioo,iKK>,  collected  from  5000  authors  of  all  periods.  The  dictionary  will 
contain  nearly  2.si),o<>o  words— those  ordinarily  given   as  transitive   and    intransitive,  adjectives   used   as  substantives 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


315 


and  adverbs,  and  nouns  used  also  as  adjectives  being  counted  only  once  each.  The  design  of  the  work  is  to  furnish 
a  complete  account  of  the  meaning  and  history  of  English  words  now  in  use,  or  known  to  have  been  in  use  at  any 
time  in  the  past  700  years.  Part  I  (A  to  Ant)  contains  8365  words.  The  work  will  be  complete  in  four  volumes  of 
about  1400  pages  each,  or  5600  pages  in  all.  The  work  has  been  edited  by  James  A.  H.  Murray,  LL.  D.,  president 
of  the  British  Philological  Society,  and  more  than  thirty  assistant  editors.  Very  few  people  have  known  that  the  very 
quiet  and  modest  professor  was  thus  employed  with  the  philologists  of  England,  in  the  production  of  the  grandest  and 
most  important  work  in  English  literature.  He  attends  to  his  daily  duties  in  college,  is  seen  regularly  in  the  reading 
room  perusing  the  public  journals,  and  we  wonder  how  he  finds  time  to  establish  a  corps  of  300, 
arrange  and  transmit  the  results  to 
Oxford.  He  is  a  warm,  devoted  and 
enthusiastic  friend  of  Lafayette,  and 
has  done  much  to  give  the  college  its 
eminence  in  the  literary  world.  "  Per- 
sonally, Professor  March  is  a  simple- 
mannered, kind-hearted,  lovable  man. 
Although  past  sixty,  his  heart  is  as 
young  as  that  of  a  Freshman,  and  it 
is  said  that  no  student  has  ever  seen 
a  frown  upon  his  countenance.  He  is 
very  tall,  and  very  slim.  His  habits 
throughout  life  have  been  of  the  plain- 
est. He  is  very  fond  of  children  and 
may  be  seen  playing  with  them  on 
the  walks  of  the  college  grounds. 
Should  a  foot-ball  from  the  campus 
come  his  way  he  invariably  stops  to 
give  it  a  friendly  and  vigorous  kick, 
and  is  always  rewarded  by  a  cheer 
from  the  students."  In  the  science  of 
Philology  the  professor  keeps  ahead 
of  the  times. 

Rev.  Lyman  Coleman,  D.  D., 
Was  born  in  Middlefield,  Mass.,  June 
14,  1796.  His  father  and  grandfather 
were  both  physicians.  His  father  was 
unwilling  that  he  should  study  for 
the  ministry  on  account  of  his  extreme 
bashfulness,  as  he  thought  he  would 
be  unable  to  face  a  congregation  from 
the  pulpit.  He  was  so  decided  in  his 
opposition  that  he  refused  to  aid  him. 
Mr.  Coleman  went  to  Yale  literally 
without  means,  but,  by  teaching  and 
the  aid  of  friends  he  graduated  in 
1817,  and  for  three  years  was  principal 
of  the  Latin  Grammar  School  at  Hart- 
ford, Conn.,  and  subsequently  a  tutor 
at  Yale  for  four  years, where  he  studied 
theology.  By  teaching  he  paid  the 
money  he  had  borrowed  of  friends 
while  in  college.  In  1828  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church 
at  Belchertown,  Mass.,  and  held  the 
charge  for  seven  years.  He  was  afterwards  principal  of  the  Burr  Seminary,  Vermont,  five  years  ;  then  principal  of 
the  English  Department  of  Phillips  Academy  at  Andover,  Mass.,  five  years.  He  then  went  to  Europe  and  spent  two 
years  in  Germany  in  study  under  Neander,  and  in  travel,  and  on  his  return  was  appointed  Professor  of  German  in  the 
College  of  New  Jersey,  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  S.  T.  D.  The  next  fourteenyearsof  his  life  were  spent  in 
connexion  with  difterent  literary  institutions  in  Amherst,  Mass.,  and  Philadelphia.  He  revisited  Europe  in  1S56,  and 
extended  his  travels  to  the  Holy  Land,  the  Desert  and  Egypt,  and  in  1861  he  became  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages 
in  Lafayette.     His  principal  published  works  are  "  The  Antiquities  of  the  Christian  Church,"  "  The  Apostolical  and 


Rev.  Lyman  Coleman,  D.  D., 
Late  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages  iu  Lafayette  College. 


3i6  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Primitive  Church,"  "  An  Historical  Geography  of  the  Bible,"  "  Ancient  Christianity  Exemplified,"  "  Historical  Text- 
book and  Atlas  of  Biblical  Geography."  These  have  been  published  in  England.  He  also  compiled  the  genealogy  of 
the  Lyman  family,  and  contributed  a  number  of  articles  to  the  American  Quarterlies.  He  ended  his  life  at  Lafayette. 
The  writer  well  remembers  his  tall,  massive  form,  slowly  wending  its  way  to  his  pew  in  the  house  of  God.  He  was 
just  then  closing  the  toils  of  a  long  life,  and  quietly,  yet  heroically,  walking  into  the  shadows  of  life's  evening.  While 
thus  stepping  into  the  twilight  he  wrote  the  following  beautiful  sentiment  to  a  friend  :  "  The  wave  of  the  ocean  rises 
and  rolls  in  a  restless  tide  for  a  time,  alternately  gilded  by  sunshine  and  darkened  by  storm,  then  sinks  and  is  mixed  with 
its  original  element.  Such  is  our  life."  Few  instruftors  had  more  sympathy  for  their  pupils.  He  had  been  schooled 
in  adversity.  He  used  to  say  that  "  The  highest  idea  of  education  is  to  overcome  difficulties."  He  had  met  many  and 
bravely  conquered.  He  died  March  i6,  1S82,  in  the  86th  year  of  his  life.  Dr.  Coleman  was  no  ordinary  man.  He  has 
been  properly  styled  one  of  "  Nature's  Noblemen."  He  was  scrupulously  observant  of  the  courtesies  of  life.  His 
constant  feeling  was  that  religion  should  make  a  man  a  gentleman.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions,  and  with  the 
courage  of  his  opinions,  never  afraid  to  give  expression  of  them,  but  was  very  careful  not  to  wound  the  feelings  of  the 
very  humblest.  He  was  a  pure  man.  Pure  in  thought,  pure  in  word,  he  leaves  an  unblemished  life  behind  him.  Dr. 
Coleman  manifested  his  interest  in  Lafayette  by  establishing  the  Coleman  prizes.  This  endowment  yields  an  annual 
income  of  sixty  dollars,  frotn  which  prizes  are  given  to  those  students  who  lead  the  respective  divisions  of  their  class 
in  Biblical  studies. 

In  1869  Mr.  Pardee's  gifts  had  amounted  to  ^200,000,  and  upon  this  basis  was  first 
established  a  new  curriculum  of  scientific  studies.  For  the  development  of  this  plan  a 
new  and  special  building  was  needed.  For  this  purpose  a  year  or  two  after,  Mr.  Pardee 
made  a  further  gift  of  $250,000  ;  to  which  he  afterward  added  the  gift  of  $50,000  more 
for  its  scientific  equipment.  At  this  princely  munificence  the  trustees  must  also  have 
doubted  whether  they  were  in  real  life,  and  not  in  the  land  of  dreams.  An  immense 
building  was  to  be  ere<?ted  ;  there  was  no  desirable  site  for  it  and  no  place  to  put  it,  unless 
some  of  the  professors'  houses  should  be  moved.  This  was  soon  done,  and  in  eighteen 
months  the  largest  and  most  complete  scientific  college  building  in  the  United  States 
stood  upon  the  grand  plateau,  the  pride  and  crown  of  Easton,  to  be  a  perpetual  memorial 
of  the  liberality  and  far-reaching  wisdom  of  him  whose  name  it  bears.  The  building  is 
five  stories  high,  fifty-three  feet  front,  and  eighty-three  feet  deep,  with  two  lateral  wings, 
one  on  each  side  of  the  centre  building,  measuring  si.xty-one  feet  in  length,  and  thirty- 
one  in  width  ;  four  stories  high,  including  a  Mansard  roof,  the  whole  terminating  in  two 
cross  wings  forty-two  feet  front,  eighty-four  feet  deep  and  four  stories  high.  The  entire 
length  of  the  front,  in  a  straight  line,  is  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  feet.  The  material  is 
the  Trenton  brown-stone,  with  trimming  of  light  Ohio  sand-stone. 

The  great  building  was  completed  in  1873,  ^"^  upon  the  21st  of  October  of  that 
year  was  formally  handed  over  to  the  trustees  by  the  munificent  donor.  This  building 
was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  evening  of  June  4th,  1879.  It  was  rebuilt  on  the  same  site, 
of  the  same  dimensions  and  external  appearance,  and  was  mainly  paid  for  by  the  money 
realized  from  the  policies  of  insurance.  The  ladies  of  Easton  aided  in  furnishing  the 
interior  of  the  hall.  In  rebuilding,  the  interior  was  greatly  improved,  as  experience  of 
the  first  structure  had  suggested. 

The  reopening  was  celebrated  with  appropriate  ceremonies  by  a  great  concourse  of 
the  friends  of  education  from  far  and  near,  on  the  30th  of  November,  1880.  An  assembly 
so  distinguished  has  rarely  gathered  in  honor  of  any  educational  foundation  in  this  countr\'. 
His  Excellency,  Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  President  of  the  United  States,  with  mcinbcrs  of 
his  Cabinet,  the  General  of  the  Army,  and  the  Commissioner  of  Education,  His  Excel- 
lency, Henry  M.  Hoyt,  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  the  State 
Superintendent  of  Education,  the  Moderator  of  the  General  As.sembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Clinrch,  and  the  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  Pliiladelphia,  were   present  and   participated 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  317 

in  the  festivities  of  the  occasion.  The  Board  of  Trustees  determined  that  the  whole 
Scientific  Department  shall  be  impressed  with  the  Christian  character  of  the  college.  In 
addition  to  the  systematic  and  thorough  study  of  the  word  of  God  in  all  the  classes, 
special  attention  is  given  to  the  harmony  of  science  with  revealed  religion. 

A  description  of  the  interior  of  the  hall  will  be  given  in  the  words  of  Professor 
March  :  "If  we  explore  the  east  wings  of  Pardee  Hall,  we  shall  find  them  full  of  the 
apparatus  of  manipulation.  Work-rooms  for  the  department  of  mechanics  and  physical 
laboratories  are  the  main  features  of  the  first  and  second  floors.  The  third  and  fourth 
floors  are  occupied  by  the  department  of  civil  engineering.  They  are  stored  with  instru- 
ments for  work  in  the  field,  and  fitted  up  for  industrial  drawing  and  office  work.  In 
auother  part  of  the  building  there  are  rooms  for  other  kinds  of  drawing,  and  labora- 
tories for  work  in  botany  and  natural  history.  A  separate  building  is  devoted  to  the 
laboratories  of  Chemistry,  and  another  to  the  Astronomical  Observatory.  Let  us  pass 
over  to  the  western  wings  of  the  hall.  Here  we  find  the  apparatus  of  the  classificatory 
_  sciences — Mineralogy, 

"  _  Botany,   Natural  History, 

_^  \,^         Geology.    In  room  beyond 

room  are  marshalled  cabi- 
nets and  colledlions  of  min- 
erals, plants  and  animals. 
Here  the  student  is  to  learn 
the  uses  of  all  natural  ob- 
jects, and  those  relations 
of  each  to  all  others  which 
tell  us  where  to  find  them. 
He  learus  where  to  look 
forgold,  where  for  pyrites, 
and  where  for  coal  and 
]  \Ki  1  I    iiviL  iron  ;  what  plants  grow 

in  what  places,  and  what 
animals  with  them,  what  interdependencies  are  to  be  found  among  all  creatures.  Here 
he  may  learn  to  frame  schemes  of  produ(5lion  or  traffic  which  include  the  world.  We  will 
pass  on  to  the  centre  of  the  building.  Here,  as  of  right,  are  the  library,  colledlions  of 
art  and  antiquities,  ledlure  rooms  for  history,  social  science  and  language,  the  society 
halls,  and  the  great  auditorium.  And  with  these  should  be  counted  in  other  buildings, 
other  lecfture  rooms  for  languages,  the  Greek  room,  and  all  the  rest ;  and  the  reading 
room,  dear  to  all  the  students  of  Lafayette.  These  may  be  called  apparatus  for  the  study 
of  man  and  training  for  the  mastery  of  men.  Here  are  the  laboratories  of  mind.  Here 
are  the  cabinets  of  thought."  Professor  March  closes  his  address  by  putting  on  record 
the  following  adlion  of  the  Faculty,  taken  in  1874 : 

"Whereas,  It  has  been  held  seemly  to  honor  intelligent  munificence,  and  for  Chris- 
tian scholars  to  tenderly  preserve  the  memory  of  promoters  of  science  and  learning,  and 
for  learned  foundations  to  have  set  times  to  honor  their  founder  and  cherish  his  grateful 
remembrance  ;  and 

Whereas,  The  celebration   of  such  deeds  of  munificence  is  a  powerful  means  of 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


inciting  youth   to  imitate   them,  and  of  training  them  up   to   all   those   liberal  acts  and 
thoughts  which  are  the  fruits  of  the  highest  culture  ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  to-morrow,  the  21st  day  of  October,  being  the  first  anniversary  of 
the  formal  opening  and  dedication  of  Pardee  Hall,  the  usual  lectures  and  recitations  be 
suspended,  and  the  day  marked  by  appropriate  exercises ;  and  that  hereafter  the  Wednes- 
day following  the  21st  day  of  October  in  each  year  be  recognized  as  the  anniversary  of 
the  founding  and  gift  of  Pardee  Hall,  and  that  it  be  set  apart  forever  by  Lafayette 
College,  its  Faculty  and 
students,  under  the  name  of 
Founder's  Day,  as  a  day  of 
commemoration  of  the  founder, 
Ario  Pardee." 

The  Pardee  Scientific 
Department  (well  supplied  with 
the  best  of  apparatus,  by  which 
the  facts  and  laws  of  Natural 
Science  are  illustrated)  was 
early  placed  under  the  over- 
sight of  Dr.  Traill  Green,  as 
Dean. 

Traill  Green,  M.  D.,  LL.  D., 
Was  born  in  Easton,  Pa.,  May  25,  1S13. 
He  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  Green. 
Dr.  Traill  Green's  father  was  a  son 
of  Richard,  whose  father's  name 
was  Richard,  who  was  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam Green,  who  came  from  Eng- 
land in  the  opening  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  William  married  to  a  Miss 
Joanna  Reeder,  a  daughter  of  John 
Reeder,  who  had  just  come  from 
England,  and  with  whom  Mr.  Green 
became  acquainted  on  Long  Island. 
He  built  the  first  brick  house  in 
Ewing,  which  is  still  standing,  and 
bears  the  date  17 17  on  the  west  end 
of  the  house.  The  fifth  generation 
of  Greens  still  occupy  the  house. 
Elizabeth,  the  mother  of  Dr.  Green, 
was  a  daughter  of  Robert  Traill,  who 
was  a  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  Traill  and 
Sabilla  Grant,  who  was  a  daughter  of 
Rev.  Alexander  Grant  of  South  Ron- 
aldsay  of  the  Island  of  Sande.one  of  the 
Orkneys.  Thus  we  see  our  venerable 
townsman  is  of  good  blood  and  strong  .stock.  The  Celtic  stock  of  the  Highlands  is  visible  both  in  his  phy- 
siognomy and  in  the  vigor  of  his  moral  and  religious  character  He  graduated  at  the  JIiner\-a  Seminary,  the 
famous  school  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Vanderveer.  In  this  school  he  made  such  proficiency  in  the  classics  that 
his  teacher  offere<l  to  procure  for  him  a  professorship  in  college.  But  not  wishing  to  be  diverted  from  his  orig- 
inal intention  to  study  medicine,  he  went  directly  to  the  Pennsylvania  I'niversity,  graduated,  and  immediately 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  profession  in  I^a.ston.     In  1.S37  he  became  Professor  of  Chemistry  in  Lafayette. 


Professor  of  Chen 


Grei:n.  M.  D.,  LL.  D., 
,  Dean  of  Pardee  Scientific  Dcp; 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


319 


In  1S41  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Rutgers  College,  aud  the  same  year  he  was  called  to  the  chair  of 
Natural  Sciences  in  Marshall  College,  at  Mercersburg,  where  he  remained  till  he  returned  to  Easton  in  1847, 
and  the  following  year  resumed  the  Professorship  of  Chemistry,  which  he  still  holds.  In  1866  he  received  the 
degree  of  LL.  D  ,  from  Washington  and  Jefferson  College.  When  Dr.  Cattell  became  President  of  the  College, 
at  his  own  expense  Dr.  Green  erected  the  Astronomical  Observatory,  north  of  Jenks  Hall.  It  is  built  of  blue 
lime-stone,  and  cost  $15,000.  It  consists  of  a  tower  aud  two  transit  rooms,  with  lecture  room  attached.  It  is 
fitted  up  with  a  revolving  dome  aud  telescope,  a  transit  instrument,  and  other  apparatus  for  the  observation  of 
astronomical  phenomena  and  for  the  thorough  study  of  astronomy.  The  transit  of  Venus  in  1882  was  success- 
fully observed  in  it  by  Prof.  Coffin,  Dr.  Traill  Green  and  his  son  Dr.  Edgar  M.  Green  ;  for  Dr.  Green  is  a  thorough 
scientist,  and  has  always  kept  abreast  the  advancing  lines.  He  has  been  for  forty  years  a  member  and  Fellow  of 
the  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science.  Upon  the  completion  of  Pardee  Hall,  Dr.  Green 
organized  the  Pardee  Scientific  Department,  and  is  its  Dean.  He  was  the  first  President  of  the  American  Acad- 
emy of  Medicine,  and  a  member  of  other  scientific  bodies.  In  1881  he  pronounced  the  annual  address  before 
the  alumni  of  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  wears  his  honors  easily,  and 
seems  unconscious  of  his  worth.  The  Doctor  is  now  seventy-five  years  of  age,  and  yet  his  heart  is  as  buoyant  as 
if  the  sun  were  shining  at  noon,  instead  of  descending  toward  the  western  hills.  The  fires  of  intellect  still  burn 
brightly  as  was  evident  in  his  masterly  defence  of  the  former  physicians  of  Easton,  from  the  aspersions  of  Dr. 
Gross.  It  is  well  for  the  reputation  of  Easton  physicians  that  Dr.  Green  wielded  so  trenchant  a  pen.  The  de- 
fense was  the  cause  of  many  thanks  from  near  and  distant  friends  of  the  dead  physicians.  For  more  than  fifty 
years  he  has  followed  his  profession,  and  is  still  active  in  his  work.  He  always  carries  a  sunbeam  into  the  sick- 
room, and  his  pleasant  and  hopeful  countenance,  and  cheerful  words  are  often  as  potent  as  the  medicine  admin- 
istered. In  his  case  we  see  the  highest  attainments  in  science  beautifully  blended  with  the  humblest  faith  in 
the  Gospel.  In  this  age  it  is  encouraging  to  see  such  a  man  walking  so  confidently  on  the  bright  mountains  of 
science,  and  so  humbly  in  the  valley  of  Christian  contentment.  He  has  been  for  many  years  a  ruling  elder  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Easton,  and  a  director  in  many  local  societies  of  trust. 

Throughout  Pardee  Hall  the  greatest  care  has  been  taken  to  provide  for  the  needs 
of  students  in  the  pursuit  of  scientific  investigation.  A  short  distance  southwest  of 
tliis  building  stands  Jenks'  Chemical  Hall.  It  is  built  of  lime-stone,  two-stories,  with  a 
Mansard  roof,  sixty-four  feet  front  and  seventy-five  feet  in  depth,  at  a  cost  of  $22,000. 

North  of  these  beautiful  buildings  lies  the  main  part  of  the  campus.  Here  much 
interest  is  concentrated  in  the  season  of  out-door  sports,  in  the  assemblage  of  crowds  of 
speculators,  who  are  gathered  to  witness  the  various  athletic  games,  foot-ball,  base-ball, 
lawn-tennis,  and  the  like,  for  all  of  which  there  is  abundant  accommodation,  with  room 
enough  and  to  spare. 

Beyond  this  rises  a  row  of  neat  brick  buildings — the  homes  of  the  students — desig- 
nated from  the  names  of  liberal  donors  to  the  college  funds.  In  order,  from  West  to  East, 
their  names  are  Blair  Hall,  Newkirk  Hall,  McKeen  Hall,  Martien  Hall,  Powel  Hall, 
and  East  Hall.  The  halls  are  all  plain  buildings,  except  McKeen  Hall,  which  has  brown- 
stone  quoins  and  window  trimmings,  with  porch,  ornamental  cornice,  and  a  balustrade 
around  the  entire  roof  There  are  also  buildings  for  the  residences  of  professors,  many 
of  which  have  been  built  since  the  eredlion  of  Pardee  Hall.  The  events  in  the  history 
of  twelve  years  of  the  life  of  Lafayette  College  are  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  any 
educational  institution  in  America.  In  1863,  after  the  struggles  of  nearly  forty  years,  the 
end  seemed  to  have  come.  The  question  was  freely  and  painfully  discussed  as  to  whether 
the  doors  of  the  college  should  be  closed;  but  in  1875  she  stood  in  the  front  rank  among  the 
colleges  of  America.  Her  students  in  1863  were  thirty-nine  in  number  ;  in  1875  the  num- 
ber was  three  hundred  and  nineteen,  and  the  college  plateau  was  dotted  with  most  beauti- 
ful and  costly  buildings,  and  Pardee  Hall  had  risen  on  the  scene  as  if  by  magic.  Beautiful 
carriage  ways  and  winding  foot-paths,  and  artistic  terracing,  tasteful  shrubbery,  ornamental 


320 


THE  HISTORY   OF 


trees,  and  beds  of  brilliant  flowers,  make  the  grounds  around  the  college  buildings  a  scene 
of  beauty  rarely  excelled. 

The  following  graphic  description  is  taken  from  Scrihner'' s  Monthly  for  December, 
1876:  "Going  north  from  fountain-green,  down  (Third  street)  we  cross  Bushkill  Creek, 
and  at  the  northern  end  of  the  bridge  we  are  confronted  by  a  hill  which  is  almost  a  cliff 
that  rises  swift  and  steep  to  the  plateau  where  is  seated  Lafayette  College.  Formerly  the 
only  method  of  reaching  the  summit,  save  by  a  long  detour,  was  by  clambering  up  a  steep 
flight  of  plank  steps  springing  on  stilts  of  rude  carpentry,  from  ledge  to  ledge,  and 
trembling  with  the  weight  of  the  adventurous  climber.  The  dizzy  scaffolding  of  stairs 
which,  in  that  day,  led  on  and  up  to  the  college  reminded  the  traveler  of  those  crazy  and 
slippery  timber  ladders  of  the  Leuken  Bad,  in  Switzerland,  which  lead  up  to  the  moun- 
tain town  of  Albinen.  The  foot  passenger  can  now,  however,  reach  the  heiglits  of  the 
Lafayette  plateau  by  stone  steps,  massive  and  broad,  supported  by  masonry  and  zigzag- 
ging along  the  pra(5licable  ledges  of  the  pi6luresque  hill-side.  Wending  up,  under  shade 
of  cedars,  of  nettle  trees,  of  wild  roses,  and  festoons  of  the  Virginia  creeper,  the  visitor 
will  reach,  two  hundred  feet  above  the  river,  a  little  bastion,  supported  by  rusticated 
stone-work,  on  which  stands  a  monumental  granite  soldier,  commemorative  of  '  the  dead 
in  the  war.'  Thirty  feet  higher,  by  two  more  flights  of  stone  steps,  which  were  erecfled 
by  the  gift  of  the  class  of  18S0,  the  general  level  of  tlie  Lafayette  plateau  is  reached,  and 
from   here  an  embowered   straight  walk  leads  direcflly  to  tlie  cential  entrance  of  tlie  orig- 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


321 


inal  college  building.  Before  passing  up  the  walk  to  the  college  the  Eastonian  will  of  a 
surety  call  your  attention  to  the  view  southward,  over  the  town,  from  the  crown  of  the 
hill.  You  stand  there,  at  the  head  of  the  last  flight  of  steps,  in  the  axis  of  the  main  street 
of  Easton.  Immediately  before  you,  and  below  you,  the  granite  sentinel  is  holding  his 
steady  guard.  Thence,  the  hill  you  have  climbed  plunges  down  under  its  wilderness  of 
leaves  to  the  Third  street  bridge  over  the  Bushkill.  From  the  banks  of  the  Bushkill  the 
broad  street  far  below  you  sweeps  straight  southward,  hemmed  by  houses,  and  trees,  and 
spires,  it  swings  round  the  leafy  circlet  of  the  fountain  green,  and  stretches  away  amid 
other  and  lower  houses  along  a  gentle  descent  till  it  terminates  at  the  Lehigh  ;  be3'ond 
this  rise  the  tall  hills  of  South  Easton.     To  the  right,  westerly,  the  town  creeps  up  a 


THE  CAMPUS  ON  CLASS-DAY 


gentle  ascent,  upon  which  break  bolder  and  bolder  heights — some  peopled,  some  tilled, 
some  unkempt  and  wild.  To  the  left  are  other  and  more  closely  packed  roofs,  trending 
down  to  the  Delaware,  of  which  you  see  a  broad,  shining  light  and  have  a  view  of  its 
bridges  crossing  to  the  shores  of  New  Jersey,  where  smoke  the  furnaces  of  Phillipsburg. 
Altogether,  it  is  a  scene  of  busy  ac?tivity,  of  quiet,  far-away  hill  sides,  of  near  tangled 
wildness,  of  river  spaces,  of  deep  valley-clefts,  of  trailing  barges,  of  railways  over  rail- 
ways, and  never-ending  scurry  of  trains  that  can  hardly  be  matched.  It  is  no  wonder 
the  towns  people  are  proud  of  the  views;  it  is  no  wonder  that  younglings  of  either  sex 
come  hither  in  pairs  in  the  summer  twilight  to  linger  and  look  off"  on  a  scene  of  such 
varied  beauty." 


322 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Lafayette  still  retains  the  old  classical  course  of  study,  believing  in  the  virtue  of  Greek, 
Latin,  and  Hebrew  too,  requiring  the  usual  four  years'  training,  with  little  change  or  omission 
of  the  old  standard  authors,  beyond  the  modifications  that  have  everywhere  been  necessi- 
tated by  the  claims  of  literature  and  the  natural  sciences  for  a  share  of  the  time  that  was 
devoted  in  former  generations  solely  to  the  trivium  of  Languages,  Mathematics  and 
Philosophy.  But  while  Harvard  and  Princeton  are  warmly  debating  the  question  of 
introducing  a  scientific  course,  teaching  the  modern,  in  place  of  the  dead  languages,  in- 
volving a  knowledge  of  Civil  Engineering,  Mining,  a  thorough  knowledge  of  Chemistry, 
Mineralogy,  adapted  to  the  different  aims  and  tastes  of  young  men,  Lafa\ette  has, 
since  1866,  been  affording  students  the  privilege  of  pursuing  a  course  of  study  as  above 


READING   ROOM. 


indicated.  So  that  Lafayette  now  occupies  the  position  of  a  university'  in  which  the 
varied  courses  may  be  pursued  with  advantages  not  excelled  by  any  colleges  in  the 
country.  In  addition  to  this,  Lafayette  was  not  only  among  the  first,  but  the  very  first, 
to  introduce  the  thorough  philological  study  of  our  mother  tongue.  This  was  done  under 
the  personal  direclion  of  Prof  F.  A.  March,  LL.  D.,  the  well  known  author  of  a  "Com- 
parative Grammar  of  the  English  Language."  Originally  intended  for  students  familiar 
with  Latin,  Greek  and  French,  it  compared  the  Anglo-Saxon  with  Greek,  Latin,  Gothic, 
Old  Saxon,  and  Old  High  German.  General  principles  of  phonology  are  first  laid  down  ; 
and  then  parallel  paradigms  of  the  inflexion  forms  in  these  languages  are  given,  and  the 
Anglo-vSaxou  cxiilaiucd   under  their  guidance.      The   author   in    this  way  introduces   the 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


323 


student  to  the  methods  of  the  modern  science  of  language  in  connexion  with  the  study 
of  Anglo-Saxon,  so  that  our  mother  tongue  may  share  the  powers  of  this  new  science. 
Thus  in  method  and  substance,  as  thorough  and  scientific  study  is  given  to  a  portion  of 
the  Anglo-Saxon  as  can  be  given  to  the  Greek  or  Latin,  with  the  ordinary  college  text- 
books. This  is  American  in  its  origin,  and  the  honor  of  introducing  it  into  college 
studies  belongs  to  Lafayette. 

In  mining  and  engineering,  Lafayette  offers  exceptional  advantages.  For  instance : 
Does  the  professor  talk  of  bridge  constru6lion,  his  illustrations  (as  perfecft  as  are  to  be 
found  in  America)  are  before  his  eyes.     Does  he  talk  of  grades  and  curves,  every  fashion 


and  expedient  are  within  an  afternoon's  walk.  Does  he  talk  of  shafts  and  lodes,  the  near 
valley  offers  every  variety  of  example.  Is  it  a  question  of  ores,  and  puddling  and  slag, 
the  furnace  fires  are  blazing  on  the  horizon  every  night.  Or  does  the  ambitious  student 
desire  inspiration  in  the  business  world,  standing  on  Mount  Lafayette,  he  can  witness  the 
passing  of  a  hundred  trains  daily  on  the  six  railroads  centering  on  the  banks  of  the  Dela- 
ware and  across  those  beautiful  iron  bridges  that  look  like  spiders'  webs  in  the  distance. 
Or,  does  he  wish  to  hold  communion  with  nature  in  her  lovely  forms,  taking  his  stand  on 
Mount  Olympus,  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  mountains  and  valleys,  hills  and  dales,  rivers 
and  plains  of  two  States  present  a  scene  upon  which  the  imagination  can  gaze  with 
wonder  and  delight. 


324 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


The  administration  of  President  Cattell  extended  from  1864  to  1884,  a  period  of 
twenty  years.  When  he  came  to  the  presidency,  the  building  now  occupied  by  the 
treasurer  and  Dr.  March,  and  the  central  portion  of  South  College,  with  three  professors' 
residences,  were  the  only  buildings  on  the  campus.  The  President  "labored  with  all  the 
energy  God  had  given  him  "  for  the  good  of  the  institution  over  whose  prosperity  he  was 
to  watch.  Led  and  sustained  by  the  hand  of  God,  he  was  enabled  to  lift  the  institution 
out  of  the  shadows  into  the  clear  light  of  life  and  usefulness.  The  six  buildings  on  the 
north  of  the  campus  for  students'  homes,  Jenks'  Hall  on  the  south,  the  Astronomical 
Observatory,  the  two  wings  of  South  College,  and  Pardee  Hall  in  the  centre,  are  the 
result  of  the  busy  toil  of  this  administration.     For  some  time  toward   the  close  of  Dr. 


JENKS  HALL. 

Cattell's  labors,  efforts  had  been  made  to  build  a  gymnasium.  The  money  had  been 
raised  by  him  and  the  building  was  in  process  of  eredlion  when  Dr.  Cattell  retired.  The 
building  is  45  by  80  feet,  is  of  brick,  and  is  in  the  style  of  the  gymnasium  of  the  Van- 
derbilt  University  at  Nashville.  The  side  walls  are  twenty-one  feet  high,  leaving  a  dis- 
tance of  about  thirty-four  feet  between  the  floor  and  the  roof.  There  are  galleries  at  each 
end  of  the  interior  of  the  building  for  the  convenience  of  those  who  wish  to  witness  the 
exercises,  and  many  avail  themselves  of  the  privilege.  The  alumni  dinners  and  most  of 
the  banquets  are  now  held  in  this  building.  The  students  are  under  the  careful  training  of 
Prof  Charles  Mclntire,  M.  D.,  who  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  work.  The  basement  is 
fitted  up  with  bath-rooms,  closets,  lavatories,  with  every  con\'eniencc  which  the  principles 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


325 


sJS-i-****' 


of  hygiene  could  suggest.  Towers  set  diagonally  at  each  corner  of  the  building  make  it 
as  attracftive  outside  as  it  is  useful  inside.  The  building  is  beautifully  situated  on  slightly 
elevated  ground,  just  north  of  and  between  South  College  and  Treasurer's  building.  The 
cost  of  the  strudlure  is  about  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

Professor  Selden  Jennings  Coffin,  Ph.  D.,  was  born  at  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y.,  August  3,  1838,  and  is  the 
son  of  Professor  James  H.  Coffin,   LL.  D.,   late  professor  in  Lafayette  College.     He  graduated  with  honor  at 
Lafayette,  in  1S58,  having  been  the  English  salutatorian.     He  taught  for  two  years,  and  then  pursued  a  full  theo- 
logical course  at  Princeton,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1864.      He  was  licensed  to  preach       I  "  : ] 

the  gospel  April  20,  1864,  and  ordained  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh,  January  6,  1874. 
From  1864  he  was  successively  tutor,  ad- 
junct; professor  and  Hollenback  professor 
of  mathematics  and  astronomy,  until  1886, 
when  by  reason  of  a  severe  throat  ail- 
ment he  felt  called  upon  to  resign  ;  since 
which  time  he  has  served  the  college  efiB- 
ciently  in  the  office  of  Registrar.  Being 
quite  familiar  with  the  life-work  of  his 
father,  he  drew  the  charts  and  completed 
his  posthumous  work  on  the  "  Winds  of 
the  Globe."  It  was  well  for  the  scientific 
world  that  he  had  become  so  familiar  with 
meteorological  investigations  that  hecould 
take  up  the  work  where  it  was  left,  and 
prepare  the  report  as  he  did  and  with  such 
entire  satisfa(5lion .  On  its  publication,  in 
1876,  he  received  the  degree  of  Ph.  D.  from 
Hanover  College.  He  became  Fellow  of 
the  American  .Association  for  the  Advance- 
ment of  Science.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  HLslorical  Society,  and  of 
the  Moravian  Historical  Society ;  presi- 
dent of  his  theological  class,  secretary  of 
his  college  class,  and  has  been  for  thirty 
years  secretary  of  the  Alumni  Association 
in  Lafayette  College.  In  iSyg  he  pub- 
lished the  "Men  of  Lafayette,"  pp.  358, 
8  vo.  In  three  campaigns  of  the  war  he 
was  aftively  engaged  in  the  service  of  the 
U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  laboring  in 
the  field  in  the  relief  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers  ;  in  1864,  being  specially 
appointed  to  establish  "  diet  kitchens"  in 
the  command  of  General  B.  F.  Butler.    In 

1S76  he  was  one  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  State  to  organize  the  educational  exhibit  of 
vania  for  the  Centennial   Exposition  at  Philadelphia,  in  which  his  specific  work  was  to  arrange  the  exhibit 
from  the  colleges  of  Pennsylvania,  and  which  he  received  complimentary  mention. 


Selde: 
Professor  and  Regi: 


I  J.  Coffin, 

trar,  Lafayette  College. 


THE   FUNDS  OF  THE   COLLEGE. 
At  the  beginning  of  Dr.  Cattell's  adrainistraton  the  capital  stock  of  Lafayette  was 
$66,671.41.     At  the  close,  a  period  of  twenty  years,  it  was  $861,062.94.     A  large  part  of 
this  invested  capital  is  non-produdlive  :  as  the  buildings  and  grounds,  $446,435  ;  apparatus. 


326  THE  HISTORY  OF 

$87,754;  libraries  and  scientific  colledlions,  $40,266.  The  productive  investments,  dor- 
mitories and  students  homes,  $67,726;  houses  for  professors,  $69,049.  Amount  of  other 
investments  at  par  value,  $121,979.  Total,  $257,978.  From  these  producTiive  funds  there 
is  an  annual  income  of  about  $13,000.  "It  should  be  known,  however,  by  the  friends  of 
the  college,  that  this  sum,  added  to  the  fees  of  the  students,  is  very  far  from  being  suffi- 
cient to  meet  the  current  expenses  of  the  institution.  While  the  special  and  elective 
courses  of  study  have  greatly  increased  the  number  of  students  they  have  also  increased 
the  number  of  teachers  required,  and  this  number  cannot  be  reduced  without  greatly 
impairing  the  efficiency  of  the  instruction.  There  is  an  annual  deficit  of  about  $15,000 
to  be  supplied  by  private  subscription,  or  taken  from  the  invested  funds.  Since  1879  this 
deficit  has  been  met  by  subscription  at  the  close  of  the  year  ;  and  has  been  made  up  largely 
by  the  trustees.  At  this  point  the  pressing  needs  of  Lafayette  appear.  A  further  invest- 
ment of  $250,000  would  place  the  college  on  the  high  plane  of  self-reliance,  and  drive 
anxious  care  from  the  hearts  of  many  of  her  warm  friends.  During  the  history  of  the 
wonderful  progress  of  Lafayette  there  are  a  few  names  that  cannot  be  passed  by  :  William 
Adamson,  of  Philadelphia ;  Thomas  Beaver,  of  Danville ;  George  B.  Markle,  of  Phila- 
delphia ;  John  Welles  Hollenback,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  have  endowed  professorships  in  the 
sum  of  $30,000.  Mr.  Benjamin  Douglass,  of  New  York  City,  endowed  for  a  term  of 
years  the  chairs  for  teaching  the  Latin  and  Greek  in  the  elective  course  of  Christian 
authors.  In  1872  the  citizens  of  Easton  contributed  $22,624  ^^  complete  the  east  wing  of 
the  South  College,  and  in  the  same  year  $4,700  toward  the  new  chapel;  to  which  also 
Mrs.  W.  C.  Ferriday  and  Mrs.  Ellen  J.  Welles  (Wyalusing,  Pa.)  contributed  $5,000  each. 
The  treasurer's  books  show  the  following  contributions:  John  A.  Brown,  $20,000;  John 
I.  Blair,  $17,000.  He  has  since  given  $40,000  to  endow  the  president's  chair,  and  $15,000 
to  pay  for  the  home  of  Dr.  Cattell  for  future  presidents,  making  $72,000.  William  E. 
Dodge  and  Joseph  H.  Scranton,  each  $15,000 ;  Barton  H.  Jenks,  Thomas  L.  McKeen  and 
Mrs.  William  C.  Cattell,  each  $10,000;  Selden  T.  Scranton,  $7,500;  Alfred  Martien  and 
Benjamin  G.  Clarke,  each  $6,000  ;  Morris  Patterson,  Rev.  Matthew  Newkirk,  John  Taylor 
Johnson,  Alexander  Whilldin,  Thomas  Dickson,  G.  Dawson  Coleman  and  Matthew  Baird, 
each  $5,000.  This  gives  us  an  inside  view  of  the  era  of  Lafayette's  great  prosperity. 
The  student  who  is  looking  for  a  college  in  which  to  prepare  for  the  struggle  of  life  turns 
his  mind  toward  Lafayette. 

I.  THE  CLASSICAL  COURSE. 
The  graduates  in  this  course  receive  the  usual  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  This 
course  embodies  the  standard  means  of  liberal  training,  and  is  therefore  the  course  to 
which  the  others  conform,  so  far  as  is  consistent  with  their  specific  aim,  in  their  general 
spirit  and  design.  It  is  fully  equal  in  organization  and  thoroughness  to  the  under-grad- 
uate  course  of  our  best  colleges,  and  affords  the  amplest  facilities  for  the  study  of  the 
Ancient  Languages. 

n.    THE  GENERAL  SCIENTIFIC   COURSE. 
This  and  the  three  courses  which  follow  are  endowed  by  Mr.  Pardee,  and  constitute 
the  Pardee  Scientific  Department  of  Lafayette  College.     This  course  is  parallel  with  the 
Classical   Course  of  the  college,  except   that   the  Philological  study  of  the  Englisli  and 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  327 

other  Modern  lyanguages  takes  the  place  of  Ancient  Languages.  It  is  designed,  therefore, 
for  those  who  wish  to  study  the  Natural  Sciences,  Mathematics,  Modern  Languages  and 
Literature,  History,  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy,  Rhetoric  and  Logic,  as  a  substantial 
basis  of  knowledge  and  scholarly  culture,  and  who  would  be  glad  to  enjoy  the  cultivation 
and  learned  habits  and  associations  of  college  life,  but  who  will  not  study  Greek  and  Latin. 
Graduates  receive  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  ;  or,  for  those  taking  the  eledlive 
course  in  Latin,  Bachelor  of  Philosophy. 

III.    THE   COURSE   IN   CIVIL   ENGINEERING. 

Graduates  receive  the  degree  of  Civil  Engineer.  This  course  is  designed  to  give 
professional  preparation  for  the  location,  constru6lion  and  superintendence  of  railways, 
canals  and  other  public  works  ;  the  trigonometrical  and  topographical  surveys  of  states, 
counties,  etc. ;  the  survey  of  lakes  and  harbors  ;  and  the  direction  of  their  improvement ; 
the  design,  construction  and  use  of  steam  engines  and  other  motors,  and  of  mechanics  in 
general ;  and  the  construcftion  of  geometrical,  topographical  and  machine  drawings. 
IV.    THE  COURSE   IN   MINING   AND   METALLURGY. 

Graduates  receive  the  degree  of  Mining  Engineer.  This  course  offers  the  means  of 
special  preparation  for  exploring  undeveloped  mineral  resources,  and  for  taking  charge  of 
mining  and  metallurgical  works.  It  includes  instru6lion  in  engineering  as  connedled 
with  the  survey  and  construftion  of  mines,  with  the  construdlion  and  adjustment  of 
machines,  and  with  machine  drawings  ;  also,  instru(?tion  in  Chemistry  and  Assaying,  as 
applied  to  the  manipulation  of  ores  and  other  minerals. 

V.    THE   COURSE    IN   CHEMISTRY. 

Graduates  receive  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  This  course  includes  text- 
book study,  lecflures  and  laboratory  practice,  every  facility  for  which  is  found  in  the  exten- 
sive laboratories  of  Pardee  Hall.  Particular  attention  is  given  to  the  Chemistry  of  Agri- 
culture, Medicine,  Metallurgy  and  the  Manufacfturing  Processes. 

VI.    POST-GRADUATE   COURSES. 

Designed  for  graduates  of  colleges  or  scientific  schools,  and  others  having  suitable 
preparation.  Such  persons  may  pursue  advanced  studies  in  any  department,  under  the 
diredlion  and  instrudlion  of  the  professor  in  that  department,  and  may  have  use  of  the 
laboratories,  apparatus,  collec?lions  and  libraries  of  the  college  while  prosecuting  their 
researches.  Those  who  complete  a  three  years'  course  in  these  post-graduate  studies 
receive  the  degree  of  Do<5lor  of  Philosophy. 

Rev.  Dr.  Paxton,  in  a  large  gathering  at  Princeton,  said,  "While  other  colleges  were 
surrendering 'to  Darwin  and  the  Devil,  Princeton  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  her  way." 
If  that  be  true  of  Princeton  it  is  eminently  so  of  Lafayette.  She  was  founded  in  the 
spirit  of  prayer,  and  has  been  the  obje6l  of  humble  prayer  for  more  than  fifty  years,  and 
is  so  still.  The  beautiful  hill-top  has  been  the  scene  of  many  precious  revivals  which 
have  sent  her  missionaries  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  The  religious  speculative  skepticism 
of  the  day  finds  no  sympathy  at  Lafayette.  That  phase  of  pious  speculation  which  tends 
to  dethrone  Moses  and  the  Prophets  jars  very  harshly  amid  the  sacred  memories  of  Brain- 
erd ;  and  to  all  such  teachings  we  can  only  say,  '''' Proail,  O,  procid,  este  profani.''''     Is 


328  THE  HISTORY  OF 

was  a  happy  thought  of  Benjamin  Douglass,  Esq.,  that  if  young  Christian  gentlemen  wish 
to  become  acquainted  with  the  noble  languages  of  antiquity  they  should  learn  them  in 
Christian,  instead  of  Pagan  authors.  The  sensual  stories  of  the  old  poets  are  to  be  set 
aside,  and  the  Latin  and  Greek  of  the  early  Christian  heroes  to  take  their  places.  And 
for  this  Dr.  March  pleads  most  eloquently.  "If  these  standards  are  well  set,  if  truth  is 
more  beautiful  than  beauty,  if  power  is  more  graceful  than  grace,  if  those  books  are  the 
highest  educational  powers  which  contain  the  noblest  delineations  of  character,  there 
would  seem  to  be  one  class  of  authors  who  have  not  been  used  to  the  full,  I  mean  the 
early  Christian  writers  in  Greek  and  Latin.  It  is  the  great  fadl  of  history  that  the  sen- 
sualism of  Rome  and  Greece,  the  best  side  of  which  Horace  has  so  well  sung,  gave  place 
to  self-abnegation,  to  heroism,  to  a  virtue  which  rejoiced  in  pain  and  suffering  for  the  love 
of  truth.  To  read  the  expression  of  this  new  charadler,  when  that  expression  was  a6lion, 
and  a  man  put  his  life  and  death  on  each  word,  is  high  reading.  The  Latin  hymns,  too, 
have  the  right  ring.  There  was  no  original  poetry  in  the  heathen  Latin  verses.  The  repe- 
tition of  these  Greek  prettinesses  never  roused  the  Roman.  His  chara<5ler  was  stern,  hard 
and  fierce.  His  mind  was  bent  on  empire.  Death  did  not  daunt  him.  To  suffer  and  die 
with  rejoicing  for  truth  suited  men  of  the  blood  of  Regulus  and  Curtius,  and  roused  their 
faculties  at  last  to  the  height  of  song.  The  love  of  Christ  melted  them.  They  burst  the 
shackles  of  the  Greek  meters,  shook  off  the  stiffness  of  the  Latin  syntax,  and  sang  the 
early  Christian  hymns.  It  is  strange  that  our  children  should  spend  years  on  the  faint 
Homeric  echoes  of  Virgil,  and  commit  to  memory  the  graceful  epicureanism  of  Horace, 
and  never  see  the  Dies  irae.  There  is  no  ode  of  Horace,  or  any  ode  of  a  heathen  Roman, 
that  on  the  ground  of  its  power,  its  harmony,  its  influence,  its  fame,  has  a  hundredth  part 
of  the  claim  to  the  careful  study  of  our  scholars."  God  hasten  the  day  when  Christian 
classics  shall  take  the  place  of  the  classics  of  Greece  and  Rome  which  must  be  expur- 
gated to  make  them  fit  for  young  people  to  read.  All  honor  to  Lafayette  for  this  step  in 
the  right  dire6lion. 

WILLIAM    CASSADY    CATTELL. 
[From  "Prominent  Pennsylvanians."] 

William  Cassady  Cattell,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  a  distinguished  educator  and  preacher,  was  born  at  Salem,  New 
Jersey,  August  30,  1827.  As  a  boy  he  attended  the  private  schools  of  Salem,  and  in  1S4S  graduated  at  Princeton  Col- 
lege.    Having  the  ministry  in  view,  he  entered  the  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  and  graduated  there  in  1852. 

He  began  his  work  as  an  educator  in  1S53,  as  Associate  Principal  of  the  Edge  Hill  School  at  Princeton.  In  1855 
he  was  ele(5ted  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages  at  Lafayette  College,  where  his  fine  scholarship  and  his  remarkable 
ability  as  a  teacher  made  him  very  popular  among  the  students.  In  1859  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  and  at  once  displayed  the  executive  ability  that  was  afterwards  so  conspicuous  when  he  was  placed,  four 
years  later,  at  the  head  of  the  college. 

He  resigned  his  chair  at  Lafayette  to  become  the  first  pastor  of  the  Pine  Street  Presbyterian  Church  at  Harris- 
burg,  where  he  was  installed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle  in  the  spring  of  i860.  His  pastoral  work  there  began  just 
before  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war,  and  it  continued  during  the  time  that  city  was  as  one  great  camp,  down  to  the 
closing  days  of  1863  ;  and  the  writer  of  the  letter  adds  :  "  In  the  urgent  demands  made  upon  the  citizens  of  Harris- 
burg,  when  the  bloody  battles  fought  in  Virginia,  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  filled  the  hospitals  of  the  city  with 
thousands  of  wounded  soldiers,  no  one  was  more  a<5Uve  to  relieve  the  sick  or  more  tenderly  ministered  to  the  dying, 
than  the  pastor  of  the  Pine  Street  Church." 

The  pulpit  utterances  of  such  a  man  could  not  fail  to  attraifl  public  attention,  and  the  Harrisburg  Telegraph,  in 
referring  to  one  of  his  sermons  repeated  by  request,  says  :  "  The  crowd  on  the  occasion  was  greater  than  any  which 
ever  assembled  to  hear  the  delivery  of  any  sermon  in  the  city.  The  church  was  thronged  long  before  the  appointed 
hour  for  the  delivery  of  the  sermon,  while  the  sidewalks  in  the  vicinity  of  the  church  were  covered  with  a  patient  mass 
of  men  and  women  anxious  to  get  within  hearing  distance." 


WILLIAM  CASSADV  CATTELL,  D.  D.,  LL.  D. 
Ex-President  Lafayette  College. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  329 

It  was  in  Odober,  1863,  that  he  was  called  from  the  work  he  so  successfully  conducfled  at  Harrisburg  to  a  new  and 
wider  sphere  of  usefulness— the  crowning  work  of  his  life — to  the  Presidency  of  Lafayette  College. 

The  general  depression  which  followed  the  outbreak  of  the  war  was  felt  very  seriously  at  Lafayette.  In 
August  of  1863,  President  McPhail  resigned,  and  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  called  in  Philadel- 
phia "to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  suspending  operations  under  increasing  embarrassments,"  and  it 
seemed  as  if  the  doors  of  the  institution  would  be  permanently  closed. 

President  Cattell  entered  upon  his  duties  in  Oftober,  1863,  and  was  inaugurated  in  the  old  college  chapel  at  the 
ensuing  Commencement,  July,  1864.  Governor  Pollock,  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in  his  introductory 
address,  after  referring  to  the  recent  discouragements  and  gloom  of  the  friends  of  the  college,  says ;  "  At  this  hour, 
and  in  analogy  with  nature,  now  robed  in  sunshine  and  smiling  after  the  storm,  the  light  of  a  genial  sun  now  pouring 
down  upon  us  through  the  riven  and  scattered  clouds,  Lafayette  College  stands  revealed  in  the  light  of  returning 
prosperity,  and  all  without  betokens  favor,  success  and  triumph  !  We  have  met  to-day  to  witness  the  inauguration  of 
one  well  known  and  appreciated  by  you  all,  and  who  has  been  honored  by  a  most  happy,  cordial  and  unanimous 
selection  by  the  Synod  and  Board  of  Trustees.  We  present  him  to  you  as  the  scholar  and  the  man — the  highest  style 
of  man — the  Christian  gentleman,  and  one  who  combines  in  a  remarkable  degree  the  quiet  dignity  of  the  Christian 
minister,  the  accomplishments  of  the  scholar,  and  the  no  less  important  qualifications  of  an  administrative  officer." 

And  Professor  March,  in  the  "College  Book"  (published  by  Houghton,  Osgood  &  Co.,  Boston,  1878),  says:  "  He 
had  been  everywhere  greatly  successful.  '  The  new  President,'  says  Ik.  Marvel,  who  knows  him,  'has  wondrous  win- 
ning ways.'  Things  began  at  once  to  brighten.  The  alumni  showed  new  interest  in  the  college;  students  began  to 
come  in  ;  donations  of  money  were  obtained  which  relieved  immediate  wants  ;  but  the  first  great  '  winning'  was  the 
good  will  of  Mr.  A.  Pardee,  of  Hazleton,  and  the  demonstration  of  it  (his  first  gift  of  $20,000  to  the  college)  was 
described  by  Dr.  Cattell,  at  a  banquet  given  to  him  by  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  in  1869,  upon  the  eve  of  his  depar- 
ture for  Europe. 

Every  well-informed  friend  of  education  is  familiar  with  the  rapid  and  steady  growth  of  Lafayette  College  under 
the  administration  of  President  Cattell.  It  has  been  described  by  the  graceful  pen  of  Mr.  Donald  G.  Mitchell  (Ik. 
Marvel)  in  Scribner's  Magazine  (December,  1876),  and  more  fully  by  Professor  Owen,  in  his  "  Historical  Sketches  of 
Lafayette  College,"  prepared  during  the  centennial  year  at  the  request  of  the  United  States  Commissioner  of  Education. 

In  1863  the  curriculum  at  Lafayette  was  the  traditional  college  course,  based  mainly  on  the  study  of  Latin  and 
Greek,  but  the  second  year  of  President  Cattell's  administration  was  signalized  by  a  large  advance  in  the  direction  of 
scientific  studies.  The  classical  course  was  still  continued.  In  fatt,  the  catalogue  stated  that  the  policy  at  Lafayette 
would  be  to  give  it  greater  efficiency  year  by  year,  "  not  only  as  the  regular  introduction  to  the  special  professional 
study  of  theology,  medicine,  law  and  teaching,  but  also  as  a  thoroughly  tried  means  of  securing  the  culture  and  eleva- 
tion of  mind,  and  of  imparting  the  useful  and  liberal  learning  which  becomes  a  Christian  scholar."  But  new  courses 
of  scientific,  technical  and  post-graduate  studies  were  successively  added  until  "under  this  administration  Lafayette 
has  risen  to  her  present  commanding  position,  embracing  departments  of  instruction  widely  different  in  specific  scope 
and  aim,  yet  brought  into  stimulating  contact,  and  so  into  the  unity  of  a  harmonious  progress"  (Prof.  Owen's  Sketches). 
Of  course  this  rapid  and  splendid  development,  the  history  of  which,  says  the  New  York  Chrislian  Weekly,  "  reads 
like  a  romance,"  required  the  expenditure  of  large  sums  of  money  for  the  new  buildings  with  their  scientific  equip- 
ment, and  for  the  support  of  the  increased  number  of  professors.  And  from  all  sides,  in  response  to  the  appeals  of 
the  enthusiastic  and  ever-hopeful  president,  came  the  donations,  so  that  the  capital  stock  of  the  college,  which  in  1863 
was  scarcely  $50,000,  rose  in  a  few  years  to  nearly  a  million.  The  hard  times  commencing  in  1873,  and  which  pro- 
duced for  many  years  such  financial  distress  throughout  the  country,  seriously  crippled  President  Cattell  in  his  plans 
for  the  continued  increase  of  the  college  endowments.  But  the  printed  tables  accompanying  his  annual  report  to  the 
trustees  show  that  in  1879,  after  four  years  of  heroic  struggle,  the  current  expenses  of  the  college  were  fully  met  and 
the  "  capital  stock"  again  increased.  These  tables  report  the  same  gratifying  results  each  year  till  the  close  of  his 
administration,  notwithstanding  the  added  strain  and  toil  to  the  president  that  followed  the  destruftion  of  Pardee 
Hall  by  fire  in  1879. 

President  Cattell  always  aimed  to  continue  in  the  college  the  Christian  work  begun  by  his  pious  predecessors. 
The  subjett  of  his  inaugural  address  was  "The  Bible  as  a  College  Te.xt-Book."  The  year  following  his  inauguration 
a  religious  revival  took  place,  which  Professor  Owen  describes  as  "  perhaps  the  most  remarkable  of  the  great  revivals 
that  have  charatlerized  the  recent  history." 

As  a  further  testimony  to  his  great  work,  from  those  who  have  watched  it  most  closely  and  with  the  deepest  per- 
sonal interest,  the  following  letter  from  Professor  March  has  a  peculiar  and  significant  value.  It  is  taken  from  a  report 
in  the  College  Journal,  April,  1882,  of  a  banquet  given  to  President  Cattell  by  the  Alumni  Association  of  Philadelphia 
on  his  return  from  a  visit  to  Europe : 

Easton,  Pa.,  April,  1882. 

The  Faculty  of  Lafayette  College  desire  me  to  thank  the  Philadelphia  Alumni  Association  for  their  kind  invitation 
to  be  present  at  the  reception  to  be  given  to  President  Cattell  on  the  evening  of  Thursday,  April  13th.  If  there  is  any 
reason  for  which  the  Faculty  might  be  e.\cused  for  going  off  in  a  body  it  is  that  we  might  join  the  Alumni  in  honoring 


330  THE  HISTORY  OF 

the  President  who  has  cheerfully  met  so  many  trials  and  borne  so  much  toil  for  the  college,  who  has  led  its  friends  to 
so  many  triumphs  over  such  great  obstacles,  and  who  hold  such  a  place  in  the  affection  and  esteem  of  all  his  asso- 
ciates.    We  send  our  heartiest  congratulations.  F.  A.  March. 

But  these  "  many  trials"  and  "  much  toil"  of  an  administration  that  led  the  college  to  "  so  many  triumphs  over 
such  great  obstacles"  could  scarcely  fail,  after  twenty  years  to  tell  upon  the  President's  health.  In  his  report  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  1SS3,  printed  in  the  College  Journal  oi  March,  he  says:  "With  such 
pleasant  recollections  of  the  year  just  closed  (the  most  delightful  to  me  since  my  connection  with  the  college),  and 
with  such  a  brightening  outlook,  I  enter  upon  the  twentieth  year  of  my  Presidency  with  only  one  misgiving  ;  and  that 
is,  whether,  in  the  present  state  of  my  health,  I  have  the  strength  fully  to  discharge  the  arduous  and  responsible  duties 
which  are  inseparable  from  my  position.  I  am  deeply  grateful  for  the  generous  and  unfailing  support  of  my  col- 
leagues in  the  Board  and  in  the  Faculty,  and  of  the  Alumni,  but  even  with  this  help  the  continuous  an.xiety  and  strain 
of  my  ordinary  work,  and  the  necessity  at  times  of  unusually  severe  and  prolonged  exertion,  seem  to  me  to  demand 
more  than  my  present  strength.  But  I  am  firmly  persuaded  that  the  great  work  here  will  continue  with  increasing 
power  and  usefulness,  whoever  may  be  the  men  honored  of  God  to  carry  it  on." 

And  this  foreshadowing  of  his  retirement  from  the  arduous  duties  of  the  Presidency,  taking  definite  shape  as  the 
year  passed  on,  called  forth  from  the  public  press,  religious  and  secular,  universal  expressions  of  regret  and  of  high 
appreciation  of  the  great  work  he  had  accomplished  for  the  college. 

Dr.  Cattell  received  the  honorary  degree  of  D.  D.  from  Princeton,  and  also  from  Hanover  College,  Indiana,  and 
that  ol  LL.  D.  from  the  University  of  Wooster,  Ohio.  He  was  Commissioner  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  1863,  and  again  in  1876,  when  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Assembly's  Committee  on  Education.  In  1872 
he  was  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia. 

He  has  made  several  visits  to  Europe  and  the  East,  and  his  travels  and  observations  thereon  have  formed  the  sub- 
jedt  of  numerous  ledures  and  public  addresses.  His  preface  to  the  report  of  the  Hon.  C.  C.  Andrews  (Minister  to 
Sweden;  upon  the  educational  systems  of  Sweden  and  Norway,  made  to  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Education, 
shows  his  interest  in  all  educational  matters  and  his  habits  of  careful  observation  at  home  and  abroad.  He  was  sent 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  as  a  Commissioner  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Scotland  and  to  the  Reformed  Church  in  Bohemia  in  1S69,  and  again  in  1S81.  One  of  the  pastors  in  Bohe- 
mia, Rev.  L.  B.  Kaspar,  of  Hradiste,  in  a  letter  to  the  New  York  Evangelist,  December  29,  1881,  thus  speaks  of  Dr. 
Cattail's  visits  to  that  country  :  "  This  is  not  the  first  time  that  Dr.  Cattell  has  come  to  Bohemia.  He  was  here  in  1869 
and  1870.  That  welcome  visit  is  still  remembered  by  many.  It  was  more  than  an  occasional  tourist's  trip.  At  that 
time  Sunday  School  work  was  almost  unknown  in  our  church.  Dr.  Cattell  noticed  this  lack,  and  set  himself  at  once 
on  calling  attention  to  it.  In  public  addresses  and  in  private  conversation  he  pressed  the  subject  on  our  pastors  and 
people.  Since  that  time  his  name  has  been  closely  associated  with  the  Sunday  School  work  in  our  church.  I  trust 
that  on  the  present  visit  he  has  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  that  his  efforts  have  not  been  spent  in  vain.  We  have  a 
respectable  number  of  Sunday  Schools  now,  and  the  work  is  growing  still.  And  very  well  may  I  speak  again  of  Dr. 
Cattell's  efforts.  He  was  not  satisfied  by  coming  to  the  capital  and  looking  at  matters,  as  it  were,  through  a  telescope, 
but  he  spent  much  time  in  actually  going  about  the  country  from  place  to  place— which  is  not  alwaj-s  very  comfortable, 
I  can  assure  you.  Even  this  small,  out-of-the-way  place  in  the  mountainous  part  of  Bohemia  (where  this  letter  is 
written)  has  had  the  honor  of  his  presence  on  a  stormy  Sunday  three  weeks  ago." 

And  another  pastor  in  Bohemia,  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Szalatnay,  of  Velim,  in  a  letter  to  the  New  York  Independent,  re- 
ferring to  Dr.  Cattell's  agency  in  establishing  Sunday  Schools  in  his  country,  says  :  "  We  speak  of  him  as  the  father  of 
our  Sunday-schools." 

In  the  midst  of  his  arduous  college  duties,  President  Cattell  found  time  to  deliver  frequent  addresses  at  Educa- 
tional Conventions  and  Teachers'  Institutes  in  various  parts  of  the  country  which  have  been  widely  noticed,  especially 
his  address  before  the  Pennsylvania  State  Teachers'  Convention  in  the  Academy  of  Music,  Philadelphia,  upon  the 
place  of  the  "Christian  Latin  and  Greek  in  Classical  Education,"  and  the  address  before  the  same  body  at  West 
Chester,  on  "  Technical  Education."  In  i860  he  delivered  the  commencement  oration  before  the  literary  societies  of 
his  Alma  Mater  at  Princeton.  His  speech  at  the  great  ceremony  of  the  inauguration  of  the  statue  of  General  Lafayette 
in  Union  Square,  New  York,  was  reprinted  in  France.  Among  the  many  articles  from  his  busy  pen  that  show  his 
thorough  work  upon  the  subjects  taken  in  hand  may  be  mentioned  his  monograph  upon  what  are  called  the  German 
Peace  Churches  of  Pennsylvania,  contributed  to  the  "  Schaff-Hertzog  Encyclopedia,"  under  the  title  "  Tunkers." 

President  Cattell's  interest  in  all  educational  matters  has  made  him  many  friends  among  the  teachers  in  our  public 
schools,  with  whom  he  has  always  been  in  hearty  sympathy.  Hence,  when  he  was  tendered  the  appointment  by  Gov- 
ernor Hoyt  of  the  position  of  State  Superintendent  of  Instruttion,  the  friends  of  the  common  school  system  looked 
hopefully  for  his  acceptance.  But  the  interests  of  Lafayette  College  were  too  dear  to  him,  and  though  the  work  was 
congenial,  he  declined  the  appointment.  A  rumor  of  his  appointment  to  this  office  having  gained  currency  a  year  or 
two  before,  called  forth  the  following  protest  against  his  leaving  Lafayette  by  the  editor  of  The  Presbyterian,  of  Phila- 
delphia :  "We  know  that  the  men  who  cannot  be  spared  from  the  places  they  are  filling  are  just  the  men  who  are 
sought  after  for  other  places  ;  but  clearly,  Lafayette  College  has  the  first  mortgage  on  Dr.  Cattell.  He  has  linked  his 
name  so  thoroughly  with  its  growth  and  its  splendid  success  that  he  ought  not  to  be  separated  from  it,  and  therefore. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


331 


while  we  recognize  tlie  wise  forecast  of  those  who  have  named  him  for  the  important  post  of  Superintendent  of  Public 
Education  in  the  Commonwealth,  we  make  earnest  protest  in  advance  against  any  movement  which  will  remove  Dr. 
Cattell  from  the  post  which  he  fills  so  worthily  and  so  usefully." 

The  Lafayette  College  Journal,  published  by  the  students,  quotes  the  above  and  adds  :  "  We  thank  our  friends  of 
The  Presbyterian  for  this  graceful  and  well-deserved  compliment  paid  to  our  worthy  President,  and  we  assure  them 
the  Doctor  will  never  leave  Lafayette  and  "  his  boys."  We  cannot  think  of  Lafayette  without  thinking  of  her  genial 
President,  nor  do  we  see  how  the  two  could  be  disconnetted.  The  true  prosperity  of  the  college  dates  from  his  inaugu- 
ration as  President.  Since  then  he  has  toiled  unceasingly  for  her  advancement ;  and  all  who  have  watched  the  progress 
of  the  institution  for  the  last  ten  years  can  tell  with  what  success  his  labors  have  been  crowned.  He  has  infused  new 
life  and  energy  into  every  department ;  he  has  enlisted  the  sympathy  of  friends  on  all  sides  and  has  attrafted  munifi- 
cent endowments  from  wealthy  benefadors.  More  than  this,  he  takes  great  interest  in  the  personal  welfare  of  the  stu- 
dents. His  sympathies  also  enter  into  our  sports  and  pastimes,  and  he  enjoys  keenly  to  witness  the  healthy,  vigorous 
games  on  the  college  campus.  He  is  proud  to  see  "  his  boys"  win  applause  by  their  muscular  feats,  and  encourages 
them  in  that  as  well  as  in  their  more  intellectual  efforts.  The  students  think  of  our  President  not  as  does  the  world, 
simply  as  a  most  successful  financier  and  as  an  able  e.xecutive,  but  as  a  warm  personal  friend.  Contrary  to  the  usual 
relations  existing  between  college  officers  and  students,  there  is,  on  the  part  of  our  boys,  a  strong  attachment  to  our 
worthy  President.  In  fait,  we  love  the  kind-hearted  man  who  has  ever  encouraged  us  with  his  smiles,  his  words,  his 
counsel,  his  purse  and  his  prayers." 

This  loving,  hearty  testimony  of  the  students  fairly  illustrates  the  cordial  relations  existing  between  the  President 
of  Lafayette  and  the  young  men  he  is  accustomed  to  speak  of  as  his  "boys."  They  knew  that  in  him  they  had  not 
only  a  wise  mentor  and  a  careful,  conscientious  instruftor,  but  a  warm  and  sympathizing  friend.  They  found  in  him  a 
man  who,  in  the  midst  of  the  serious  work  of  his  life,  still  retained  the  quick  sympathies,  the  kindly  heart  and  the 
"  wondrous  winning  ways"  of  his  youth.  He  has  always  used  his  power  of  personal  magnetism  to  lift  his  students, 
whom  he  so  much  loves,  into  sympathy  with  all  that  is  good  and  pure  and  just  and  righteous  ;  and  he  has  been  truly 
fortunate  in  inspiring  affeftton  such  as  is  seldom  seen  between  men  outside  the  family  relation.  There  are  hundreds 
of  young  men,  scattered  all  over  the  land,  and  many  of  them  occupying  high  positions,  who  never  speak  of  him  but 
with  grateful  love.  Professor  Owen,  who  was  one  of  his  students,  says  in  the  "  Historical  Sketches  ;"  "  His  best  work 
after  all  will  not  be  recorded  in  the  history  of  great  buildings,  of  swelling  endowments  and  new  courses  of  study,  but 
in  the  hearts  and  lives  of  the  hundreds  of  young  men  whose  charadlers  were  moulded  under  his  personal  influence. 
These  will  never  forget  the  kind-hearted  president,  endeared  to  them  alike  as  a  faithful  friend,  a  wise  counsellor,  and 
an  eminent  example  of  a  life  devoted  with  Christian  fidelity  to  a  great  and  good  work." 

President  Cattell  makes  no  secret  of  his  joy  and  pride  in  being  thus  held  in  loving  remembrance  by  "  his  boys  ;  " 
and  even  in  this  brief  sketch  of  his  life  and  character  we  must  make  room  for  a  few  sentences  from  his  address  at  a 
banquet  tendered  to  him  by  the  Seniors  on  his  return  from  Europe  in  1882,  as  they  so  well  illustrate  the  peculiarly 
happy  relations  always  existing  between  him  and  the  students.  The  address  is  published,  with  a  report  of  the  other 
exercises  upon  this  pleasant  occasion,  in  the  College  Jourtial  of  March,  1882  : 

"  I  am  glad  and  grateful  to  be  home  again  ;  and  very  pleasant  to  me  has  been  the  cordial  welcome  I  have  received 
from  my  friends  in  Easton,  where  I  have  spent  more  than  twenty-flve  years  of  my  life,  and  from  my  colleagues  in  the 
faculty,  with  whom  I  have  been  so  long  and  pleasantly  associated.  But  I  am  touched  even  more  deeply  by  the  hearty 
welcome  from  the  students  of  the  college,  which  has  met  me  at  every  turn  in  private,  and  which  culminates  this 
evening  in  the  public  and  official  greeting  you  have  extended  to  me  as  a  class.  *  *  *  And  let  me  assure  you,  my 
dear  young  friends,  that,  after  all,  it  is  just  this  intimate  and  cordial  relation  between  the  students  and  myself^of 
which  this  evening  is  such  a  happy  illustration— that  has  chiefly  sustained  and  nerved  me  in  the  exhausting  work  and 
heavy  responsibility  which  my  position,  as  president  of  the  college,  necessarily  involves.  I  know  the  many  and  great 
opportunities  for  usefulness  this  position  gives,  and  no  man  should  lightly  regard  the  call  of  Providence  to  such  a 
work.  I  know  also  that  to  be  at  the  head  of  a  great  college,  like  Lafayette,  is  generally  regarded  as  an  honorable  dis- 
tinction, and  few  men  would  acknowledge  themselves  indifferent  to  this  ;  yet,  let  me  again  assure  you,  that  the  sus- 
taining force  which  has  kept  me  at  work  for  Lafayette  during  all  these  years  of  toil  and  care  has  not  been  so  much 
these  things  as  the  happy  life  I  have  led  here  among  "  my  boys."  '■••■  *  ■•'  And  I  hold  that  no  other  college  president 
has  a  greater  right  to  be  proud  of  the  character  and  conduct  of  his  boys  than  I  have  to  be  proud  of  mine,  or  who  has 
reason  to  love  them  more — let  me  rather  say,  to  love  them  as  much."     (Great  applause.) 

On  Sunday,  June  24,  1883,  President  Cattell  preached  in  the  college  chapel  his  last  baccalaureate  sermon,  and  on 
Wednesday  presided  for  the  last  time  at  the  public  exercises  of  Commencement  Day,  and  conferred  the  degrees. 

The  Lafayette  College  fournal,  edited  and  published  by  the  students,  devotes  a  large  part  of  its  issue  for  July  to 
the  subject  of  President  Cattell's  resignation,  which,  the  editors  say,  "  was  not  wholly  unexpected,  but  it  causes  none 
the  less  sorrow."  And  this  "  sorrow  "  was  expressed  in  many  of  the  addresses  reported  in  this  number  of  the  fournal 
made  by  the  alumni  who  had  gathered  at  the  annual  festival,  under  the  shadow  of  this  great  loss  to  the  college.  A 
missionary  from  China,  Rev.  Charles  R.  Mills,  D.  D.,  of  the  class  of  1853,  said  at  the  alumni  meeting  on  Tuesday, 
"the  four  sad  days  of  his  life  were  those  on  which   he  heard  of  the  assassination  of  Lincoln,  the  burning  of  Pardee 


332  THE  HISTORY  OF 


Hall,  the  murder  of  Garfield,  and  the  resignation  of  President  Cattell."  The  Alumni  Association,  by  "  a  rising  vote," 
adopted  a  minute  expressing  "their  hearty  appreciation  of  his  distinguished  services,"  and  they  put  upon  record 
"their  fervent  wish  that  some  arrangement  may  be  effected  by  the  trustees  and  the  faculty  by  which  a  season  of  pro- 
longed rest  may  be  secured  to  the  president  without  severing  his  official  connection  with  the  college,  and  they 
earnestly  hope  that  he  will  consent  to  any  reasonable  measures  to  this  end."  In  the  Journal's  report  of  the  alumni 
dinner  the  next  day  these  tributes  to  the  retiring  president  are  renewed.  The  venerable  and  beloved  Dean  of  the 
college.  Dr.  Traill  Green,  who  presided,  "  eloquently  alluded  to  President  Cattell's  great  worth  ;  he  had  served  with 
six  college  presidents  (at  Lafayette  and  other  colleges),  and  he  knew  none  such  as  Dr.  Cattell."  The  Hon.  R.  P. 
Allen,  of  the  class  of  '55,  in  responding  for  the  trustees,  "  spoke  of  the  regret  and  grief  with  which  they  had  accepted 
the  resignation  of  President  Cattell — their  only  comfort  being  that  he  had  left  the  college  in  such  a  prosperous  condi- 
tion ;  "  and  the  Hon.  \Vm.  A.  Porter,  of  the  class  of  '39,  formerly  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  "  eulogized 
President  Cattel,  saying  he  had  advised  him  twenty  years  ago  not  to  accept  the  presidency,  believing  the  condition  of 
the  college  to  be  utterly  hopeless  !  He  rejoiced  that  he  haJbeen  mistaken  ;  but  he  believed  that  no  other  man  living 
could  have  done  what  President  Cattell  has  done." 

The  following  is  the  minute  adopted  by  the  trustees  of  the  college  : 

"  The  Board  of  Trustees  has  received  the  resignation  of  President  Cattell  with  emotions  of  profound  sorrow.  The 
Board  has  most  earnestly  used  its  utmost  endeavors  to  persuade  Dr.  Cattell  to  withdraw  his  resignation  and  accept  an 
indefinite  leave  of  absence,  with  entire  relief  from  all  care  and  responsibility  of  the  college,  but  considerations  of  his 
health,  manifestly  broken,  have  obliged  him  to  decline  their  most  urgent  overtures. 

The  Board  therefore  most  reluctantly  accepts  his  resignation,  to  take  effect  on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  October 
next,  on  which  day  he  will  complete  the  twentieth  year  of  his  presidency.  In  this  action  the  Board  yields  to  a  most 
painful  necessity,  and  against  its  strongest  wishes  that  an  administration  so  fruitful  only  of  good  to  the  college  should 
be  continued  as  long  as  its  distinguished,  honored  and  beloved  President  lives.  It  yields  its  own  wishes  in  the  fond 
hope  that  relief  from  care  may  speedily  bring  back  health  and  strength  to  its  cherished  friend,  and  to  this  only.  The 
Board  rejoices  that  though  Dr.  Cattell  feels  obliged  to  retire  from  the  Presidency  of  the  Faculty,  it  will  still  retain  him 
as  one  of  its  members,  and  thus  have  the  great  benefit  of  his  wise  counsels  and  earnest  devotion  in  the  administration 
of  the  affairs  of  the  college. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  at  a  future  meeting  a  suitable  minute  expressive  of  the  Board's 
appreciation  of  the  great  work  for  the  college  performed  by  Dr.  Cattell,  and  their  deep  grief  at  this  sad  transaction  : 
and  that  this  report  and  minute,  with  Dr.  Cattell's  letter,  be  published  in  the  next  college  catalogue." 

Dr.  Cattell  presided  at  the  public  exercises  in  Pardee  Hall  on  Founder's  Day,  October  24,  1S83.  This  was  his  last 
official  act  as  President  of  the  college.  The  following  week,  with  his  family,  he  sailed  for  Europe.  His  departure  was 
the  occasion  for  many  heartfelt  tributes  in  the  public  journals,  one  of  them,  in  The  Presbylerian,  November  12,  by  a 
graduate  of  the  college.  Rev.  Dr.  McFetridge  (then  a  pastor  in  Philadelphia,  afterwards  Professor  in  Macalester  Col- 
lege), from  which  we  quote  a  few  sentences.  Describing  the  scene  upon  the  deck  of  the  steamer,  were  "  members  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  college  and  of  the  Lafayette  Alumni  Association  of  New  York,  and  other  friends  of  Dr. 
Cattell  from  Easton  and  elsewhere,"  had  gathered  to  bid  the  ex-President  good-bye.  Dr.  McFetridge  says  :  "  Twenty 
years  ago,  as  a  member  of  the  Senior  Class  of  Lafayette,  we  welcomed  Dr.  Cattell  to  Easton  as  our  new  President. 
Since  then  what  changes  have  taken  place  with  that  institution— great  and  grand  changes,  that  have  been  wrought  as 
by  magic  under  the  hand  of  him  who  now  takes  his  departure.  Could  we  keep  out  the  thoughts  that  crowded  upon  us 
to  prevent  the  unbidden  tear?  Other  eyes  were  moist  as  well  as  ours,  and  other  tongues  faltered  as  they  bade  our  be- 
loved friend  and  President  'good-bye.'  Truly  it  was  a  '  God-be-with-thee'  in  the  fullest,  heartiest  sense.  Who  can 
estimate  the  worth  of  such  a  man! — a  man  in  the  truest,  noblest  sense.  Can  the  Presbyterian  Church  ever  estimate 
or  prize  as  she  ought  the  work  that  this  man  has  done?  She  may  sing  his  praises  ever  so  loudly  ;  she  may  cherish  his 
name  and  memory  ever  so  sacredly  ;  she  might  load  him  with  riches  and  honors,  and  then  she  would  not  have  recom- 
pensed him.  And  can  the  friends  of  Christian  education  ever  set  high  enough  value  on  his  services?  He  has  shed  a 
lustre  on  education,  and  made  the  position  of  instructor  doubly  honorable.  And  now  as  he  bids  adieu  to  his  native 
land,  and  to  the  position  in  which  he  cheerfully  sacrificed  health  and  thousands  of  dollars  of  his  private  means,  and  in 
which  he  won  the  hearts  of  so  many  noble  men,  and  of  so  many  young  men  who  came  under  his  personal  influence,  he 
can  be  assured  that  he  will  be  remembered  as  the  great  benefactor  of  Lafayette  College  so  long  as  the  college  endures," 

Dr.  Cattell  spent  the  winter  among  the  snow-clad  mountains  of  Switzerland,  at  the  noted  health  resort  of  Davos- 
Plaiz.  With  returning  health  in  the  early  summer  he  visited  his  numerous  friends  in  different  parts  of  Europe, 
especially  in  Bohemia,  and  then  went  to  Belfast  to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  Presbyterian  Alliance,  to  which  he  had 
been  appointed  a  Delegate  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  America.  The  remainder  of  the  year  was  spent  in  the  fur- 
ther pursuit  of  health  in  the  quiet  and  restful  region  of  the  "  Lake  country"  in  the  north  of  England  and  in  traveling 
leisurely  through  Scotland.  But  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  Dr.  Cattell's  work  was  not  yet  done.  The  following  anounce- 
ment  in  the  journals  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  close  of  the  year  shows  that  during  his  absence  in  Europe  he 
"  was  elected  with  cordial  unanimity"  as  the  executive  of  a  Board  to  which  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  has  committed  a  most  important  and  sacred  trust  : 

"  The    Board  of  Ministerial   Relief  hereby  announces  officially  to  the  churches  that  the  Rev.  William  C.  Cattell, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


333 


D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  was  elected  with  cordial  unanimity  as  Corresponding  Secretary  at  the  annual  meeting  in  June,  1884.  This 
election  took  place  during  Dr.  Cattell's  absence  in  Europe.  In  October  he  returned  to  this  country,  and  after  making 
some  preliminary  acquaintance  with  the  duties  of  his  new  office,  he  entered  upon  their  discharge  December  i.  The 
favorable  record  of  his  past  services,  especially  as  President  for  many  years  of  Lafayette  College,  is  so  well  known  to 
our  churches  that  the  Board  is  well  assured  of  favorable  response  in  now  commending  him  to  their  confidence,  as  in- 
trusted with  this  new  and  sacred  responsibility."  j 

Into  this  tender,  delicate  and  arduous  work  of  caring  for  his  ministerial  brethren  worn  out  in  the  service  of  the 
church,  Dr.  Cattell  has  thrown  himself  with  the  same  enthusiasm  and  with  the  same  marked  results  that  characterized 
his  administration  at  Lafayette. 

Referring  to  Dr.  Cattell's  recent  visit  to  California  in  the  interests  of  his  present  work,  Professor  Burrowes,  who 
was  Dr.  Cattell's  predecessor  in  the  Chair  of  Ancient  Languages  at  Lafayette,  says:  "The  presence  of  Dr.  Cattell  in 
our  Synod  and  churches  is  a  great  refreshment  and  blessing,  not  only  to  his  personal  friends  of  earlier  years,  but  to  all 
hearts  who  have  felt  the  touching  power  of  his  words  and  admired  the  example  shown  in  his  laborious  devotion  to  the 
noble  cause  engaging  the  closing  years  of  a  useful  and  devoted  life.  He  presented  this  cause  in  Los  Angeles  on  Sab- 
bath, Oiitober  2,  reached  San  Francisco  on  the  following  Tuesday,  and  closed  the  busy  engagements  of  that  week  with 
an  able  and  telling  address  in  behalf  of  his  grand  cause  on  Saturday  night  before  the  Synod  of  the  Pacific  in 
Oakland. 

On  Sabbath  morning  he  presented  the  same  subjetl  in  a  very  able  discourse  to  a  large  congregation  in  Calvary 
Church,  in  this  city.  On  the  evening  of  that  day  he  opened  up  the  same  great  cause  in  the  First  Church,  Dr.  Macken- 
zie's, crowded  to  the  utmost  capacity.  The  next  morning  he  took  the  steamer  for  Portland,  to  attend  the  Synod  of 
Oregon.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  his  work  is  engrossing  and  laborious.  It  receives  his  whole  attention,  without  any 
time  needlessly  lost  even  in  intercourse  with  old  friends." 


At  the  close  of  Dr.  Cattell's  administration  we  may  very  properly  look  at  the  work 
accomplished.  At  the  present  writing  (1888)  over  three  thousand  four  hundred  persons 
have  been  enrolled  as  students  of  the  college.  Three  hundred  and  twenty-six  have 
become  physicians ;  nearly  five  hundred  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  more  than  this  num- 
ber lawyers.  Over  two  hundred  have  held  public  office,  among  whom  there  have  been 
eleven  members  of  Congress,  two  Governors,  twenty- nine  Judges,  fifty  members  of  the 
Legislature  in  eight  States.  Messrs.  Cresswell,  Francis  and  Griggs  having  been  speakers 
of  the  State  Senate.  The  remainder  have  held  the  offices  of  Mayor,  Ele(5lors  of  Presi- 
dents, Sheriff,  Consul  and  minor  posts  of  Government. 

Over  two  hundred  have  become  distinguished  as  educators,  eight  having  been  presi- 
dents of  colleges,  seven  professors  in  theological  seminaries,  eight  professors  in  medical 
colleges,  and  eighty  members  of  college  faculties  in  Lafayette  and  other  institutions. 
More  than  one  hundred  have  served  as  home  missionaries,  and  twenty  eight  as  Foreign 
missionaries,  of  whom  five  have  translated  the  Bible  into  other  tongues. 

In  the  literary  world  are  the  names  of  Drs.  Green,  Elliott  and  E.  D.  Yeomans,  as  con- 
tributors to  the  American  edition  of  Lunge's  Commentary.  Other  writers  in  the  depart- 
ment of  theology  are  Revs.  Drs.  Ramsey,  Lowrie,  Porter,  Janvier,  Mills,  Menaul  and  R. 
H.  Nassau,  and  Messrs.  Loewenthal,  Noble,  Long  and  Bransby.  In  the  military  world 
Lafayette  has  a  proud  record.  The  roll  of  honor  shows  the  names  of  two  hundred  and 
twenty-six  graduates,  non-graduates  and  under-graduates,  who  served  in  the  military  and 
naval  service  during  the  war.  Of  those  in  the  army,  six  were  general  officers,  seven 
colonels,  five  lieutenant  colonels,  nine  majors,  twenty  assistant  surgeons,  fifteen  chap- 
lains, twenty-three  captains,  twenty-three  lieutenants,  twenty-five  non-commissioned 
officers,  seventy-seven  privates.  In  the  navy,  one  lieutenant  commander,  one  professor 
of  mathematics,  one  paymaster,  two  assistant  surgeons.  This  is  quite  sufficient  to  show 
that  Lafayette  has  been  successful  in  making  men,  and  of  this  noble  record  her  friends 
have  reason  to  be  proud. 


334 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


As  Dr.  CattelTs  resignation  was  to  take  effedl  Odlober  the  24tli,  the  trustees  were 
adlively  canvassing  the  question  of  a  successor.  There  was  among  the  members  of  the 
trustees  one  who  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  life  of  the  college.  He  had  been  a 
pastor  in  Easton,  and  had  exhibited  a  good  degree  of  efficiency  in  his  work.  He  had 
been  a  member  of  the  Board,  was  a  man  of  large  acquaintance,  and  broad  experience. 
He  was  a  man  of  extended  learning  and  thorough  training — -whose  religious  sympathies 
were  in  perfect  harmony  with 
those  of  the  college.  This 
man  was  Rev.  J.  H.  Mason 
Knox,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Bris- 
tol, Pa.  And  after  due  con- 
sideration by  the  Board  he 
was  unanimously  elected 
President  of  the  Faculty  of 
Lafayette  College. 

J.  H.  Mason  Knox,  D.  D.,  LL.  D. 
J.  H.  Mason  Knox  is  a  native  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  and  was  born  June 
lo,  1824.  His  father  was  Dr.  Jolin 
Knox,  for  more  than  forty  years  pas 
tor  of  the  Collegiate  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  of  that  city.  His  mother  was 
a  daughter  of  John  M.  Mason,  D.  !>., 
an  eminent  Presbyterian  divine, whom 
Dr.  Bethune  called  the  greatest 
preacher  the  American's  had  pro- 
duced. At  an  early  age  Dr.  Knox  en- 
tered Columbia  College,  where  he 
showed  excellent  aptitude  for  study, 
and  graduated  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen. He  entered  the  seminary  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  at  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.  He  received  and 
accepted  a  call  from  the  church  in 
German  Valley,  New  Jersey.  After 
remaining  here  for  five  years  he  moved 
to  Easton  in  response  to  a  call  from 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  on  North 
Fifth  street.  His  pastorate  was  of 
only  two  years  duration,  but  was  very 
successful.  He  left  Easton  to  accept 
a  call  from  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Germantown,  Pa.,  where 
he  spent  sixteen  years  of  great  use- 
fulness. His  next  pastorate  extended 
over  a  period  of  ten  years  at  Bristol, 

Pa.  His  labors  at  this  place  were  interrupted  by  his  eleftion  to  the  Presidency  of  Lafayette  College,  Odober  5,  1883. 
He  had  served  Lafayette  as  a  trustee  for  a  period  of  eighteen  years.  In  each  position  in  which  Providence  placed 
him,  Dr.  Knox  has  shown  marked  fitness  for  the  trust  reposed  in  him.  His  Alma  Mater  long  ago  recognized  these 
accomplishments,  when  in  1861,  it  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  DoiSor  of  Divinity,  and  in  iS8,s,  that  of  Doctor  of 
Laws.  As  a  speaker  the  Dottor  is  impressive  and  forcible.  He  has  a  fine  physique,  cominanding  presence,  and  manly 
bearing.  Socially,  he  is  affable  and  courteous.  No  one  can  converse  with  him  long  without  marking  his  firm  convic- 
tions, and  his  sincerity  in  expressing  them.     He  is  one  of  the  most  conscientious  of  men,  with  a  stern  adherence  to 


H.  Mason  Knox,   D.  D.,  LL.  D., 

President  of  Lafayette  College. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


335 


the  principles  of  rettitude  and  truth.  When  Doftor  Knox  came  to  Lafayette  he  found  himself  surrounded  by  pecu- 
liar circumstances.  Here  was  a  college  rich  in  everything  but  money,  struggling  against  the  tide  of  pecuniary  adver- 
sity. To  guide  the  destines  of  such  an  institution  demanded  a  mind  fruitful  in  resources.  Dr.  Knox  keenly  ap- 
preciated all  of  this,  but  went  to  work  with  a  strong  faith  and  a  sturdy  will,  and  is  hopeful  amid  his  toils.  His 
relations  with  the  students  have  been  kindly  paternal.  The  doctor  is  one  of  those  men  who  must  be  intimately 
known  to  be  fully  appreciated.  His  best  qualities  lie  not  on  the  surface,  but  deep  in  his  soul.  His  full  rounded, 
manly.  Christian  charafter,  and  real  worth  are  not  appreciated  by  casual  acquaintance.  But  the  esteem  is  deeper  from 
an  intimate  association.  After  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Cattell,  and  all  efforts  to  induce  him  to  reconsider  his  action,  had 
failed,  the  Board  of  Trustees  convened  October  5,  1883,  and  unanimously  elected  the  Rev.  James  H.  Mason  Knox 
President  of  the  Faculty.  After  due  consideration  the  call  was  accepted.  Dr.  Knox  was  inaugurated  June  24,  1884, 
and  the  work  of  the  college  goes  bravely  on.  Among  the  many  emotions  that  animate  the  hearts  of  the  friends  of  Lafa- 
yette, hope  shines  clear  and  bright.  The  inauguration  was  a  matter  of  deep  interest  to  the  friends  of  education  in  gen- 
eral, and  to  the  friends  of  Lafayette  it  was  of  special  interest.  The  venerable  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Mr. 
Ario  Pardee,  in  a  few  fitting  words,  conveyed  the  action  of  the  Board,  in  unanimously  electing  Dr.  Knox  to  the  office 
so  filled  with  grave  responsibilities.  Expressing  the  confidence  of  the  Board  in  his  wisdom  and  integrity,  and  taking 
him  by  the  hand,  greeted  him  as  President  of  Lafayette  College.  He  pledged  the  earnest  sympathy,  friendly  counsel, 
hearty  support  of  the  ^oard.  The  President  responded  with  an  address  in  which  many  touching  allusions  were  made 
to  the  heroic  struggles  of  the  past  and  looking  through  them  all  to  the  hopeful  glories  of  the  future.  The  following  sen- 
tence will  not  be  forgotten  by  those  who  heard  it :  "  The  banner  inscribed  to  the  glory  of  God  flung  to  the  breeze  in  the 
early  days  of  its  existence,  to  this  moment  has  never  been  furled  nor  has  its  lustre  been  permitted  to  become  less." 
In  this  age  of  religious  speculation,  this  is  Lafayette's  crown  of  glory,  and  many  prayers  were  uttered  that  the  lustre 
of  this  crown  might  never  grow  dim.  Rev.  Dr.  Ballard,  on  behalfof  the  Faculty,  spoke  kindly  wordsof  welcome.  The 
author  feels  impelled  to  quote  one  sentence  from  this  felicitous  address:  "One  distinquished  educator  inquires  earn- 
estly how  the  English  can  be  elevated  in  our  colleges  to  a  larger  share  of  instruction  and  study.  But  had  our  eminent 
New  England  inquirer  only  condescended  to  come  a  little  further  South  before  asking  his  questions,  our  own  Anglo- 
Saxon  Columbus  would  have  been  most  happy  to  show  him  how,  some  twenty  odd  years  ago,  he  himself  stood  that 
unsteady  philological  egg  on  the  broad  table  of  his  already  historic  class-room."  And  near  the  close  of  Dr.  Ballard's 
address,  he  made  the  pleasant  announcement  that  Hon.  John  L  Blair  had  presented  the  College  fifteen  thousand  dol- 
lars with  which  to  purchase  Dr.  Cattell's  residence  for  the  future  home  of  the  President.  Hon.  R.  E,  James  presented 
the  greeting  of  the  alumni.  "  It  remains  for  me,  as  the  representative  of  Lafayette  alumni,  to  tender  to  you  the  heart 
of  our  college,  the  strong  affections,  earnest  hopes,  and  unwavering  loyalty  of  her  sons — summon  them  to  your  assist- 
ance, they  will  gladly  respond.  And  now,  on  behalfof  these  sons  of  Lafayette,  I  bid  you  welcome  and  God-speed  in 
your  labors."  Thus  closed  one  of  the  most  pleasant  events  in  the  history  of  Lafayette. 
OTHER  MEMBERS  OF  THE  FACULTY. 

Rev.  Addison  Ballard,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Framingham,  Mass.,  0(5t.  18,  1822.  He  prepared  for  college  at  the 
Framingham  Academy,  and  at  the  school  of  his  uncle.  Rev.  James  Ballard,  Bennington,  Vermont,  and  graduated  at 
Williams  College  in  1842.  He  taught  the  Hopkins  Academy  at  Hadley,  Mass.,  one  year  after  graduation.  He  was 
tutor  in  Williams  College  from  September,  1843,  to  June,  1844,  but  left  before  the  expiration  of  the  year  on  account  of 
ill  health.  From  1845  to  1846,  he  was  principal  of  an  Academy  at  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan.  The  following  year  he 
was  engaged  as  a  home  missionary  in  Hand  River  Valley  in  the  same  State.  He  was  then  called  to  the  Professorship 
of  Latin  and  Mathematics  in  the  Ohio  University,  at  Athens.  He  remained  in  this  position  for  seven  years.  The  next 
year  he  was  Professor  of  Rhetoric  in  Williams  College.  From  1855  to  1857  he  was  Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy  and 
Astronomy  in  Marietta  College,  Ohio.  From  1857  to  1866  he  resided  at  Williamstown,  engaged  most  of  the  time  as 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church.  June  i,  1866,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Detroit, 
whence  he  was  called  to  the  Professorship  of  Christian  Greek  and  Latin  in  Lafayette  College  in  1874.  He  has  published 
a  number  of  sermons  and  addresses,  and  is  the  author  of  the  "  Introduction  to  the  Ecclesiastical  History  of  Eusebius." 
Dr.  Ballard  is  a  ripe  scholar,  a  good  writer,  with  large  experience  as  a  professor  in  various  departments  in  our  best  colleges. 

Joseph  G.  Fox,  A.  M.,  C.  E.,  was  born  at  Adams.  Jefferson  County,  N.  J.,  September  7,  1833.  He  was  a  student 
at  the  State  Normal  School,  at  Albany,  and  at  the  Renssalaer  Polytechnic  Institute,  graduating  with  honor  at  each. 
While  pursuing  his  course  at  the  latter  institution  he  afted  as  Instrutfor  in  Mathematics,  and  on  graduating  in  1861, 
he  was  immediately  made  Adjunft  Professor  of  Geology  and  Topographical  Drawing.  During  the  year  1861-2  he  also 
held  the  office  of  Assistant  Engineer  on  the  Troy  and  Albany  Railroad.  For  the  next  ten  years  he  was  a  resident  of 
New  York  City,  and  engaged  in  teaching,  chiefly  as  Principal  of  the  Collegiate  and  Engineering  Institute,  but  also 
holding  the  position  of  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  the  Cooper  Institute  in  1863-4,  and  for  seven  years  following  Diredlor 
and  Professor  of  Mechanics  in  the  same.  He  was  engineer  of  the  Sixth  Brigade,  Second  Division  of  the  National  Guard 
of  New  York,  with  the  rank  of  Major,  on  General  Hamilton's  staff,  and  served  with  the  brigade  during  the  great  draft 
riot  in  New  York,  in  July,  1862,  and  also  in  garrison  duty  in  the  forts  about  New  York  harbor  in  1864.  In  1864  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Columbia  College.  From  1866  to  1871  he  filled  the  chair  Geodesy  and  Mechanical 
Drawing  in  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and  was  engaged  in  the  constru(5tion  of  various  engineering  works. 
In  1872  he  became  Professor  of  Civil  and  Topographical  Engineering  in  Lafayette. 


336  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Rev.  T.  C.  Porter,  D.  D.,  LL.  D. — Professor  Thomas  Conrad  Porter  was  born  at  Alexandria,  Huntingdon  county, 
Penna.,  January  22,  1S22.  His  father  was  John  Porter,  of  Scotch  Irish  stock,  son  of  Thomas  Porter,  who  came  to  this 
country  in  1793,  and  died  early  in  the  present  century.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  more  than 
fifty  years.  His  mother  was  of  German  descent.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  John  Conrad  Bucher,  of  a  prominent 
old  Swiss  family,  came  to  America  in  1755  ;  labored  as  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  eastern  Pennsylvania, 
and  died  as  pastor  of  the  congregation  at  Lebanon  in  1780.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  entered  Lafayette  College  in 
1836,  and  graduated  in  September,  1840,  in  the  same  class  with  Dr.  W.  H.  Green,  of  Princeton,  and  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon,  May  7,  1S44.  He  preached  for  one  year  in  Georgia  ;  in  1S4S,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Second  Reformed  Church  at  Reading,  Pa.,  which  he  resigned  in  May,  1849,  to  become  Professor  of  the 
Natural  Sciences  in  Marshall  College  at  Mercersburg,  Pa.,  then  under  the  presidency  of  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Nevin,  D.  D. 
On  the  removal  of  the  college  to  Lancaster  and  its  consolidation  with  Franklin  College  in  1S53,  he  was  elected  to  the 
same  chair,  and  became  a  member  and  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  and 
chairman  of  the  building  committee.  These  positions  he  resigned  in  July,  1866,  to  accept  from  his  Alma  Mater,  just 
starting  out  on  her  career  of  wonderful  development,  the  Professorship  of  Botany,  Zoology  and  Geology.  This  posi- 
tion he  still  retains.  Besides  the  fulfillment  of  his  duties  as  professor,  during  thirty-nine  years,  Dr.  Porter  has  devoted 
much  time  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  and  has  delivered  many  letlures  and  addresses  on  public  occasions.  Among 
his  printed  works  are  "  The  Life  and  Times  of  Ulric  Zwingle,  the  great  Swiss  Reformer,"  from  the  German  of  Hottin- 
ger;  "The  Life  and  Labors  of  St.  Augustine,"  from  the  German  of  Dr.  Philip  Schaff,  and  a  prose  version  of  Gcethe's 
'*  Herman  and  Dorothea."  The  Mercersburg  Rei'iew  is  indebted  to  him  for  a  number  of  valuable  articles.  Dr. 
Porter  was  an  active  member  of  a  committee,  which  included  the  Rev.  Drs.  Nevin,  Schaff,  Gerhart,  Harbaugh, 
Zacharias  and  Bomberger,  to  frame  the  order  of  worship  now  in  the  Reformed  Church  of  the  United  States.  In  the 
convention  which  celebrated  the  three  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  formation  and  adoption  of  the  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism held  at  Philadelphia  in  January,  1863,  he  read  an  original  biographical  memoir  of  Ursinus  and  Olevianus,  the 
authors  of  the  Catechism,  and  a  translation  of  Dr.  Hundeshagen's  essay  on  the  University  of  Heidelberg,  both  of 
which  are  published  in  the  Tercentenary  Monument.  To  Dr.  Schaff's  "Christ  in  Song,"  he  has  contributed  several 
hymns  and  lyric  poems  from  the  German  and  the  Latin.  In  1865  the  degree  of  Dotlor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon 
him  by  Rutgers  College.  In  18S0  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Franklin  and  Marshall  College. 
He  was  pastor  of  the  Third  Street  Reformed  Church,  Easton,  Pa.,  from  September  i,  1877,  to  Augnst  i,  1884.  Dr. 
Porter  is  known  in  the  scientific  world  chiefly  as  a  botanist.  One  of  the  founders  and  first  president  of  the  Linnaean 
Society  of  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  he  explored  its  territory  for  thirteen  years,  deposited  his  collection  in  the  museum 
of  the  society,  and  published  a  catalogue  of  the  flora  in  Dr.  Mombert's  History.  His  extensive  herbarium,  now  in  the 
possession  of  Lafayette  College,  is  the  result  of  the  untiring  labors  of  more  than  forty  years,  and  contains  specimens 
from  many  foreign  countries,  but  is  especially  rich  in  the  plants  of  the  United  States,  both  east  and  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. It  contains  a  collection  from  Pennsylvania,  which  is  by  far  the  best  and  fullest  in  existence.  The  collettions 
made  by  Dr.  F.  V.  Hayden  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  the  year  1870  to  1874,  passed  through  the  professor's  hands, 
and  his  reports  upon  them  are  to  be  found  in  the  publications  of  the  Survey  by  the  Government.  Of  these,  the  most 
important,  "A  Synopsis  of  the  Flora  of  Colorado,"  prepared  conjointly  with  Professor  J.  M.  Coulter  of  Wabash 
College  in  a  separate  volume.  To  "Gray's  Topographical  Atlas  of  Pennsylvania"  Dr.  Porter  furnished  a  summary  of 
the  flora  of  the  State,  and  in  a  similar  atlas  from  the  same  publisher,  a  sketch  of  the  Botany  of  the  United  States, 
both  illustrated  by  colored  maps.  He  is  a  corresponding  member  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  and  of  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  Philadelphia,  and  of  other  learned  bodies  of  like  kind  elsewhere.  He  is  also  a  fellow 
of  the  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  and  a  member  of  the  Torrey  Botanical  Club,  New  York. 
In  May,  188S,  the  docffor  went  to  Europe,  expecting  to  spend  the  summer  in  a  pleasant  ramble  in  the  old  countries, 
and  attend  to  the  duties  of  a  delegate  to  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Council  in  England. 

Rev.  Robert  Barber  Youngman,  A.  M.,  Easton,  Pa.— Born  at  Danville,  November  18,  1836;  valedictorian; 
tutor,  '60-3  ;  adjunct  professor  of  Latin  and  Greek,  '63-S  ;  professor  of  the  Greek  Language  and  Literature  since  '68, 
and  clerk  of  the  faculty  since  '60;  he  studied  theology  privately  with  the  late  Rev.  John  Gray,  D.D.,  of  Easton,  and 
was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  April  20,  '64 ;  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh, 
January  6,  '74. 

William  Baxter  Owen,  A.  M.,  was  born  at  Wysox,  Bradford  County,  Pa.  He  entered  the  Sophomore  class  and 
graduated  in  1871.  He  received  the  Fowler  prize  and  was  valedictorian  of  his  class.  He  became  tutor  in  1S71-4,  and 
was  then  appointed  Adjunct  Professor  of  Greek.  He  contributed  notes  to  editions  of  Eusebius  and  Athenagoras  in  the 
series  of  Douglass  Christian  Classics.  He  is  the  author  of  "Historical  Sketches  of  Lafayette  College,"  prepared  at 
the  request  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education.     He  is  now  Professor  of  the  Latin  language  and  Literature. 

James  W.  Moore,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Easton.  He  was  a  student  in  Lafayette,  and  graduate  n  1864.  He 
was  the  Latin  Salutatorian.  He  taught  in  Easton  from  1S64  to  1S65,  and  was  Tutor  in  1866-8.  He  graduated  at  the 
Medical  Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1869.  He  was  Adjun(ft  Professor  during  1868-72,  and  from 
that  time  he  has  been  Professor  in  the  Department  of  Mechanics  and  Experimental  Philosophy.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Northampton  County  Medical  Society,  and  a  Fellow  of  the  American  Academy  of  Medicine,  and  of  the  American 
Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


337 


Charles  McIntire,  Jr.,  A.  M.,  M.  U.,  resided  in  Easton  wliile  in  college  at  Lafayette.  He  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  graduated  with  Honorary  Oration  in  the  class  of  1868.  He  entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  in  1873.  He  was  Assistant  and  Adjuntt  Professor  of  Chemistry  from  1868  to 
1S70.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers  and  Fellow  of  the  American  Academy  of  Medi- 
cine. He  showed  himself  an  e.xpert  in  Chemical  Analysis  in  the  analysis  of  the  contents  of  the  stomachs  of  the  mur- 
dered Laros  family.  He  is  a  specialist  in  diseases  of  the  eye,  to  which  he  gives  constant  attention.  He  serves  the 
College  in  the  capacity  of  leSurer  on  hygiene,  and  takes  charge  of  the  students  in  gymnasium  in  which  he  takes  great 
interest. 

Joseph  Johnston  Hardy,  A.  M.,  was  born  in  England  in  1844.  He  received  collegiate  training  in  Lafayette. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  class  of  1870.  He  received  the  Junior  Mathematical  prize,  and  was  valedictorian  of  his 
class.  He  became  Tutor  in  Lafayette  in  1S70-74,  since  which  time  he  has  been  Adjuna  Professor  and  Professor  of 
Mathematics. 


Edward  Hart,  Ph.  D.,  was  born  at  Doylestown,  Pa.,  November  18,  1854.  He  pursued  his  studies  in  his  native 
place  until  he  became  a  special  student  of  chemistry,  first  under  Professor  Drown  in  Philadelphia,  and  afterward  as  the 
incumbent  of  a  Fellowship  in  the  Johns  Hopkins  University.  In  1874  he  came  to  Lafayette  as  an  assistant  in  the  labor- 
atories. He  was  at  Johns  Hopkins  University  in  1876-78,  where  in  the  latter  year  he  issued  a  Hand-Book  of  Volu- 
metric Analysis,  326  pp.  12  mo.  In  September,  1878,  he  returned  to  Lafayette  as  Adjuntt  Professor  of  General 
Chemistry,  and  since  1883,  Professor. 

William  S.  Hall,  C.  E.,  M.  S.,  tutor  in  Engineering  and  Graphics,  was  born  in  Chester,  Pa.,  June  27,  1861.  He 
pursued  his  preparatory  course  at  the  Chester  Academy,  1876.  He  entered  Lafayette  College  in  1881,  and  graduated 
in  1884.     Immediately  after  graduating  he  was  appointed  Instrudlor  in  Civil  Engineering  and  Graphics  in  Lafayette. 

Justus  Mitchel  Silliman,  was  born  at  New  Canaan,  Fairfield  county.  Conn.,  January  25,  1842.  His  pre- 
paratory education  was  obtained  at  the  New  Canaan  Academy.  During  the  late  war  he  served  three  years  in  the 
army  of  the  Potomac  and  of  the  South.  From  i865-'70  he  taught  in  the  Troy  Academy,  Troy,  New  York.  In  1867  he 
entered  the  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute,  and  graduated  in  1870,  when  he  became  professor  of  Mining  Engineering 
and  Graphics  in  Lafayette.  He  is  a  fellow  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers.  In  the  proceedings  of  the  former  were  published  the  results  of 
his  examination  of  the  Bessemer  Flame  with  colored  glasses,  and  with  the  Spectroscope. 

Rev.  Augustus  Alexis  Bloombergh,  Ph.  D.,  was  born  in  Uffenheim,  Bavaria,  February  13,  1835.  He  pursued 
a  full  course  of  study  in  the  Gymnasium  of  Ansbach,  and  in  1S52  became  a  student  of  law  in  the  University  of  Wurz- 
burg,  where  he  remained  three  years.  After  some  years  spent  in  teaching  he  entered  Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  1864,  and  completed  his  course  in  1867.  While  there  he  was  tutor  of  Latin  in  the  college  of  New  Jersey,  1865 
and  '67.  In  1867  he  entered  upon  his  duties  as  professor  of  Modern  Languages  in  Lafayette.  On  January  6,  1874,  he 
was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  by  the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh.    He  has  written  numerous  articles  for  the  Quarterlies. 

Francis  Andrew  March,  Jr.,  adjunct  professor  of  Modern  Languages,  was  born  in  the  house  of  Prof.  F.  A. 
March,  on  the  college  grounds,  March  2,  1863.  His  mother,  Mildred  Stone  Conway,  belongs  to  a  family,  eminent  in 
literature  and  the  professions,  descended  on  the  female  side  from  Governor  Stone,  Cromwell's  governor  of  Maryland, 
through  Thomas  Stone,  the  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  on  the  other  side  from  the  Daniels,  of 
Virginia,  who  are  of  the  nearest  Washington  blood.  They  count  in  the  later  generations  a  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  a  surgeon  general  of  the  United  States,  attorney  general  and  judges  of  Virginia,  and  in 
literature  Moncure  D.  Conway,  John  M.  Daniel  of  the  Richmond  Examiner,  Senator  Daniel  of  Virginia,  and  others. 

Prof.  March  graduated  at  the  Easton  High  School  in  1877  with  the  highest  rank,  completing  the  four  years  course 
in  three  years,  and  entered  college  the  same  year.  He  took  the  mathematical  prize  in  the  Junior  year,  and  was  editor 
in  chief  of  the  Melange.  In  the  Senior  year  he  was  president  of  the  Franklin  Literary  Society,  and  graduated  as  an 
honor  man,  delivering  the  valediftory  addresses  on  commencement  day. 

After  graduating  he  was  invited  to  be  assistant  in  the  department  of  chemistry  in  the  college;  but  declined,  and 
was  enrolled  in  the  post-graduate  courses  in  philology.  He  taught  in  Trach's  Academy  in  Easton  the  first  year.  The 
second  year  he  was  appointed  tutor  in  the  college.  In  1883  he  was  appointed  assistant  in  English  at  Cornell  University, 
and  heard  the  classes  of  Prof.  Corson  there  during  his  absence  in  the  winter  term. 

He  was  elected  adjunct  professor  of  Modern  Languages  at  Lafayette  in  1884,  and  has  served  ever  since  in  that 
department,  paying  special  attention  to  English  and  French.  He  has  also  been  employed  since  1886  on  the  etymolo- 
gical department  of  the  Century's  Dictionary.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Philological  Association,  and  in  18S4 
he  visited  the  old  world  and  made  the  acquaintance  of  many  of  the  most  eminent  philologists. 

Professor  March  was  fond  of  athletics  in  college,  a  member  of  the  college  base  ball  nine,  and  a  winner  of  prizes 
in  various  events.     His  interest  is  still  unabated. 

Samuel  L.  Fisler,  A.  M.,  Easton,  Pa.,  born  in  Gloucester  county.  New  Jersey;  prepared  for  college  at  the 
Edgehill  School  in  New  Jersey,  and  at  Academia,  in  each  of  which  he  was  an  assistant  teacher  ;  graduated  with  honorary 


338  THE  HISTORY  OF 

oration;  laught  at  Towanda, '61-5  ;  on  account  of  failing  health  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  preparation  for 
professional  life,  and  became  superintendent  of  lumber  manufacturing  at  Bear  Creek,  '65-9 ;  was  the  first  president  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Easton  ;  since  '69  has  superintended  the  improvement  of  the  college  grounds 
and  the  construction  of  the  new  buildings,  and  since  '73  has  been  treasurer  of  the  college.  He  also  superintended  the 
rebuilding  of  Pardee  Hall. 

It  is  a  gratification  to  the  author  that,  at  his  request,  he  has  been  furnished  with  the 
following  correction  and  addition  to  the  notice  already  given  of  Dr.  Addison  Ballard. 

In  1S42  he  was  graduated  at  Williams  College  with  the  first  honor  of  his  class  ;  Dr.  Hopkins  since  having  remarked 
to  the  friend  who  supplies  this  information,  that   "  his  Valedictory  Oration  and  Address  was  the  first  which  had  not 

received  a  stroke   of  his   pen  in   the  way  of 

From  his  Professorship  in  Williams,  on 
account  of  illness  in  his  family,  he  resigned  in 
1S55,  accepting  a  call  to  the  Professorship  of 
.Astronomy,  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philoso- 
phy in  Marietta  College,  against  the  earnest 
wish  of  President  Hopkins  and  the  entire 
body  of  students  under  his  charge,  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  following  petition  and  memo- 
rial, which  the  Doctor  still  retains,  and  among 
the  signatures  of  which  paper  is  found  the 
autograph  of  James  A.  Garfield  : 

"The  undersigned,  students  of  Williams 
College,  having  learned  with  deep  regret  that 
Professor  Ballard  contemplates  dissolving  his 
connection  with  this  Institution,  beg  leave  to 
present  to  him  this  memorial  and  petition  : 

"That  his  connection  here  as  Instructor 
has  been  to  us  both  pleasant  and  profitable, 
and  we  have  always  found  in  him  the  faithful 
and  able  Teacher,  and  if  he  must  leave  he  will 
carry  with  him  our  profound  respect  and  sin- 
cere affection.  But  we  earnestly  and  respect- 
fully petition,  that,  if  it  be  at  all  consistent  with 
his  own  interest  and  pleasure,  he  will  consent 
to  remain,  that  we  may  still  enjoy  the  benefit 
of  his  thorough  instructions  and  refined  gentle- 
manly influence." 

From  Marietta,  where  he  had  expected  to 
make  his  life  work  (and  where  as  an  induce- 
ment to  remain.  President  Andrews  tendered 
to  him  the  Chair  of  Moral  Philosoyphy)  he 
responded  to  an  urgent  and  repeated  call  from 
both  Faculty  and  People  to  the  Pastorate  of 
the  First  Congregational  Church  in  Williams- 
town,  Mass.,  where  he  labored  for  seven  years; 
whence  he  went,  in  acceptance  of  a  unanimous 
call  to  the  Pastorate  of  the  First  Congrega- 
tional Church  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  remaining 
until  1872.  While  in  Detroit,  Dr.  Ballard 
e  Chair  of  Moral  Philosophy  in  Marietta  College.  Notwithstanding  the 
r.  Andrews  and  for  the  Institution  over  which  he  so  wisely  presided,  as 
r  to  which  he  had  been  unanimously  appointed,  Dr.  Ballard  felt  con- 
d  the  special  kindness 


-Addison  Ballard, 
Professor  of  Moral  Philosoph} 


id  Rheto 


was  cordially  invited  by  the  Trustees  to  th 

warm  attachment  which  he  had  formed  for  D 

well  as  for  the  congenial  duties   of  the  chai 

strained  to  decline  the  appointment  on  account  of  the  attractiveness  of  his  new  field  of  labor 

of  his  Detroit  parishioners  in  having  just  at  that  time  made  a  large  and  wholly  unexpected  increase  of  his  salary. 

In  1874  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  the  newly  established  chair  of  The  Douglass  Professorship  of  Christian  Greek 

and  Latin  in  Lafayette  College. 

After  about  two  and  one-half  years,  owing  to  the  unexpected  failure  of  the  funds,  this  Professorship  being  aband- 
oned, Dr.  Ballard  was  transferred  by  the  Trustees  to  the  chair  of  Moral  Philosophy,  to  which  at  the  request  of  the 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  339 

President,   was  added  that  of  Rhetoric.     Dr.   Ballard   has  also  given   instruction,  during  these   years,   in    Political 
Economy  and  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  is  Dean  of  the  Senior  Class. 

Some  ten  years  since,  Dr.  Ballard  began  earnest  efforts  to  assist  in  raising  endowment  funds  for  the  College.  In 
this  he  was  from  the  first  kindly  encouraged  by  the  Hon.  John  I.  Blair,  first  by  a  verbal  promise  of  $5,000,  and  later, 
October  1st,  18S0,  by  a  conditional  subscription  of  $10,000,  which,  January  26th,  1881,  Mr.  Blair  increased  uncondi- 
tionally to  the  sum  of  $40,000,  delivering  the  same  to  Dr.  Ballard  on  the  ist  of  March  following. 

On  the  accession  of  Dr.  Knox  to  the  Presidency,  at  Dr.  Ballard's  request,  Mr.  Blair  generously  supplemented  this 
by  the  additional  gift  of  $16,000,  for  the  purchase  of  the  President's  house.  Toward  the  endowment  of  Dr.  March's 
chair,  in  1S81,  and  later.  Dr.  Ballard  has  succeeded  in  raising  $5,960— making  in  all  $61,960. 

During  the  present  year.  Dr.  Ballard  has  received  an  Honorary  Degree  as  Member  of  the  London  Society  of 
Science,  Letters  and  Art. 

EX-PRESIDENTS  OF    LAFAYETTE  COLLEGE. 

John  William  Yeomans,  D.  D.  In  the  spring  of  1841  he  accepted  the  Presidency  of  Lafayette  College,  remain- 
ing until  the  early  part  of  the  year  1845,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Mahoning  Church,  at  Danville,  Pa. 

Daniel  V.  McLean,  D.  D.  He  was  called  to  the  Presidency  of  Lafayette  College  in  1850,  and  remained  till  1857, 
when  he  again  resumed  the  duties  of  pastor,  ministering  to  a  congregation  in  Plainfield,  N.  J.,  and  later  in  Red  Bank,  N.  J. 

Rev.  George  Wilson  McPhail,  D.  D.  In  1854  he  was  called  to  Easton  as  the  first  pastor  of  the  Brainerd  Church. 
In  06lober,  1857,  he  was  elected  President  of  Lafayette  College,  which  place  he  occupied  till  1863,  when  he  resigned, 
and  became  connefted  with  Professor  Saunder's  Seminary,  Philadelphia. 


Names  of  former  members  of  the  Faculty  who  were  not  Alumni  of  Lafayette  College 

Rev.  Solon  Albee,  A.  M.,  Tutor '52-'54  Rev.  A.  Linn,  D.  D.,  Tutor  and  Adjuna  Prof.'54- '57 

Rev.  E.  Thompson  Baird,D.  D.,Prof.ofChem.  '45-'46  Rev.  John  Lloyd,  Tutor '42 

Joseph  Alden,*  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Prof,  of  Moral  C.  F.  McCay,*  LL.  D.,  Prof,  of  Mathematics 

Philosophy '53-'57  and  Astronomy '32-'33 

ArthurLathamBaker,«C.  E.,Prof.  ofC.T.  E.  Rev.  Arthur  Mitchell,  D.  D.,  Tutor '53-'54 

Francis  C.  Blake,  Tutor  and  Adjunft  Prof.of  JamesC.  Moffat,DD.,Prof.ofGreekand  Latin         '41 

Analytical  Chemistry '77-'79  Ed.S.  Motfart, A.M., M.E., Adj.  Prof,  of  Mining         '70 

E.  H.  Barlow,  A.  M.,  Prof,  of  Rhetoric  and  Samuel  McCulloh,  Adjuna  Prof  of  Latin  and 

Elocution '7o-'79  Greek '39-'4o 

P.  A.  Brown,  LL.  D.,  Prof,  of  Geology   .    .    .  '37-'47  Robert  W.  Mahon,  C.  E.,    Ph.   D.,  Adjuna 

Rev.  George  Burrowes,»D.  D.,  Prof,  of  Latin  Prof,  of  Chemistry   and   Metallurgy      .    . '82-'84 

and  Greek '50-'55  Rev.  C.W.  Nassaw,  D.  D.,  Prof  Prest.,'49-'5o.  '4i-'50 

A.  H.  Canghey,  A.M.  Adjuna  Prof,  of  Latin         '75  William   Newbrough,*  E.  M.,  Tutor   .    .    .    . '84-'86 

A.  B.  Clemence,  B.  S.  Asst.  in  Chemistry  .  .  '8i-'82  Rev.  Isaac  G.  Ogden,  Tutor '52 

Rev.  William  Cunningham,  Prof,  of  Ancient  Rev.  H.  S.  Osbern,LL.  D., Prof.of  Metallurgy.  '66-'7o 

Languages '37-'39  Frederick  Prime,  Jr.,  A.  M.  Prof,  of  Mining  .  '7o-'8i 

Thomas  M.  Drown,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Analytical  Rev. Fred. A. Ranch.s  Ph.  D., Prof,  of  German.         '31 

Chemistry  '75  R.  W.  Raymond,  Ph.  D.,  Leaureron  Geology         '70 

Wm.  F.  Durand,  Ph.  D.,  Asst.  Prof  of  C.  E.'83-'85  Rev.  J.  W.  Richards,  D.  D.,  Prof,  of  German.  '47-'5i 

Rev.  J.  R.  Eckard,  D.   D.,  Prof  of  Rhetoric  Rev.  Alfred  Ryors,  D.  D.,  Tutor,  Adj.  Prof.  .  '36-'37 

and  History '58-'7i  Rev.  Alexander  Scott,  A.  M.,  Tutor '56-'57 

Robert  Frazer,-  A.  M.,  Adjuna  Prof.  C.  E  .  '72-'73  Rev.  O.  S.  St.  John,  A.  M.,  Prof,  of  Languages         '46 

Samuel  Galloway, A.M., Prof.of  Mathematics.  '34-'3S  Frederick  Schmidt,*  Prof,  of  German.  .    .    .  '35-'4o 

Rev.  J.  P.  Hecht,  Prof  of  Latin '4o-'45  Theo.  F.  TilIinghast,«C.  E., Prof.of  Civil  Eng.  '7o-'72 

C.  H.Hitchcock,*  Ph.  D.,  Prof,  of  Mineralogy         '70  Joseph  Torrey,*  Jr.,  A. B., Tutor  in  Chemistry.  'S4-'85 

M.  Hale  Jones,*  Prof,  of  Jurisprudence  .    .    . '75-'77  H.  F.  Walling,  C.  E.,  Prof,  of  Civil  Eng  .    .    .'6-j-'jo 

Rev.  D.  X.  Junkin,*  D.D.,Prof.  Belles  Lettres.  '37-'42  W.  F.  Worthington,*  U.  S.  Navy,  Asst.  Prof. 

James  I.  Kuhn,*  Prof,  of  Latin  and  Greek  .  .  '32-'37  Applied  Mechanics '79-'8i 

Rev.  John  Leaman,*  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  David  P.  Yeomans,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Chemistry'4i-'45 

Natural  History '58-'65  *  Indicates  deceased. 

Names  of  former  members  of  the  Faculty  who  were  Alumni  of  Lafayette  College : 

Rev.  Wm.  Henry  Green,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Tutor  David  B.  King,  A.  M.,  Tutor,  Adjuna  Prof. 

and  Adjunct  Prof,  of  Mathematics  ....  '4i-'44  and  Prof,  of  Latin '7i-'86 

David  Moore,  A.  M.,  Adjuna  Prof,  of  Latin  John    G.     Diefenderfer,    C.    E.,   Tutor   and 

and  Greek '37-'39  Adjuna  Prof,  of  Modern  Languages  .    .   . '73-'83 

Hon.  Wm.  S.  Kirkpatrick,  A.  M.,  Dean  of  the  Joseph  Stevens,   D.   D '42-42 

Law  Department '75-'77  Ninian  Bannatyne,  A.  M '43'-43 

Joseph  Junkin,  A.  M '44-'46  Robert  Newton,  M.   D '43-'44 


340 


THE  HISTORY  OF 

Joseph  E.  Nassau,  D.  D '46-'48      John  Meigs,  Ph.  D '72-'75 

James  T.  Doran,  A.  M '48-'48      Jefferson  Snyder '72-'73 

Isidore  Loewenthal,  A.  M '48-'48      Francis  W.  Edgar,  A.  M '73-'74 

VV.  W.  Cottingham,  A.  M '48-'49      Charles  E.  Burns,  A.  M '73-'74 

\Vm.  F.  P.  Noble,  A.   M '49-'5o      Nathaniel  Taylor '73-'74 

W.  W.  Cottingham,  A.  M 'S'-'S^      VVm.  S.  Sweeney,  A.  M '74-'76 

Samuel  R.  Gayley,  AM '55-'55      W.  H.  Schuyler,  Ph.  D •74-'77 

Edsall  Ferrier,  D.  D '57-58     J.  R.  Shimer.M.  E      '75-'77 

Charles  Corss,  A.  M '58-'6o      E.  S.  Barrick,  A.  M '75-'77 

Henry  T.  Lee,  A.  M '6o-'6i      Allen  P.  Berlin,  C.  E 'So 

M.  N.  Appleget,  A.  M '63-64      John  \V.  Nute,  C.  E •82-'84 

Wm.  Grove  Meigs,  A.  M '65-'66     J.  D.  Updegrove,  A.  M '84 

George  T.  Keller,  A.  M '66-'69      Elwood  A.  Schultz,  B.  S '85--88 

Benj.  C.  Youngman,  A.  M '6S-'69      Robins  Fleming,  C.  E 'Ss-'SS 

John  Boyd  Grier,  A.  M 'b<)-'72      Henry  F.  Marx,  A.  B 'S6-'87 

Walter  Q.  Scott,  D.  D '69-'73      George  D.  Gable,  A.  B '87 

David  J.  Waller,  Jr.,  Ph.  D '70-'7i      Wallace  McCamant,  Ph.  B '88 


Arid  Pardee,  philanthopist,  friend  of  education,  was  born  in  Chatham,  New  York,  November  19,  iSio.  Dr. 
Calvin  Pardee,  who  was  a  surgeon  in  the  Continental  army  during  the  Revolution,  was  his  paternal  grandfather. 
Israel  Piatt,  a  captain  in  the  same  army,  was  his  maternal  grandfather.  Mr.  Pardee's  ancestors  on  his  father's  side 
were  French  Huguenots,  who  came  to  this  country  in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century.  Mr.  Pardee's  engi- 
neering work  began  in  1S30,  on  the  Delaware  and  Raritan  Canal  when  he  was  twenty  years  old.  He  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  having  been  diligent  in  study,  prepared  himself  for  teaching.  He  was  for  some  time  engaged 
in  teaching,  and,  in  1S34,  was  placed  at  the  head  of  a  surveying  corps.  In  184S  he  settled  in  Hazleton,  Pennsylvania. 
Being  located  in  the  region  of  the  great  anthracite  field  he  opened  coal  mines  which  proved  very  valuable.  In  1S4S 
he  built  a  gravity  railroad  to  Penn  Haven,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles,  as  an  outlet  for  the  product  of  the  mines. 
But  in  1854  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  was  opened,  which,  with  its  improved  facilities,  caused  the  abandonment  of 
the  old  road  in  i860.  Subsequently  he  became  interested  in  iron  manufacture,  and  in  1888  was  the  owner  of  blast 
furnaces  in  various  localities  in  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  civil  war  in  1S61  he  fitted  out  a  military  company  for  the  national  service  at  his  own  e.xpense,  with  which  his  oldest 
son,  Ario  Pardee,  Jr.,  served  and  attained  the  brevet  rank  of  brigadier-general  on  January  12,  1865.  Mr.  Pardee 
became  interested  in  Lafayette  College  in  1864,  and  through  the  influence  of  Dr.  Cattell,  then  president  of  the  college, 
he  gave  $20,000  for  the  endowment  of  a  professorship.  At  that  time  this  amount  was  the  largest  sum  ever  given  by  one 
person  to  any  educational  institution  in  Pennsylvania.  He  soon  increased  his  gift,  until  in  1S69,  it  amounted  to  §200,- 
000,  and  upon  this  basis  was  first  established  a  new  curriculum  of  scientific  and  technical  studies.  A  new  building 
being  needed,  Mr.  Pardee  for  this  purpose,  made  a  further  gift  of  $250,000,  to  which  he  afterward  added  $50,000  for  its 
scientific  equipment,  thus  making  his  donations  the  princely  amount  of  $500,000.  The  building  shown  on  another  page 
was  erected  and  called  Pardee  Hall  in  his  honor.  It  was  regarded  when  finished  as  the  largest  and  most  complete 
scientific  college  building  in  the  United  States.  This  building  was  formally  dedicated  in  October,  1S73.  It  was  burned 
in  1879,  but  was  rebuilt  with  the  same  external  appearance,  and  of  the  same  size.  Mr.  Pardee  is  a  direiilor  of  several 
railroads,  including  the  Lehigh  Valley  road.  He  is  also  an  attive  ofl^icer  in  various  charitable  organizations.  He  is 
president  of  the  State  Board  that  has  the  oversight  and  control  of  the  second  geological  survey  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  a  presidential  elector  in  1S76,  and  since  1SS2  has  been  president  of  the  trustees  of  Lafayette  College.  Mr.  Pardee 
is  always  seen  at  the  annual  commencement  of  Lafayette,  and  e.\cites  the  deepest  interest  by  his  presence.  He  is  a 
man  of  deeds  and  not  of  words.  He  is  a  man  of  indefatigable  toil,  but  makes  no  speeches.  His  name  will  ever 
shine  among  the  benefaiSors  of  mankind. 

Hon.  John  I.  Blair,  was  born  near  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  river,  on  a  farm  near  Belvidere,  Warren  county, 
New  Jersey,  August  22,  1802.  He  entered  a  store  as  clerk  in  the  village  of  Hope  (a  Moravian  town)  at  the  age  of 
eleven,  and  at  eighteen  years  of  age  started  in  business  as  merchant  at  Gravel  Hill,  which  place  afterwards  was 
named  Blairstown,  after  Mr.  Blair,  and  which  has  for  the  past  seventy  years  been  his  home. 

While  Mr.  Blair  has  been  engaged  from  time  to  time  in  various  avocations,  such  as  merchant,  miller,  cotton  nianu- 
fafturer,  banker,  and  connected  with  iron  and  coal  companies,  it  is  more  particularly  as  an  organizer  and  builder  of 
railroads  that  Mr.  Blair  is  noted.  He  entered  the  railway  service  October,  1S46,  on  the  construction  and  financiering 
of  the  Owego  &  Ithaca  Railroad,  opened  for  business,  December  iS,  1849.  During  1850-1851  he  aided  mainly  to  finan- 
cier and  to  build  Leggett's  (lap  Railroad  from  Scranton  to  Great  Bend,  opened  for  business  October,  1847.  He  raised 
the  means  to  construct  the  Warren  Railroad,  and  lias  been  president  from  its  organization,  March,  1853,  to  the  present 
time.  He  mainly  aided  and  superintended  the  construction  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western  Railroad,  and 
a  director  from  its  commencement  to  the  present  time.     This  road   opened  for  business  May  16,  1856.      He  built  with 


ARIO   PARDEE. 


EASTON,    PENN'A.  341 


his  own  capital  the  Blairstovvn  Railroad,  a  road  eleven  miles  in  length,  conne<5ling  his  home  with  the  Delaware,  Lacka- 
wanna &  Western  Railroad  system  at  Delaware,  between  July  4,  1876  and  July  4,  1877.  He  is  direftor  in  the  following 
railroad  companies :  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  ;  New  York,  Lackawanna  &  Western  ;  Lackawanna  & 
Bloomsburg;  Burlington,  Cedar  Rapids  &  Northern ;  Union  Pacific;  Sioux  City  &  Yanfton  ;  Sioux  Falls  &  Dakota  ; 
Chicago  &  Northwestern  ;  Chicago  &  Pacific ;  Chicago,  Iowa  &  Dakota ;  New  York,  Susquehanna  &  Western  ;  St. 
Louis  &  Hannibal;  Bangor  &  Portland;  Kansas  City  &  Southern;  Cayuga  &  Susquehanna;  Cedar  Rapids  &  Mis- 
souri River  ;  Green  Bay,  Winona  &  St.  Paul  ;  Green  Bay  &  Stevens  Point ;  Warren  ;  Sioux  &  Pacific  ;  Iowa  Falls  & 
Sioux  City  ;  Chicago,  Iowa  &  Nebraska  ;  Fremont,  Elkhorn  &  Missouri  Valley  ;  Maple  River  ;  Sussex  ;  Mount  Hope ; 
and  of  the  Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company ;  Missouri  Valley  Land  &  Town  Lot  Company  ;  Blair  Bridge  Company  ; 
Sioux  City  &  Iowa  Falls  Town  Lot  &  Land  Company ;  and  Fremont  &  Elkhorn  Land  &  Town  Lot  Company. 

Mr.  Blair  is  the  only  surviving  corporate  director  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western  Railroad,  as  he  is  also 
of  many  of  the  other  railroads.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  saving  the  road  by  con- 
structing the  balance  of  the  Cedar  Rapids  &  Missouri  River  Railroad  across  the  State  of  Iowa,  thus  securing  a  direil 
conneftion  with  Chicago ;  without  which  connection  the  road  would  have  proved  a  failure.  He  aided,  with  others,  in 
persuading  President  Lincoln  to  locate  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  at  Omaha.  The  success  of  the  Union  Pacific  is 
greatly  due  to  the  labors  and  enterprise  of  Hon.  Oakes  Ames.  With  Mr.  Blair  Mr.  Ames  risked  his  fame  and  fortune 
to  carry  out  this  great  enterprise,  and  the  memorial  erected  to  him  on  the  highest  point  where  the  road  crosses  the 
Rocky  Mountains  will  remain  an  enduring  monument  to  his  memory  to  the  end  of  time.  Mr.  Blair  delights  to  say 
that  a  more  truly  honest  man  than  Oakes  Ames  never  lived. 

Mr.  Blair  raised  the  means  and  constructed  the  Iowa  Falls  &  Sioux  City  Railroad  across  Iowa  to  Sioux  City  ;  also 
the  Sioux  City  &  Pacific  Railroad  ;  also  the  Cedar  Rapids  &  Missouri  River  Railroad  ;  the  first  road  across  the  State 
of  Iowa,  often  building  fifty  miles  without  seeing  a  house,  and  building  141  miles  once  in  eight  months,  and  raising  a 
million  dollars  worth  of  rails  for  the  Union  Pacific  when  the  road  had  little  credit.  He  located  and  laid  out  on  the  vari- 
ous roads  and  in  various  states  some  eighty  towns,  many  of  which  have  since  become  cities;  the  deeds  of  which  con- 
tained the  clause,  by  which  the  land  was  forfeited  if  spirituous  liquors  were  sold  on  the  premises,  except  for  medicinal 
purposes. 

In  1886,  when  Mr.  Blair  was  84  years  old,  he,  in  company  with  gentlemen  from  New  York,  went  to  Oregon,  and 
searched  diligently  along  the  coast  of  that  State  for  a  good  harbor,  from  which  to  extend  a  railroad  to  the  interior  of 
the  State,  and  thus  connect  large  mining  interests  with  the  sea-board.  And  from  the  coast  he  traveled  more  than  a 
hundred  miles  into  the  interior  to  trace  out  a  bed  for  the  road.  It  is  rare  indeed  that  a  man  of  his  age  can  perform 
deeds  of  this  kind.  He  told  the  author  that  he  had  no  time  to  ride  in  the  daytime.  He  would  take  the  train  at  Belvi- 
dere  at  nine  in  the  evening,  and  be  in  Buffalo  in  the  morning.  He  would  do  what  business  he  had  in  that  city,  and 
take  the  train  at  two  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  be  in  Chicago  in  the  morning.  He  was  a  member  of  the  National  Republican 
Convention  at  Chicago,  in  1888.  He  had  just  completed  a  railroad  from  Kansas  City  to  his  farm  of  300  acres  in  Mis- 
souri, a  distance  of  over  sixty  miles,  paying  every  dollar  of  its  cost  from  his  own  means.  He  had  procured  the 
coaches  with  which  to  equip  the  road,  and  had  them  transported  to  Missouri  and  from  there  he  went  to  the  meeting  of 
the  Convention  ;  at  the  close  of  the  proceedings,  again  returned  to  his  new  railroad  at  Kansas  City,  finished  up  his 
business,  crossed  the  country  to  Buffalo,  and  thence  to  Belvidere,  where  the  writer  saw  him  enter  a  car,  and  engage  at 
once  into  business  with  the  President  of  the  Bangor  Railroad,  whom  he  met  on  the  train  by  arrangement.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  say  that  Mr.  Blair  is  a  thoroughly  temperate  man,  and  now  at  eighty-six,  he  reaps  the  benefits  of  plain, 
temperate  manner  of  living.  He  early  chose  that  plain,  temperate  way  of  life  in  which  there  is  the  least  friftion  to  the 
human  organism,  and  found  in  it,  in  a  practical  sense,  the  germs  of  wisdom  in  whose  right  hand  was  length  of  days,  and 
in  her  left  hand  riches  and  honor.  He  has  made  donations  to  Lafayette  amounting  to  near  seventy-five  thousand 
dollars. 


THE  WASHINGTON   AND   FRANKLIN   LITERARY  SOCIETIES. 

The  Philomathean  Literary  Society  was  founded  early  (about  1830)  in  the  history  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Manual  Labor  Academy  at  Germantowu.  In  1831  some  dissension  arose 
among  the  members,  the  precise  nature  of  which  does  not  appear,  and  a  few  of  them  held 
a  preliminary  meeting,  November  26th,  1831,  the  final  result  of  which  was  the  founding 
of  the  Franklin  Literary  Society.  Afterwards  (1832),  the  name  of  the  former  was  changed 
from  Philomathean  to  Washington  Literary  Society. 

These  "  Halls"  have  continued  in  friendly  and  stimulating  emulation  to  the  present 
time.  The  exercises  of  the  weekly  meetings  are  mainly  the  same  as  at  first,  viz.,  the 
reading  of  original  essays  and  critiques,  declamations,  debates  and  original  orations.  They 
have  occupied  since  1834  the  two  halls  on  the  third  floor  of  South  College,  which  they 


342  THE  HISTORY  OF 

have  elegantly  furnished  for  their  purpose,  Washington  the  west  and  Franklin  the  east  ; 
and  their  respective  libraries  the  adjoining  rooms.  These  halls,  originally  ample  in  size, 
have,  in  the  recent  growth  of  the  College,  become  far  too  small  for  the  comfortable  accom- 
modation of  the  societies,  and  in  1880  they  were  transferred  to  the  large  and  beautiful 
quarters  in  Pardee  Hall,  already  described. 

THE   BRAINERD    MISSIONARY   SOCIETY. 

The  Brainerd  Missionary  Society  was  founded  February,  1833,  and  named  in  honor 
of  Rev.  David  Brainerd,  the  illustrious  missionary  who  made  the  vicinity  of  Easton  one 
of  his  stations.  The  societ}'  was  organized  with  a  view  to  promote  a  missionary  spirit 
among  the  students,  and  its  influence  is  seen  in  the  moral  and  religious  tone  of  the  College 
as  well  as  in  the  number  of  devoted  men  among  the  Alumni  who  have  consecrated  them- 
selves to  the  work  of  foreign  missions.  Until  the  formation  of  the  Christian  Brotherhood, 
the  daily  prayer-meeting  in  Brainerd  Hall  was  held  under  the  auspices  of  this  society, 
and  also  the  system  of  Sabbath  schools  carried  on  by  the  students  as  superintendents  and 
teachers,  and  now  embracing  not  less  than  nine  schools  within  a  radius  of  four  miles  from 
the  College. 

THE   ALUMNI   ASSOCIATION. 

This  Society,  founded  September,  1845,  is  composed  of  graduates  of  the  College,  and 
such  of  their  classmates  (who  left  College  before  graduation,  and  in  good  standing)  as  may 
have  been  ele(5led.  The  objedls  of  the  association  are  to  continue  the  relations  of  friendly 
and  cordial  intimacy  which  e.xist  among  students  of  the  same  institution,  and  to  keep 
alive  their  interest  in  Alma  Mater.  Local  sections  are  formed  from  time  to  time  at  remote 
points  where  a  number  of  alumni  are  gathered.  The  annual  meeting  is  held  on  Tuesday 
preceding  commencement,  when  an  oration  is  delivered,  and  the  business  of  the  society  is 
transacted. 

THE  CHRISTIAN   BROTHERHOOD. 

In  late  years,  and  particularly  at  the  time  of  the  great  revivals  in  1871  and  1873,  large 
additions  have  been  made  to  the  number  of  professing  Christians  in  the  College,  and  there 
has  been  a  felt  need  in  this  growing  Christian  community  for  a  religious  organization 
which  should  in  some  measure  supply  the  place  of  a  church  as  well  as  a  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  The  Christian  Brotherhood  was  organized  in  September,  1874, 
with  this  object  in  view.     The  following  are  the  articles  adopted  at  its  organization  : 

I  •  The  Christian  Brotherhood  of  Lafayette  College  hereby  established  under  the  authority  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  is  composed  of  members  of  the  College  who  are  iu  good  and  regular  standing  in  any  Evangelical 
church,  and  who  signify  their  willingness  to  join  the  organization  b}-  subscribing  to  the  covenant 

2.  The  Brotherhood  has  no  authority  to  administer  the  sacraments,  or  to  exercise  discipline  over  its  mem- 
bers. Its  design  is,  firs/,  to  promote  the  higher  Christian  life  among  its  members  by  a  mutual  watch  and  care, 
by  praying  with  and  for  each  other,  and  by  li\-ing  together  iu  Christian  love  ;  and  seroinily,  to  advance  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  hearts  of  others  in  every  way  that  may  be  indicated  by  God's  Providence. 

3.  The  details  of  the  management  are  left  to  the  President  of  the  Faculty,  and  to  a  Board  of  Counselors, 
consisting  of  three  students  from  each  class,  who  shall  be  ele<fled  by  the  several  classes  the  first  Thursday  even- 
ing of  each  session  after  Divine  service. 

The  daily  prayer-meeting  in  Brainerd  Hall,  together  with  the  various  Sunday-schools 
and  religious  meetings  in  the  vicinity,  which  were  formerly  carried  on  by  the  Missionary 
Societ)-,  now  come  more  directly  under  the  auspices  of  the  Brotherhood. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  343 

THE   NATURAL   HISTORY  SOCIETY. 

The  Natural  History  Society  of  Lafayette  College  was  organized  by  Professor  Porter, 
April  6,  1868.  Its  general  aim  is  to  encourage  and  advance  the  study  of  nature  in  the 
College  ;  its  particular  aim,  to  explore  the  vicinity  (a  distri6l  comprised  in  a  circle  with  a 
radius  of  twenty  miles,  having  Pardee  Hall  as  its  centre),  to  collect  specimens  for  a  mu- 
seum which  shall  present  as  full  an  exhibit  as  possible  of  the  natural  history  of  the  district, 
to  make  maps  for  illustration,  and  to  gather  Indian  relics.  Acquisitions  from  abroad  are 
also  received. 

The  meetings  are  held  on  alternate  Friday  evenings  during  term  time,  at  which  papers 
are  read,  topics  discussed,  ledlures  delivered,  and  donations  for  the  library  or  colle6lions 
received.  Briefreportsof  these  proceedings  are  published  in  The  Lafayette.  Its  library  al- 
ready contains  a  number  of  valuable  scientific  works,  and  its  large  and  rapidly  increasing 
colledlions  are  most  valuable  as  a  further  means  of  instru6lion. 

The  Society  is  constituted  of  active  members  eledled  by  ballot  from  the  professors, 
students  and  residents  in  the  neighborhood  who  have  at  any  former  time  been  connedled 
with  the  College  ;  and  correspondents,  consisting  of  old  members  who  have  removed  to  a 
distance,  and  others  chosen  by  an  honorary  vote.  The  Professor  of  Botany  and  Zoology 
is  President  of  the  Society  ex-officio. 

THE   CHEMICAL  SOCIETY. 

The  Lafayette  Chemical  Society  was  organized  by  Professor  T.  M.  Drown  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1875.  Its  membership  comprises  the  instrudlors  in  the  chemical  department,  and 
the  students  of  the  College  interested  in  the  study  of  chemistry.  Its  objedl  is  to  supple- 
ment the  regular  work  of  College  instru6lion  and  study  in  this  department,  by  encouraging 
and  aiding  students  in  independent  original  research.  The  professor  in  charge  of  the 
laboratories  aids  the  advanced  students  in  condudling  their  investigations,  and  regular 
weekly  meetings  are  held,  at  which  the  results  are  presented  to  the  Society  in  the  form  of 
papers,  and  the  subjedls  connefted  with  them  discussed  by  the  members.  Reports  of  these 
meetings  are  published  in  The  Lafayette.  The  funds  of  the  Society  are  expended  solely 
for  the  purchase  of  books  and  periodicals.  A  valuable  library  of  books  of  reference  is  thus 
rapidly  accumulating. 

THE   SOCIETY  OF   PHYSICS   AND   ENGINEERING. 

This  Society  has  recently  been  organized  by  Profs.  Moore  and  Fox.  Its  obje6l  is  the 
discussion  of  subje(?ts  relating  to  these  departments,  but  which  cannot  be  fully  discussed  in 
the  regular  ledlures  and  recitations  of  the  classes.  As  soon  as  the  enlargement  of  Jenks' 
Hall  is  completed,  the  Society  will  have  a  suitable  hall  for  its  meeting  and  extensive  lab- 
oratories for  original  investigations  in  Physics,  Applied  Mechanics,  etc. 

In  addition  to  these  Societies,  there  exists,  among  the  students,  a  number  of  organi- 
zations ;  some  for  physical  exercise,  as  the  athletic,  base  and  foot-ball  clubs,  others  for  the 
cultivation  of  music,  as  the  glee  and  quartette  clubs,  the  College  orchestra,  and  others  of 
a  mingled  social  and  literary  charadler,  comprising  the  ten  chapters  of  the  Greek  Letter 
Societies  with  affiliated  branches  in  other  colleges. 


THE   FIRE   DEPARTMENT 


N  NO  department  of  the  municipal  government  of  Easton  was  there  more 
interest  taken  than  in  the  Fire  Department.  All  classes  of  citizens  stood 
read\  to  make  any  needed  sacrifice  for  the  hour  of  trial  and  of  danger. 
^'  There  are  many  of  the  older  citizens  who  still  look  back  with  pride  to 
those  heroic  days.  The  following  history  has  been  collated  from  old  files 
of  papers  which  have  been  kindly  lent  the  author.  A  history  might  be 
written  suflSciently  extensive  to  fill  a  considerable  volume,  but  only  a  com- 
prehensive abstract  can  be  given.  But  it  is  pleasing  to  notice  the  gradual 
growth  from  the  simplicity  of  early  times  to  the  elaborate  completeness  of 
the  present  day.  And  the  same  spirit  of  heroic  enterprise  and  personal 
devotion  to  the  public   safety  is  visible   now  as  when  the  "Rowmen" 

hastened  to  the  burning  building  and  arranged  the  lines  to  convey  the  water  from  the  river 

to  the  scene  of  conflagration. 

THE   HUMANE    FIRE   COMPANY    NO.   I. 

The  Humane  Fire  Company  was  organized  in  Easton  in  1797.  The  town  at  that 
time  owned  a  hand  engine,  but  had  no  company.  The  new  organization  applied  to 
the  Burgesses  of  the  Borough,  John  Herster,  Peter  Ihrie  and  John  Ross  for  the  use  of 
the  engine.  The  house  of  Samuel  Moore,  near  the  Delaware  bridge,  had  been  burned, 
and  the  people  thought  it  time  to  adl.  It  is  pleasant  to  read  the  history  of  this  com- 
pany and  compare  it  with  the  present  time.  The  first  fire  after  the  organization  of  the 
company  was  the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Batt  on  North  Fourth  street.  After  this  conflagration 
thev  bought  eighty  feet  of  hose.  This  hose  was  carried  in  a  square  basket  between 
the  arms  of  the  engine  until  it  was  consumed  in  the  great  fire  of  1830-1.  A  most  remark- 
able fact  is  that  the  company  has  not  missed  attending  a  single  fire  occurring  in  the 
Borough  since  its  organization.  The  first  officers  of  the  company  were  :  President,  Abra- 
ham Horn,  Sr. ;  Secretary,  Christian  J.  Hutter ;  Treasurer,  Jacob  Weygaudt.  John  Hers- 
ter was  the  Rowmau,  whose  duty  it  was  to  form  two  rows  of  men  from  the  river  to  the 
scene  of  the  fire ;  one  row  passed  buckets  filled  with  water  to  the  engine,  and  the  other 
passed  the  empty  buckets  to  the  river  again,  and  when  there  were  not  men  enough,  women 
would  take  their  place  in  the  empty  bucket  line  and  do  their  part  valiantly.  On  one  occa- 
sion Miss  Simmons,  a  daughter  of  John  Simmons,  stood  in  the  Lehigh  river  and  dipped 
water  wliile  the  fire  was  raging  and  ice  was  frozen  in  the  river  at  the  time.  Mrs.  Sit- 
greaves,  and  Misses  Erb,  Cooper,  Spering,  Moore,  Hays,  Barnet,  Young,  and  other  ladies 
entered  the  line  and  aided  in  passing  the  buckets  to  and  from  the  engine  at  a  fire,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1819.  Another  officer  was  a  Guardman,  whose  duty  it  was  to  guard  the  goods 
taken  from  a  burning  building.  In  1830-31  the  company  was  remodeled  under  a  new 
constitution,  and  the  motto,  "We  Conquer  to  Save"  adopted.  The  first  engine  house 
tlie  oompany  occupied  stood  between  the  Siegert  residence  and  the  Third  Street  Reformed 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


John  Sciple.    Geo.  Mettler.  Richard  Knauss.         Geo.  Finlcy. 

OFFICERS   OF   THE    HUMANE  FIRE  COMPANY    IN    187O. 

Church  ;  and  the  next  was  on  Church  street,  near  the  church.  The  company  took 
possession  of  the  house  they  last  occupied  in  Centre  Square,  July  4,  1851,  on  which 
occasion  an  oration  was  delivered  by  Hon.  A.  E.  Brown.  Their  apparatus  consisted  of  a 
hydraulic  engine,  which  had  been  used  by  the  Northampton  Fire  Company,  who  pur- 
chased it  in  New  York  in  1832,  a  service  hose  carriage,  built  in  Philadelphia,  in  1846, 
and  a  parade  carriage,  which  cost  $2800,  in  1849.  The  Humane  received  their  first 
steam  engine  July  10,  1867,  built  at  Philadelphia.  This  did  not  suit  them  and  was 
discarded,  and  another  was  obtained  from  Clapp  &  Jones,  Hudson,  New  York,  March  13, 
1870;  this  being  too  heavy  for  hand  use,  was  exchanged  by  the  firm  for  a  much  lighter 
and  handsomer  one,  which  the  company  retained  until  disbandment  of  the  volunteer  sys- 
tem, when  it  was  sold  to  the  city  of  Morristown,  N.  J.  The  officers  of  the  company  at 
the  close  of  their  service  were  :  President,  George  Finley,  who  held  this  position  for 
thirty-five  consecutive  years ;  Vice  President,  John  R.  Beers  ;  Recording  Secretary,  J.  J. 
Smith  ;  Financial  Secretary,  H.  D.  Osterstock ;  Treasurer,  William  E.  Hamman ;  Trus- 
tees, E.  H.  Hamman,  J.  J.  Smith  and  John  J.  Bishop.  They  did  not  disband  when  the 
Paid  Fire  Department  came  into  being  in  1879.  They  meet  regularly  once  a  year  to 
revive  the  sweet  memories  of  "Auld  Lang  Syne."  The  company  will  never  disband, 
except  at  the  .stern  call  of  death. 


346  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Humane  Fire  Com- 
pany, No.  I,  at  the  time  of  the  change  from  the  Volunteer  system  to  the  Paid  Department: 


President — George  Finley. 
I'ice  President— ]ohn  R.  Beers. 
Recording  Secretary — J.  J.  Smith. 
Financial  Secretary— H .  D.  Osterstix 
Treasurer— W'm.  E.  Hamman. 
Trustees— 'E.  H.  Hamman. 
J.  J.  Smith. 


Trustees — J.  J.  Bishop. 

Foreman — J.  J.  Smith. 

Assistant  Foreman — George  H.  Freyberger. 

Engineer — John  J.  Bishop. 

Assistant  Engineer — John  R.  Beers. 

First  Stoker — J,  D.  Reaser. 


>ker 


GEORGE  FINLEY 
Was  born  in  Easton,  March  12th, 
1816.  His  father's  name  was  Sam- 
uel Rush  Finley,  who  was  born  in 
New  Jersey.  Prominent  amongthe 
early  settlers  of  Central  New  Jer- 
sey were  the  Finleys,  who  were 
of  Irish  descent.  Among  the  prom- 
inent men  who  bore  the  name 
were  Dr.  Samuel  Finley,  Presi- 
dent of  Princeton  College,  and  Dr. 
Robert  Finley,  President  of  the 
University  of  Georgia.  The  for- 
mer came  from  Ireland  in  1734, 
the  latter  was  born  in  Princeton, 
New  Jersey,  in  1772.  Mr.  George 
Finley,  of  Easton,  traces  his  an- 
cestry back  to  these  early  fami- 
lies. He  learned  the  shoemaker's 
trade  in  his  youth,  but  did  not 
make  it  a  profession.  He  was  en- 
gaged as  a  barber  for  thirty  years. 
For  the  last  twenty  years  he  has 
been  engaged  in  supplying  the 
public  with  the  daily  papers  of 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and 
also  the  leading  magazines  of  the 
day.  He  was  elected  President  of 
the  Humane  Fire  Company,  Oclo- 
ber  24,  1842,  and  served  till  April 
II,  1853.  He  was  re-elected,  Jan- 
uary 9,  1854,  and  still  retains  the 
office.  He  has  thus  been  presi- 
dent of  this  company  forty-five 
years,  and  served  as  Chief  of  the 
Volunteer  Fire  Department,  being 
the  last  to  have  that  honor.  Mr. 
Finley  was  married  in  1840,  during 
the  unparalleled  e.xcitement  of  the 
Harrison  campaign.  His  wife  is 
still  living.  He  has  had  two  chil- 
dren, both  of  whom  are  dead.  Two 
grand-children  survive. 


E.  M.  Alcott, 
C.  A.  Albright, 
J.  R.  AUabach, 
William  Arndt, 
C.  A.  Bachman, 
J.  W.  Bush, 
E.  A.  Burke, 
J.  T.  Carnev, 
H.  r.  Diehl, 


J.  W.  Garren, 
Valentine  Gabert, 
J.  C.  Hamman, 
P.  H.  Heck, 
T.  W.  Hildebrand, 
.■\.  J.  Knauss, 
I.  S.  Moser, 
Thomas  Merter, 
E.  S.  Nnngesser. 


Theodore  Oliver. 
William  J.  Pohl, 
Robert  Peacock, 
H.  E.  Purdv, 
G.  W.  Reichard, 
Charles  Reaser. 
E.  P.Shuler, 
W.J.  Semple, 
G.  W.  Snvder, 


Thomas  Stoneback, 
E.  A.  Rinker. 
William  H.  Thomas, 
William  H.Warner, 
Wm.  H.  Werkheiser, 
M.  L.  Werkheiser, 
Henry  Weidknecht, 
S.  C.  Weidknecht. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


347 


THE   PHOENIX    FIRE   COMPANY    NO.  2. 

The  Phoenix  Fire  Company  was  organized  January  17,  1824,  being  the  second  fire 
company  formed  in  our  Borough.  The  old  minutes  of  the  company  were  swept  away  by 
a  disastrous  flood  in  1841.  The  account  from  which  we  write  was  prepared  from  the  recol- 
lections of  the  older  members.  The  first  ofl[icers  of  the  company  were  :  President,  Alex- 
ander E.  Brown ;  Secretary,  T.  Ouiutus  Hutter ;  Foreman,  Andrew  H.  Reeder.  There 
were  twenty-eight  members  of  the  company,  exclusive  of  the  oflScers. 

The  first  engine  used  by 
the  company  was  built  by 
Pat.  Lyons,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  George  Luckenbach,  of 
Easton,  built  the  company's 
first  hose  carriage.  On  March 
31,  1828,  a  committee,  com- 
posed of  A.  E.  Brown,  T.  R. 
Sitgreaves,  A.  H.  Reeder, 
Chas.  W.  Mixsell  and  Sam- 
uel Shick,  was  appointed  to 
draft  a  new  constitution  for 
the  company.  The  same 
year  a  new  engine  was  pur- 
chased, built  by  Joel  Bates, 
of  Philadelphia.  In  1835, 
the  company  was  reorgan- 
ized with  Christian  Butz, 
President,  William  Mellick, 
Foreman,  John  J.  Otto,  As- 
sistant Foreman.  At  this 
time  the  company  consisted 
of  forty  members.  March  i, 
1847,  the  list  of  oflScers  was  : 
President,  John  B.  Odenwel- 
der ;  Secretary,  Sam'  1  Shouse ; 
Treasurer,  C.  F.  Siegert,  and 
phcenix  Engine  House.  the  company  numbered  over 

seventy  members.  The  fire- 
men of  that  day  tell  with  a  good  deal  of  interest  the  story  of  a  fire  that  occurred 
on  the  evening  of  July  25,  1850.  When  the  fire  was  first  seen  it  appeared  to  be  at 
Germantown,  on  Northampton  street,  and  the  firemen  began  to  arrange  their  hose  for  that 
locality,  and  one  of  the  companies  a6lually  "  attached  their  hose  to  a  plug  half-way  down 
the  hill,"  and  ran  to  the  further  end  of  Northampton,  and  found  the  fire  as  far  away  as 
when  they  first  started.  They  then  thought  the  fire  was  on  the  Bushkill  in  the  direcftion 
of  Thompson's  distillery.  The  noble  fellows  pressed  on  to  the  next  supposed  scene  of 
disaster.  But  there  was  no  fire  there.  They  began  to  think  it  might  be  a  huge  ignis 
fatuns.     But  it  still  blazed  in  the  darkness  ahead.     After  a  short  consultation  they  con- 


348  THE  HISTORY  OF 

eluded  it  must  be  at  Seip's,  and  away  all  started  again  ;  arriving  at  Seip's,  there  'was  no 
fire,  except  in  the  dim  distance.  The  neighbors  now  told  them  it  was  only  brush  burn- 
ing on  the  blue  mountains.  All  except  the  Phoenix  returned.  Amid  all  discouragements 
the  boys  pressed  on  to  Nazareth  and  found  the  fire  two  miles  beyond  ;  with  redoubled  zeal 
they  pressed  on,  and  arrived  so  as  to  render  valuable  assistance,  which  farmer  Cramer  hand- 
somely acknowledged.  The  fire  occurred  in  a  large  barn  filled  with  the  results  of  har- 
vesting which  had  just  closed.  The  distance  was  nine  miles,  and  was  run  over,  dragging 
their  machine,  in  one  hour  and  forty  minutes.  "A  feat  uuparalleled  in  the  history  of  any 
company  within  the  bounds  of  any  city  or  borough."  They  returned  home  in  the  morn- 
ing, tired,  and  somewhat  wiser  than  when  they  started.  They  made  up  their  minds  to 
use  horse  power  the  next  time  a  fire  occurred  in  the  country.  They  fixed  a  tongue  to 
their  engine  and  gave  notice  to  people  in  the  country,  "that  when  they  needed  assistance  at 
fires,  to  send  a  span  of  horses,  ready  harnessed,  and  they  would  be  on  hand.''''  The  com- 
pany occupied,  for  a  number  of  years,  a  house  which  stood  in  the  rear  of  the  old  County 
House.  This  became  unfit  for  use,  and  a  new  brick  building  was  erecfted  in  1858,  on 
Ferry  street,  below  Sitgreaves.  It  was  built  at  the  expense  of  the  borough,  and  was 
handsomely  frescoed  and  painted  at  the  expense  of  the  company.  The  dedication  of  this 
new  house  was  the  cause  of  a  grand  ball  in  Masonic  Hall,  Odlober  26,  1859,  which  was 
attended  by  all  the  notable  people  of  the  borough.  In  November,  1858,  shortly  after  the 
completion  of  the  house,  the  company  purchased  an  alarm  bell,  it  being  the  first  one  in 
Easton.  The  Phoenix  Company  was  the  first  Easton  company  to  purchase  a  steam  fire 
engine,  and  after  years  of  labor  they  succeeded  in  raising  sufficient  funds  for  that  pur- 
pose. They  seledled  a  powerful  engine  of  the  Amoskeag  make,  and  it  arrived  here  in 
1865,  which  was  an  occasion  of  grand  rejoicing.  A  few  years  later  they  purchased  a 
hose  carriage,  also  of  the  Amoskeag  pattern.  Both  machines  were  drawn  by  horses, 
and  depended  entirely  upon  them  to  draw  their  apparatus  to  fires.  In  order  to  pay 
the  expenses  of  keeping  the  teams  and  driver  they  commenced  the  business  of  carting 
merchandise  and  sprinkling  the  streets,  which  paid  all  the  expenses  and  left  a  balance 
in  the  treasury.  They  purchased  the  property  at  the  corner  of  Sitgreaves  street,  adjoin- 
ing their  engine  hotise,  and  eredled  in  1870,  in  the  rear,  a  brick  dwelling  for  the  use 
of  the  driver.  In  1876  they  tore  down  the  old  frame  which  stood  immediately  in 
front  of  this  dwelling,  and  eredled  a  handsome  three-story  brick  building,  making  it  a 
large  and  commodious  residence.  The  Phoenix  was  an  organization  of  which  the  citizens 
might  well  feel  proud.  Its  members  were  faithful,  acftive  and  vigilant,  and  where  duty 
called  most  loudly,  there  they  were  always  found,  never  shrinking  in  the  hour  of  danger, 
nor  faultering  in  the  moment  of  trust.  As  citizens,  none  were  more  respected  ;  as  fi're- 
men,  none  were  more  honored.  As  the  time  approached  for  the  incoming  of  the  Paid 
Fire  Department,  the  property  of  the  company  was  sold  (the  city  buying  their  engine), 
all  bills  were  paid,  and  the  balance  remaining  in  the  treasury,  was  distributed  among 
the  members  in  good  standing,  each  receiving  over  ^400.  And  the  Phreuix  became  a 
thing  of  the  past. 

The  names  of  the  presidents,  secretaries,  and  treasurers  of  the  company  from  its 
organization  to  the  present  time  were :  Presidents,  Alexander  E.  Brown,  Christian  Butz, 
William  B.  Mellick,  John  B.  Odenwelder,  Charles  Otto,  P.  M.  Mellick,  Charles  H.  Yard, 
George  L.   Fried,  Benjamin  M.  Youells,  and  A.   F.   Heller.     Secretaries,  T.  O.  Hutter, 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


349 


Abraham  Bixler,  Stewart  Miller,  A.  C.  Kessler,  P.  M.  MelHck,  and  G.  W.  Wilhelm. 
Treasurers,  T.  R.  Sitgreaves,  William  A.  Bush,  C.  F.  Siegert,  C.  W.  Kiusej',  John 
Reichard  and  C.  B.  Zulick. 

The  officers  and  members  at  time  of  disbandment  were  as  follows  : 


President— K.  F.  Heller. 
Vice  President — Joseph  S.  Osterstock. 
Secretary— ]ohn  Cummings. 
Treasurer— Z.  B.  Zulick. 
Trustees— V).  VV.  Snyder. 

Robert  Ballantine. 
"  Benjamin  Beatty. 


Foreman— khxsxn  Bacliman, 

Assistant  Foreman— Joseph  Zink. 

Eng'ineer-] ohn  H.  Reichard. 

Assistant  E>i£-ineer— Robert  Arnold. 

Fireman — Charles  Arnold. 

Driver — Benjamin  Beatty. 

Members— 'Ben']Am\rL  M.  Youells,  Solan  Mover. 


THE   WASHINGTON    FIRE   COMPANY,    NO.    3. 

The  next  regularly  organized  company  was  the  Washington  Fire  Company,  No.  3, 
which  was  instituted  January  25,  1840,  and  located  in  a  building  on  Walnut,  above  Sixth 
street.  From  there  they  moved  to  a  frame  building  on  South  Sixth  street,  between  Ferry 
and  Pine  streets.  The  first  officers  were  :  President,  W.  L.  Sebring ;  Secretary,  C.  R. 
Lane  ;  Treasurer,  John  Await.  Their  first  apparatus  was  the  hand  engine  and  hose  which 
the  Columbia,  No.  2,  | ,  abandoned  at  its  dis- 
solution. The  Wash-  >!^^^^  ington  members  did 
service  with  this  ap-    '                  d^^^^^^^^  paratus  until  Sept. 

a  cost  of  $4250,  and    1    ( |  ^^^S^^^H U (t^^^^^^fl-^''""^^''''''^  which  wasconsidered 

alarm  bell  from  the    ,       =^^==i2fe^^===^^^^^^^^Si:^-  FairmountFireCom- 

pany,ofPhiladelphia. "^      ^ They  took  possession 

of  their  brick  house  on  Sixth  street  in  1862,  which  they  occupied  until  their  disbandment. 

Gift  balls  were  very  common  during  volunteer  days,  and  the  company  had  been  very 
fortunate  in  an  enterprise  of  this  kind.  They  offered  a  number  of  prizes,  the  principal 
one  of  which  was  a  house  and  lot.  No.  1050  Washington  street,  and  this  was  drawn  by 
the  company.  This  venture  gave  them  a  bank  account  of  $7000.  They  took  great 
pride  in  everything  connedled  with  their  house,  and  particularly  with  their  reception 
room,  which  was  fitted  up  regardless  of  expense.  The  furniture  was  elegant  in  design 
and  finish,  very  costly,  and  was  made  by  David  Garis,  of  Easton.  A  life-size  portrait 
of  General  Washington  graced  the  walls.  The  members  of  the  company  still  look  with 
pleasure,  mingled  with  sadness,  at  the  happy  hours  spent  in  that  pleasant  and  quiet  retreat. 

They  recall  with  pleasant  emotions  a  banquet  held  in  1876.  All  the  older  members 
were  present,  and  among  them  was  a  Mr.  Dennis,  who  was  eighty  years  old.  He  made 
the  fleeting  hours  pass  pleasantly  along  by  telling  incidents  of  his  early  experience  amid 
the  dangers  and  excitements  of  fierce  battles  with  the  fiery  storm,  narrow  escapes  from 
falling  timbers  and  bursting  flames.  Another  very  pleasant  meeting  is  remembered  when 
they  received  a  delegation  from  the  Fairmount  Company  of  Philadelphia,  who  presented 
the  company  with  the  uniform  and  service  horn  of  David  N.  Lyle,  President  of  the  Fair- 


350  THE  HISTORY  OF 

mount,  and  the  father  of  the  Fire  Department  of  Philadelphia.     Various  other  articles 
were  presented,  among  which  was  a  neat  frame  enclosing  the  following  lines : 

"  When  fire  is  cried  and  danger  nigh, 
God  and  the  firemen  is  the  people's  cry  ; 
When  the  fire  is  out  and  all  things  righted, 
God  is  forgot  and  the  firemen  slighted." 

These  relics  are  still  in  the  possession  of  members  of  the  company.  The  Washington 
had  always  been  one  of  the  best  and  most  adlive  fire  companies  in  Easton,  and  from  the 
central  and  elevated  position  of  their  house,  were  enabled  to  be  among  the  first  at  almost 
every  fire,  no  matter  in  what  direction  or  at  what  distance  it  might  be.  But  the  time  for 
the  change  had  come.  The  Volunteer  Department,  with  its  sweet  memories  and  patriotic 
associations,  was  soon  to  be  a  thing  to  be  remembered.  The  property  of  the  company 
was  sold.  The  city  bought  their  engine,  carriage  and  alarm  bell,  all  of  which  the  new 
department  use,  the  bell  being  used  at  the  Central  Station.  The  debts  were  all  paid,  and 
the  money  remaining  in  the  treasury  was  divided  equally  among  the  members  in  good 
and  regular  standing.  Nelson  Bishop  was  treasurer,  who,  at  the  final  meeting,  paid  over 
to  each  member  $160.89.  Each  of  the  members  made  presents  to  his  fellow  member. 
The  business  of  the  organization  was  done.  The  members  rising,  formed  a  circle,  took 
each  other  by  the  hand,  with  the  president  standing  in  the  centre  ;  the  motion  to  adjourn 
sine  die  was  sadly  passed,  and  the  brave  Washington  Fire  Company  was  no  more.  /// 
memoria  duke.     The  following  composed  the  company  at  time  of  disbandment : 

President— John  Dachrodt.  Trustee— George  Kutz. 

rice  President— Fred.  Troxell.  Poreman—]ames  Long. 

Secretary — Henry  A.  Seibel.  Assistant  Foreman— Richard  Templin. 

Treasurer— Ne\son  Bishop.  Engineer — Nelson  Bishop. 

Trustees— John  Denninger.  Assistant— Cha.r\es  Warner. 

"           Fred.  Tro.xell.  Pireman— Henry  A.  Seibel. 
Members— T>.  Theo.   Lercli,  Charles  Schleicher.  Conrad   Boas,   Peter   Boas,   Jacob   Boas,  Charles   Fo.t,  William 
Templin. 

THE   .SOUTHW.\RK  HOOK    AND    LADDER    COMPANY    NO.     I. 

The  Southwark  Hook  and  Ladder  Compan\-  No.  i  was  instituted  (as  Southwark  Hose 
Company  No.  4)  August  5,  1S56.  They  were  an  independent  company  ;  they  rented  the 
ground  where  Jacob  Walter's  feed  store  now  stands  on  South  Third  street  and  erected 

their  house  among  themselves — many  of 
the  members  being  carpenters  by  trade. 
They  purchased  the  old  carriage  from  the 
Southwark  Company  of  Philadelphia  and 
adopted  their  name.  The  first  ofllicers 
were  :  President,  Thomas  Dawes  ;  Secre- 
tary, William  ( )smun;  Treasurer,  William  Barnet.  Ou  Sept.  12,  1869,  they  made  application 
to  Council  to  be  changed  to  a  truck  company,  which  was  granted,  and  Council  purchased 
for  them  a  hook  and  ladder  truck,  and  built  a  new  brick  house  on  Lehigh  street.  The 
company  had  a  very  large  membership  of  acflive  men,  mostly  railroaders,  and  thev  did 
duty  until  April,  1876,  when  they  disbanded,  owing  to  the  difiiculty  of  seletling  a  chief 
engineer.  The  company  reorganized  again  on  June  13,  1876.  It  was  always  verv  atlive 
and  elTicieiit,  and  had  the  rc])ntation  of  being  one  the  best  organizations  in  the  department. 


E ASTON.    PENN'A. 


351 


At  the  time  of  the  change,  from  the  old  to  the  new  department,  the  city  government  took 
possession  of  the  trnck,  the  company  sold  their  effecfts,  settled  their  bills,  and  divided  the 
balance  in  the  treasury  to  the  members  in  good  standing,  each  of  whom  received  $22.72. 
The  officers  and  members  at  the  close  of  their  service  were  : 


President — Elisha  Johnson. 
Vice  President— Ca\\'m  Horn. 
Treasurer — William  H.  Troxell. 
Recording  Secretary — Albert  H.  Gosner. 
Financial  Secretary— Howard  Naylor. 
-Howard  Barnes. 


Pirst  Assistant  Poreman—Samue]  Vannor 
Second      "  "         John  Bachman. 

Librarian— Char\es  P.  Diehl. 
Trustees— A.  J.  BuUman. 

"  Herman  Santee. 

"  Charles  Genther. 


Albert  Green, 
George  Grube, 
E.  Johnson, 
William  Kelly, 
Fred.  Koch, 
Herman  Santee, 
Honorary  Member — John  Mettler. 


MEMBERS. 
Arthur  Troxell, 
Samuel  Vannorman, 
John  Leidy, 
William  Laros, 
Edward  Miller, 
J.  H.  Mebus, 


Thomas  McCormick, 
Savillian  Otto, 
George  Rice, 
Thomas  Rice, 
William  H.  Troxell. 


THE    KEYSTONE    FIRE   COMPANY    NO.    5. 

The  Keystone  Library  and  Literary  Association  was  organized  June  2,  1856,  and  on 
June  2,  1857,  they  applied  to  Council  to  be  recognized  as  a  fire  company,  to  take  the  house 
of  the  Union  Hose  Company,  corner  of  Third  and  Bushkill  streets,  which  had  disbanded 
after  a  service  of  five  years.  The  apparatus  consisted  of  a  carriage  made  by  Charles  Dud- 
ley, of  this  city,  in  1852,  and  a  hand  engine.  As  soon  as  they  were  accepted  by  Council 
they  had  the  old  hand  engine  repaired  and  neatly  painted,  ^ 
and  gave  a  parade  in  honor  of  the  event.  The  first  offi- 
cers of  the  Keystone  were  :  President,  John  A.  Meeker  ; 
Vice  President,  W.  C.  Ackerman  ;  Secretary,  D.  W.  Phil- 
lippe;  Treasurer,  D.  F.  Davis;  Librarian,  John  Bixler; 
Janitor,  B.  F.  Seip ;  Trustees,  W.  C.  Ackerman,  Henry 
C.  Miller  and  A.  J.  Knauss  ;  Foreman  of  Hose,  C.  J.  Able; 
Assistant,  John  Crawford  ;  Engineer,  H.  C.  Miller  ;  As- 
sistant, Chas.  W.  Meeker.  They  were  among  the  most 
adlive  of  our  firemen,  and  the  first  to  adopt  the  uniform  of  the  New  York  firemen,  of 
red  shirts  and  regulation  hats. 

The  war  of  the  rebellion  casting  its  dark  shadows  over  the  land,  and  calling  for  vol- 
unteers everywhere,  the  company,  in  April  1861,  closed  the  building,  and  hung  these 
words  over  the  doors,  "All  Gone  to  War."  For  nearly  two  years  their  history  is  found  in 
the  war  records  of  the  Rebellion.  July  29,  1861,  the  hose  house  was  draped  in  mourning 
in  memory  of  William  H.  Wilking,  the  first  member  of  the  company,  and  one  of  the  first 
soldiers  of  the  war.  August  11,  1861,  the  engine  house  was  again  draped  in  mourning 
for  A.  W.  Hays,  secretary  of  the  company.  August  13,  1862,  the  members  of  the  com- 
pany volunteered  the  second  time,  except  three,  and  hurried  to  the  front.  When  the 
boys  returned,  September  7,  1863,  they  petitioned  Council  to  have  their  house  repaired, 
which  was  granted.  They  refurnished  it,  and  the  Keystone  felt  at  home  again.  In  1864 
the  company  held  a  fair  and  festival  to  help  raise  funds  for  the  Sanitary  Commission,  and 


352  THE  HISTORY  OF 

sent  more  mone\-  for  tliat  purpose  than  any  two  companies  in  the  states  of  Pennsylvania, 
New  Jersey  or  Delaware,  these  three  states  being  the  ones  that  contributed  to  the  Phila- 
delphia Fair.  March  29,  1865,  their  house  was  again  draped  in  mourning  for  thirty  days 
in  honor  of  William  H.  Weaver,  who  early  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  war.  In  the  same 
year  the  company  petitioned  Council  for  a  new  house,  their  petition  was  granted,  and 
a  house  was  built  on  Bushkill  street.  In  March,  1867,  they  held  a  concert  in  Masonic  Hall, 
the  receipts  of  which  enabled  them  to  furnish  their  reception  room  very  handsomely.  In 
1869  the  companv  decided  to  raise  funds  for  the  purchase  of  a  steam  fire  engine,  and  were 
successful  in  their  efforts,  purchasing  an  engine  the  following  year  from  Cole  Brothers' 
Works,  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  The  whole  number  of  members  had  been  150.  The  num- 
ber of  active  members  on  the  roll  in  1869,  in  good  standing,  was  57.  The  company  was 
at  the  burning  of  Pardee  Hall,  and  did  good  service,  eighteen  members  being  present. 
This  fire  was  the  last  one  of  importance  attended  by  the  company.  There 
were  alarms,  and  a  few  unimportant  fires  occurred,  but  the  hard  work  of 
the  Volunteer  Department  was  virtually  ended  when  the  fire  was  extinguished 
on  College  Hill.  The  company  kept  up  its  discipline,  and  was  always  ready 
for  action  when  the  alarm  should  call  them  to  duty.  In  the  fall  of  1879 
preparations  were  made  to  close  up  the  affairs  of  the  organization  and  dis- 
band, as  the  new  order  of  things  was  to  take  their  place.  The  property  of  the  company 
was  sold.  Their  engine,  which  had  cost  $4500,  was  sold  to  the  borough  of  Washing- 
ton, N.  J.,  for  the  low  sum  of  $1600,  and  a  company  was  formed  there  which  was  called 
the  Keystone,  after  the  Easton  boys.  Their  bills  were  paid,  and  the  balance  of  the 
money  on  hand  was  divided  equally  among  the  members  in  good  standing,  and  the  adlive 
and  gallant  Keystone  passed  into  history.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  and 
members  when  the  company  disbanded  : 

President— Thomas  F.  Siegfried.  Assistant  Fireman— VJ\\\\a.m  Butz. 

Vice  President — William  Trumbore.  Foreman — ^John  J.  Stoneback. 

Secretary— ]ohn  M.  Odenwelder.  Assistant  Foreman— Henry  F.  Arnold. 

Treasurer— ]o\\n].  Bell.  Trustees— George  ?>.  Porter. 
Engineer — Thomas  F.  Siegfried.  "  Thomas  Curran. 

Assistant  Engineer— Henry  S.  Coburn.  "  Henry  S.  Coburn. 

Fireman— UdimeX  Butz.  Librarian— ^'\e\\  Hayden. 

MEMBERS. 

C.  F.  Bealer,  T.  H.  Michler,  George  Smith, 

John  J.  Butz,  G.  M.  Oberly,  George  H.  Lesher, 

John  Bowers,  Charles  Oberly,  John  L.  Wilking, 

James  K.  Dawes,  Charles  M.  Porter,  Charles  Seip, 

H.  Griffith,  George  Steckel,  Isaac  Pixley. 
H.  A.  Hayden, 

THE    LAFAYETTE    FIRE   COMPANV   NO.    6. 

On  January  11,  1872,  a  fire  company  was  organized  in  the  Third  Ward,  known  as  the 
Jackson  Hose,  but  on  April  11,  1872,  the  title  was  changed  to  Lafayette.  The  members 
were  the  best  citizens  of  College  Hill,  and  as  a  company  they  did  valiant  service,  and 
responded  promptly  to  every  call.  In  April,  1879,  they  purchased  a  steam  engine  of  the 
Silsby  pattern.  At  the  burning  of  Pardee  Hall,  in  June  1879,  with  their  engine  they  per- 
formed good  work,  and  it  was  the  onlv  fire  at  which  they  rendered  service  as  an  engine 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


353 


company. 


Their  engine  was  purchased  by  the  city  when  they  disbanded,  and  it  is  known 
The  following  were  the  last  officers  and  members  of  the 


as  No.  3  in  the  new  department 
company : 

President — Enos  Werklieiser. 
Vice  President — William  Briiiker. 
Secretary — Theodore  Scliiig. 
Treasurer— C\i-Ar\^s  A.  Laros. 
Foreman — Joseph  H,  Laros. 
Assistant  Foreman — Charles  King. 
Engineer—Wan  Selan  Walter. 
Assistant  Engineer — Erwin  Walter 


Jeremiah  Dietrich, 
Daniel  Brinker, 
Charles  H.  Uhler, 
Henry  Steinmetz, 
Amandus  Schug, 
William  Slaven, 
William  H.  Fraunfelder, 
Edwin  Sandt, 


Fireman — ^James  P.  Fraunfelder. 
Assistant  Fireman— \x\\\\  F.  Frey. 
Librarian— Q.\m\on  Thomas. 
Janitor— v.  Henry  Schug. 
Trustees — Uriah  Thomas. 

"  Van  Selan  Walter. 

"  Amandus  Steinmetz. 


MEMBERS. 
William  C.  Cattell, 
John  Gradwohl, 
C.  G.  Beitel, 
James  P.  Fraunfelc 
Joel  Bauer, 
John  Delp, 
Quintus  F.  Messin: 


John  C.  Michie, 
John  Schaible, 
Charles  Lerch, 
William  Adams, 
Jeremiah  Keller, 
Lewis  Fraunfelder, 
John  Fraunfelder. 


THE  LIBERTY  FIRE  COMPANY  NO.  7. 
In  Ocftober,  1878,  the  citizens  of  the  Seventh  Ward  held  a  public  meeting  at  the  resi- 
dence of  William  Gerspach,  and  organized  the  Liberty  Fire  Company,  No.  7,  which 
Council  recognized,  and  admitted  into  the  department  December  27,  1878  ;  built  for  them 
a  brick  building,  corner  of  Twelfth  and  Spruce  streets,  and  had  the  old  carriage  of  the 
Humane  repaired  for  their  use.  The  company  was  making  arrangements  for  the  purchase 
of  a  steamer  when  the  Volunteer  Fire  Department  gave  place  to  the  Paid  Department. 
During  their  existence  they  had  no  occasion  to  answer  an  alarm  of  fire.  The  officers  and 
members  were  as  follows  : 


President— k.  J.  Snyder. 
P'ice  President — Thomas  B.  Unangst. 
Recording  Secretary — McIIhaney. 
Financial  Secretary — Depue  M.  Ellet. 
Treasurer— WMxam  F.  Keller. 


Joseph  Berkey, 
Christ.  Gephardt, 
John  Gephardt, 


Foreman  0/  Hose — George  W.  He 
Librarian — William  H.  Sigman. 
Trustees— CUa.x\es  Schwep. 
"  Marion  A.  Pentz. 

Robert  E.  Kuhn. 


MEMBERS. 
Charles  Harman, 
John  Hartman, 
William  H.  Kuhn, 
James  McCauley, 
William  H.  Nagle, 


E.  O.  Smith, 
John  Seiss, 
Forest  Snyder, 
A.  Weisenbacli. 


In  1869  the  management  of  the  Fire  Department  was  so  far  changed  as  to  ele<5l  a 
Chief  Engineer,  who  should  control  the  working  of  the  entire  force.  Captain  Charles 
H.  Yard  was  the  first  Chief  Engineer.  Owing  to  the  difference  of  opinion  between  him 
and  the  appointing  power  he  resigned  at  the  end  of  nine  months,  when  Col.  Charles  Glanz 
was  appointed  to  the  position  of  Chief  Engineer.  James  Ward  was  appointed  the  suc- 
cessor of  Col.  Charles  Glanz  in  1870.  James  Mutchler  succeeded  James  Ward  in  1871,  and 
George  Finley  followed  James  Mutchler  in  1872,  and  was  the  last  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
Volunteer  Fire  Department. 


354  THE  HISTORY  OF 

We  have  thus  given  a  brief  account  of  our  Volunteer  Fire  Department  of  the  last 
eighty  years,  and  we  regret  that  time  and  space  does  not  permit  us  to  go  more  into  detail. 
In  closing  this  sketch  we  cannot  forbear  mentioning  and  bearing  our  humble  testimony  as 
to  their  efficiencv.  They  were  faithful,  reliable  men,  going  where  duty  called  without  a 
murmuring  word. 

"  Farewell,  brave  lads  1  Thus  pass  away 

.\11  landmarks  of  au  earlier  day. 

Phaniix  may  rise  from  ashes  cold, 

But  not  his  namesakes  worn  and  old, 

Nor  Humane  hearts  shall  beat  again, 

When  midnight  bells,  through  snow  and  rain 

Send  forth  their  frantic  peals  for  aid 

While  homes  are  fast  in  ashes  laid. 

The  old  department  swiftly  falls. 

No  Keystone  now  can  prop  its  walls. 

High  on  the  hill,  like  lifeless  stones 

Are  sleeping  now  the  ll'ashingtons ; 

Bold  Soul/iwark's  works  are  empty  now. 

And  silent  there  the  mosses  grow. 

Young  Lafayette  may  home  return. 

And  idly  sit  while  houses  bum  ; 

And,  weeping  'round  him,  sadly  see 

The  youthful  Sons  of  Liberty  ; 

But  still  with  sad  emotions  swell 

Our  hearts  while  bidding  them  '  Farewell.'  " 

THE  EASTON  PAID  FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

The  Volunteer  Fire  Department  having  ceased  to  exist  at  12  o'clock  at  night,  October 
30,  1879,  the  Paid  Fire  Department  began  its  existence  November  i,  1879.  The  wisdom 
of  this  has  long  since  became  apparent.  Shakespeare  says  that  a  "little  fire  is  quickly 
trodden  out,  which,  being  suffered,  rivers  cannot  quench."  The  borotigh  fathers  learned 
this  from  experience  rather  than  Shakespeare  ;  but  at  any  rate  they  learned  it,  and  profited 
by  their  knowledge. 

There  was  a  fear  among  many  of  our  citizens  of  the  inability  of  the  small  force  of 
a  Paid  Department  to  cope  with  serious  fires,  which  was,  however,  soon  overcome  when 
opportunity  was  given  for  the  men  to  show  the  advantage  of  training  and  discipline. 
The  companies  from  1879  to  1882  were  located  as  follows:  Engine  Company  No.  i,  at 
old  Phoenix  engine  hou.se  at  Ferry  and  Sitgreaves  streets ;  Engine  Company  No.  2,  at  the 
old  Washington  engine  house  on  South  Sixth  street ;  and  Hook  and  Ladder  Company 
No.  I,  at  the  old  truck  house  on  Lehigh  street.  In  1882  those  properties  were  sold  by 
acl  of  Council  and  the  commodious  fire  station  on  North  Sixth  street  built,  which  is  now 
occupied  by  tlic  companies  above  named.  Engine  Company  No.  3  occupies  an  excellent 
building  on  New  street,  College  Hill,  and  the  old  Liberty  hose  house  at  Twelfth  and 
.Spruce  streets  is  occupied  by  the  department  as  a  reserve  station. 

The  department  now  consists  of  38  men,  7  horses,  3  engines,  3  hose  carriages,  a  patrol 
wagon  and  a  Hayes  truck.  The  department  has  5000  feet  of  hose  and  71  fire  plugs  to 
which  tliey  may  be  attached.  There  are  also  three  cisterns  in  the  city  from  which  water 
may  be  drawn  for  fire  purposes. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


VIEW   OF   CENTRAL    FIRE   STATION    AND    THE    HAYES   TRUCK. 


The  fire  alarm  signal  boxes  number  24,  and  there  are  6  localities  reached  by  telephone, 
making  in  all  30  points  from  which  alarms  of  fire  can  be  sent  to  the  Central  Fire  Station, 
on  Sixth  street,  and  No.  3  Engine  House  on  College  Hill.  The  alarm  boxes  and  the 
different  fire  stations  are  connedled  by  fourteen  miles  of  wire. 

Of  the  38  men  in  the  fire  department,  7  are  in  service  at  the  Central  Fire  Station  21 
hours  each  day,  the  other  3  hours  being  allowed  them  to  take  their  meals.  The  two 
linemen  of  the  City  Electric  Light  Department  are  members  of  the  Fire  Department,  one 
of  whom  is  required  to  sleep  at  the  Central  Fire  Station  every  night. 

The  College  Hill  Company  consists  of  twelve  call  men,  one  engine,  a  hose  carriage, 
and  1600  feet  of  hose.  Alarms  on  College  Hill  are  answered  also  by  two  companies  from 
the  Central  Fire  Station. 

The  department,  which  is  divided  into  four  companies — three  engine  companies  and 
one  hook  and  ladder  company — is  composed  of  the  following  persons  : 

Chief  Engineer,  J.  J.  Smith  ;  Asst.  Chief  Engineer,  Thos.  P.  Ricker ;  Foremen, 
Elmer  Stonebach,   D.   T.   Eerch  and  Joseph  Laros ;  Engineers,  John  J.    Bishop,  Nelson 


356 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Bishop  and  Van  S.  Walter;  Firemen,  John  Otto,  William  Snyder  and  John  Steinmetz  ; 
Drivers,  Thomas  Jones,  Chauncey  Freeman,  John  Barnet  and  Thomas  Long;  Hosemen, 
Howard  Naylor,  John  Yauch,  Stewart  Purdy,  John  Mayer,  George  Seibert,  Edward  Troxell, 
James  Caflin,  Fred.  Troxell,  George  Freyberger,  Erwin  Frey,  Clinton  Thomas,  Noah 
Dietrich,  Clarence  Miller,  John  Frannfelter,  Joel  Dreisbach,  Charles  Kutzler,  Jeremiah 
Keller,  Charles  Ricker  and  Missouri  Kutzler;  Laddermen,  William  Troxell,  James  Callahan 
and  George  S.  Porter ;  Tillerman,  Edward  Arnold. 

The  accompanying  cut  represents  John  J.  Smith,  Chief  of  the  Department.  "Jack,"  as  he  is  familiarly 
known,  was  boni  in  the  Second  Ward  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
February  22,  1848,  and  is  now  forty  years  old.  He  has  been  a  fireman 
a(5lively  ever  since  his  boyhood.  He  resided  in  Philadelphia  until 
he  was  in  his  twenty-third  year,  and  ser\-ed  for  three  years  previous 
to  the  disbandment  of  the  volunteer  force  in  that  city  with  the 
Marion  Hose  Co.  During  the  same  years  he  served  as  a  private  in 
Company  D,  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  In  1871  he  came  to  Ea.ston 
under  contradl  with  the  late  George  M.  Reeder,  and  Councilman  \V. 
H.  Hulick  and  others,  to  manage  and  captain  the  Easton  Base  Ball 
Club,  which  he  did  successfully  until  1874,  when  the  club  disbanded. 
In  1873  lie  became  a  local  reporter  for  the  Express,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  until  1SS4.  Soon  after  making  Easton  his  home  he  became 
identified  with  the  Fire  Department.  He  was  Secretary  of  the  De- 
partment under  Chief  Mutchler  and  Chief  Finley,  keeping  the  depart- 
ment records  and  arranging  the  annual  reports.  He  joined  the  Humane 
Fire  Company  as  a  private,  and  served  as  trustee,  secretary  and  foreman, 
holding  the  latter  position  when  the  volunteer  force  disbanded  in  1S79. 
He  was  also  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Easton  Grays  and 
served  in  the  ranks  for  seven  years.  He  was  also  prominently  iden- 
tified with  the  old  Orpheus  Glee  Club,  the  Home  Dramatic  Associa- 
tion, and  other  local  societies.  In  1879,  by  an  act  of  Council,  the  fire 
.system  in  Easton  was  changed  from  a  volunteer  force  of  seven  com- 
panies to  a  paid  system  of  three  engines  and  one  hook  and  ladder 
company.  Mr.  Smith  was  choseu  by  Council  as  Chief  Engineer  with 
the  force  for  six  years,  and  the  work  of  organization  was  placed  in 
his  hands.  He  gave  the  matter  his  closest  attention,  and  for  the  first  year  or  two  we  know  it  was  hard,  labo- 
rious work  on  his  part. 

These  38  men  take  the  place  of  the  298  men  in  the  old  Volunteer  Fire  Department. 
Those  not  permanently  employed  at  tlie  Central  Fire  Station,  31  in  number,  are  known 
as  call  men,  and  are  at  work  about  town  and  the  neighborhood  during  the  day.  When  an 
alarm  of  fire  is  given  they  leave  their  employment  or  homes  and  hurry  to  the  fire,  being 
guided  by  the  striking  of  the  alarm  bells.  The  residences  of  most  of  them  are  in  clo.se 
proximity  to  the  company  stations.  In  case  of  an  alarm,  the  Western  Union  Telegraph 
office  sends  notice,  free  of  charge,  to  the  Lehigh  Valley  shops  and  Pascoe's  shop,  at 
South  Easton,  where  a  few  call  men  are  employed. 

To  facilitate  matters,  gongs  attached  to  the  fire  alarm  circuit  have  been  placed  in  the 
houses  of  Nelson  Bishop,  Tenth  and  Lehigh  streets;  William  Troxell,  West  street,  near 
Washington  street ;  at  Police  Headquarters ;  the  residence  of  Chief  Smith  ;  the  mill  of 
Zearfo.ss  &  Steinmetz,  and  in  the  office  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company. 
When  an  alarm  of  fire  is  given  all  these  gongs  strike  simultaneously  with  that  at  the 
Central  Station. 


John  J.  Smitj 
Chief oflhe  Fire  Dep: 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


357 


About  300  keys  to  the  various  fire  alarui  signal  boxes  are  distributed  among  the 
people  of  the  town.  Each  key  is  numbered,  and  this  number  and  the  name  of  the  holder 
of  the  key  is  registered  in  a  book  kept  by  Chief  Smith.  After  an  alarm  has  been  sounded 
the  key  is  fastened  by  a  trap-lock  in  the  box,  and  can  only 
be  released  by  the  master-key,  of  which  there  are  two, 
one  being  held  by  the  chief  and  the  other  by  his  assistant. 
This  precaution  is  intended  to  prevent  false  alarms. 
Once,  however,  the  department  was  imposed  upon.  It 
was  during  the  Presidential  campaign  of  1884.  A  Dem- 
ocratic parade  was  passing  through  the  streets  of  Easton, 
when  suddenly  an  alarm  of  fire  was  sounded  from  Col- 
lege Hill.  The  firemen,  as  they  came  dashing  down  the 
street,  almost  ran  into  the  procession,  and  even  as  it  was, 
the  people  deserted  the  parade  and  followed  the  firemen. 
But  there  was  no  fire  ;  it  was  all  a  big  joke.  Some  one, 
evidently  not  a  friend  to  Cleveland,  had  slipped  a  key 
out  of  a  cigar  store  on  College  Hill  and  given  the  alarm. 
The  perpetrator  of  the  joke  was  never  discovered.  '  The 
fine  for  a  false  alarm,  maliciously  sent,  is  $100. 

The  life  of  the  seven  men  continually  at  the  Central 
Fire  Station  is  not  as  monotonous  as  one  might  suppo.se. 
There  is  considerable  work  in  connedlion  with  the  depart- 
ment that  has  to  be  done.  The  horses  must  be  fed  and  cared  for;  the  house  and  apparatus  must 
be  kept  clean  ;  the  batteries,  wires  and  alarm  boxes  need  careful  attention  ;  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  this,  the  sprinkling  of  the  streets  is  part  of  the  work  of  the  department.  The 
firemen,  however,  lead  pleasant  lives.  The  work  is  divided  among  them,  and  each  does 
his  share.  They  get  up  in  the  morning  at  6  o'clock,  when  the  horses  are  fed  ;  after 
breakfast  the  horses,  harness  and  apparatus  is  cleaned. 
In  the  winter  season,  after  all  the  chores  are  done,  they 
amuse  themselves  in  various  ways.  On  the  second  floor 
there  is  a  large  room  devoted  to  pastimes ;  in  it  is  a 
billiard  table,  several  tables  for  games,  a  library,  and 
easy  chairs.  At  10  o'clock  in  the  evening  all  retire,  each 
in  a  cosy  cot,  arranged  side  by  side,  giving  the  room  the 
appearance  of  a  hospital.  Before  going  to  bed,  each  fire- 
man sets  his  rubber  boots  on  the  floor  in  front  of  his  bed,  ' 
and  pushes  his  pantaloons  down  over  the  boot-tops,  so 
that  he  can  jump  out  of  his  bed  into  his  boots  and  dress 
very  readily.  When  an  alarm  of  fire  is  given,  it  is  sounded 
on  a  large  gong,  and  the  gas  is  turned  up  at  once.  Then 
follows  a  scampering  scene.  The  men  slide  down  to  the 
first  floor  on  the  rails  running  along  the  stairway.     To  ^^^  AUrm  has  Sounded 

do  this  neatly  requires  considerable  pradlice.    An  amateur 

would  be  apt  to  come  down  head  first.    By  the  time  the  men  have  come  downstairs,  the  horses 
are  at  their  places,  ready  to  be  hitched  up,  the  stable  doors  opened  at  the  same  instant  the 


358 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


gong  strikes ;  the  combustibles  in  the  fire-box  of  the  engine  are  set  on  fire  at  the  same 
time  by  means  of  a  gas  jet  always  kept  burning  on  the  floor  under  the  engine.  It  is  a 
remarkable  fadl  that  the  men  may  all  be  asleep,  and  in  less  than  a  minute  after  the  gong 
is  sounded  they  may  be  seen  going  out  of  the  engine  house  with  the  horses  on  a  dead  run 
and  a  roaring  fire  in  the  engine. 

At  the  Central  Fire  Station  each  day  is  divided  into  four  watches  of  six  hours  each 
between  the  carriage  drivers,  tillerman  and  engineer.  Some  one  is  always  on  duty,  just 
as  a  picket  in  the  army.  The  watch  has  complete  charge 
of  the  house.  He  counts  the  alarm  as  it  strikes,  when 
the  chief  is  not  present,  and  tells  the  men  where  to 
go ;  he  answers  all  telephone  calls,  receives  all  visitors, 
maintains  all  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  house, 
sends  out  the  patrol  wagon  when  there  is  a  call  for  it, 
notes  down  all  supplies  received  or  any  work  done  by 
the  department. 

A  patrol  wagon,   used  for  ambulance  and  police  ser- 
vice, is  part  of  the  equipment  of  the  Central  Fire  Sta- 
tion.    Its  service  is  often  called  for,  in  removing  people 
to  their  homes  who  have  become  ill  or  injured  on  the 
^^  ,„.„  .  ,„,vo  streets,  or  at  any  of  the  works  about  the  city.     The 

response  to  the  telephone  calls  for  the  patrol  wagon  is 
made  with  as  much  alacrity  as  a  fire  call,  and  the  hurrying  of  the  wagon  through  the  streets 
answering  a  call  is  a  familiar  sight.  The  wagon  is  equipped  with  a  swinging  stretcher, 
a  box  containing  plasters,  bandages,  scissors,  vascaline,  liniment,  hartshorn,  camphor,  etc. 
The  horses  used  in  the  service  are  large,  strong,  fleet-footed,  intelligent  animals.  It 
is  considerable  trouble  to  train  a  horse  to  leave  his  stall  and  run  to  his  position  under  the 
swinging  harness  upon  receipt  of  an  alarm.  Kindness  and  treating  him  to  sugar  and 
apples  often  aids  in  breaking  a  new  horse  to  the  busi- 
ness. At  first  a  new  horse  is  led  quietly  from  his  stall 
to  the  place  he  is  expeAed  to  run  to  when  broken. 

The  harness  is  adjusted  on  him  and  he  is  allowed 
to  stand  and  become  acquainted  with  the  surroundings. 
This  is  repeated  many  times.  Then  he  is  led  on  the 
trot  to  his  place  under  the  harness,  and  the  gong  tapped 
as  in  an  alarm.  If  he  is  an  apt  horse  he  will,  as  the  5^ 
firemen  say  "tumble  to  the  racket"  before  many  trials, 
and  will  not  have  to  be  led  down  to  his  place,  but  will 
go  down  on  the  run.  Some  horses  have  been  trained 
in  an  hour.  The  big  gray  carriage  horse,  "Frank,"  of  Engine  No.  i,  was  taught  in 
about  three  or  four  trials.  He  has  been  in  two  different  houses  in  the  department,  and  his 
run  changed  to  different  stalls,  but  after  a  couple  of  trials  he  adapts  himself  to  the  new 
order  of  things.  The  attentiveness  and  alacrity  of  the  drivers  and  the  fleetness  of  the 
horses  has  done  much  towards  the  good  record  won  by  the  department  in  quenching  fires 
in  their  incipiency.  If  the  drivers  are  not  at  their  posts  the  department  will  be  late  in 
arriving  at  a  fire. 


less  than  Six  Seconds. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  359 

The  fire  service  of  Easton  has  been  gradually  improved  since  the  organization  of  the 
present  system  in  1879,  and  at  a  cost  felt  but  little  by  the  taxpayers. 

The  fire  telegraph  was  introduced  in  1880,  with  only  six  signal  stations.     There  are 
now  twenty-four  signal  stations.     The  quick  hitching  swinging  harness  was  purchased  in 
,,     1881  ;  the  Central  Fire  Station  was  built  in  1882  ;  the 
^^^\.i.  eledlric  tower  bell  striker  was  introduced  in   1882  ;  the 
permanent  tillerman  was  elefted  in  1883  ;  the  permanent 
chief  in  1885  ;  the  steamer  engineer  in  1887  ;  the  rebuild- 
ing of  No.  I  engine  was  done  in  1887  ;  the  patrol  wagon 
and  extra  horse  were  introduced  in  1887  ;  the  portable 
handfire  extinguishers  in  1887,  and  the  Hayes  truck  in 
1888.     More  improvements  are  promised  by  the  station- 
ing of  an  apparatus  at  the  house  at  Twelfth  and  Spruce 
streets,  in  the  Seventh  Ward,  the  coming  year. 
'^       --  '  '  One  of  the  interesting  features  at  the  Central  Fire 

The  Get-there  Run.  r^.    .  •         •      ,,         i    -i        i    -n      .,  .      ,i  ■  i 

Station  IS  the  daily  anil  at  7.30  in  the  evening,  when 
the  gong  is  sounded  and  the  men  and  horses  rush  to  their  places.  The  drill  is  witnessed 
every  evening  by  visitors,  at  times  large  enough  to  be  called  a  crowd.  It  is  a  custom 
among  many  to  take  friends  visiting  them  to  see  this  drill.  No  one  ever  goes  away  with- 
out speaking  words  of  praise  for  the  efficiency  of  the  service. 

THE  GREAT  PARADE— SEPTEMBER  14,   1887. 

The  people  of  Easton  and  the  thousands  of  visitors  who  lined  the  streets  witnessed 
the  most  imposing  pageant  ever  seen  in  our  city.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  decora- 
tions were  completed  and  everything  was  in  readiness  for  the  reception  of  visiting  firemen 
and  other  guests.  From  every  diredlion,  in  cars,  carriages,  wagons  and  on  foot,  people 
flocked  into  town,  and  by  10  o'clock  the  streets  were  literall)'  packed  with  humanity,  all 
waiting  patiently  for  the  start  of  the  parade.  The  fire  companies  from  a  distance  arrived 
on  time,  some  of  them  marching  to  the  Sixth  street  engine  house,  while  others  took  their 
position  in  line  at  once  after  partaking  of  refreshments.  The  city  never  presented  a  more 
beautiful  appearance,  and  the  handsome  decorations  were  a  surprise  to  all,  especially  the 
visitors. 

Shortly  after  10 o'clock  the  fire  wardens  of  Morristown,  the  old  Volunteer  Fire  Depart- 
ment of  Easton,  and  the  Easton  city  officials  and  Councilmen  formed  on  Northampton 
street,  right  resting  on  Second. 

The  first  division  formed  on  Main  street,  Phillipsburg,  right  resting  on  Union  Square. 
The  second  division  on  North  Front  street,  the  right  resting  on  Northampton  street.  The 
third  division  on  South  Front  and  Ferry  streets,  the  right  resting  at  Front  and  Northampton 
streets.  Some  delay  was  caused  by  the  non-arrival  of  one  of  the  bands  and  a  hook  and 
ladder  truck,  and  it  was  after  11  o'clock  when  the  procession  had  fairly  started.  The 
following  then  was 

THE   ORDER   OF   PARADE. 

Chief  Marshall^oseph  S.  Osterstock.  Assistants — Adam  Shiffer,  J.  Whit  Wood, 
John  Wendling  and  W.  R.  Francisco. 


36o  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Fire  W'ardens  of  IMorristown,  48  men.  Cornet  Band  of  the  Marion  Hose  Company 
of  Mauch  Chunk.  Old  Humane  Fire  Company  of  Easton,  30  men.  Old  hand  engine. 
Citv  Officials,  Seledl  and  Common  Councils  of  Easton  in  carriages. 

FIRST    DIVISION. 

Division  Marshall — George  \V.  Wilhelm.  Assistants — Edward  Kline  and  Thomas 
Carroll. 

Centennial  Fire  Company  of  Phillipsburg,  39  men,  with  Allentown  Cornet  Band  of 
14  pieces.  This  company  had  their  engine  and  hose  carriage.  Jersey  Hose  Company  of 
Phillipsburg,  26  men  and  carriage,  and  Sacred  Hearts  Cadet  Flute  and  Drum  Corps  of  39 
pieces  under  the  leadership  of  Captain  John  Reilly.  Reliance  Fire  Company  of  Phillips- 
burg, 30  men  and  carriage,  and  Easton  Drum  Corps  of  8  pieces. 

SECOND    DIVISION. 

Marshals — Isaac  Smith  and  George  H.  Derr.  Fire  Police  of  Somerville,  six  men, 
under  Chief  Maxwell. 

Washington  Engine  Company  No.  3  of  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  53  men,  with  engine  and 
Nichols'  Band,  numbering  25  pieces,  and  Fire  Commissioners  Drake  and  Terrell  and 
Alderman  Hamman.  Washington  Engine  Company  No.  i  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  44 
men,  with  engine,  New  Brunswick  band  of  20  pieces,  and  25  guests  of  their  city,  includ- 
ing Aldermen  Price,  Atkinson,  Kenny  and  Vandusen  ;  Postmaster  Price,  Recorder  Housell, 
City  Clerk  Cook,  and  Freeholder  Voorhees.  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  of  Bayonne,  N. 
J.,  45  men,  with  truck  ;  Van  Housten  Drum  and  Fife  Corps,  20  pieces,  and  e.x-Council- 
man  Sleaman.  Engine  Company  No.  i,  of  Somerville,  N.  J.,  40  men,  with  engine,  20 
citizens  and  the  Seventh  N.  Y.  Drum  Corps.  Central  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  of 
Somerville,  N.  J.,  36  men,  with  truck.  Lincoln  Post  Drum  and  Fife  Corps,  20  men. 
Relief  Hose  Company,  No.  2,  of  Raritan,  N.  J.,  48  men,  hose  carriage,  and  Crescent  Band 
of  .same  place,  numbering  16  pieces  and  finely  uniformed.  Engine  Company  No.  i  and 
Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  i,  of  Flemington,  N.  J.,  60  men  ;  Board  of  Fire  Commis- 
sioners of  8  men,  and  the  Flemington  Band  of  22  pieces.  Good  Will  Foundry  Boys  of 
Wilson's  foundry,  18  men,  with  drum  and  old  hand  engine.  Delegation  Lambertville 
Fire  Department. 

THIRD    DIVISION. 

Marshall — Edward  West.  Aids — ^John  H.  Rowley,  Edward  Schnrz.  Burgess  and 
Council  of  South  Easton. 

Franklin  Fire  Company  No.  i,  of  South  Easton,  48  men,  hose  carriage,  steamer,  and 
the  old  hand  engine  Pocohontas  ;  Bath  Cornet  Band,  20  men.  A  delegation  of  the  Veteran 
Firemen's  As.sociation  of  New  York  City,  20  men.  J.  P.  Teal,  aged  sevent>--five  years,  the 
oldest  man  in  the  association,  served  56  years  as  a  fireman.  Hudson  Fire  .\ssociation  No. 
I,  of  Bayonne,  70  men,  steamer,  and  Quakertown  band,  20  pieces.  Reliance  Fire  Company 
of  Bethlehem,  33  men,  and  hose  carriage.  Diligence  Hose  Company  No.  2,  of  Bethlehem, 
22  men  and  drum  corps.  Fairview  Fire  Company,  Bethlehem,  24  men  ;  hose  carriage 
decorated  with  ribbons  made  at  the  Bethlehem  Silk  Mill;  Coopersburg  Band,  21  pieces. 
Nisky  Hill  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  24  men  and  truck.  Protetlion  Ho.se  Com  pan  v 
of  South  Bethlehem,  S3  men  ;   Bethlehem  Cornet  Baud,  25  men  ;   ho.se  carriage  beautifuliv 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  361 

decorated,  upon  which  a  boy  and  girl  were  seated,  ringing  bells.  Phoenix  Hose  Company, 
Catasauqua,  53  men  and  hose  carriage  ;  five  carriages  of  citizens,  with  Pioneer  Cornet 
Band,  of  Catasauqua,  24  pieces.  Rescue  Hose  Company  of  Bangor,  28  men,  one  hose 
carriage,  with  Bangor  Band,  12  pieces.  Phoenix  Fire  Company  No.  2,  of  Stroudsburg, 
30  men,  25  citizens,  consisting  of  Councilmen  and  other  officers  of  Stroudsburg,  with 
East  Stroudsburg  Cornet  Band,  15  pieces.  Goodwill  Fire  Company,  No.  i,  of  Belvidere, 
22  men.  Hose  carriage.  Weir  Cornet  Band,  of  Belvidere,  25  pieces.  Carriage  contain- 
ing Mayor  and  Councilmen  of  Belvidere.  Delegation  of  four  from  Allentown  Fire 
Department,  consisting  of  chief  and  three  assistants.  City  Cornet  Band  of  Easton,  20 
pieces.  Easton  Fire  Department — 38  men,  3  hose  carriages,  2  steamers,  i  hook  and  ladder 
truck,  I  patrol  wagon.     Warwick  Truck  of  Warwick,  N.  J. 

The  procession  moved  over  the  following  route  :  Up  Northampton  to  Centre  Square, 
thence  to  South  Third  street,  down  Third  to  Lehigh,  thence  to  Fourth  street,  up  Fourth 
to  Northampton,  thence  to  Centre  Square,  thence  to  North  Third  street,  up  Third  to 
Bushkill,  thence  to  Fourth  street,  thence  to  Northampton,  and  out  Northampton  to 
Fourteenth  and  countermarch  to  Sixth  street,  where  the  apparatus  of  the  visiting  compa- 
nies were  taken  charge  of  by  the  committees  and  placed  at   the  Central  Fire  Station. 

After  depositing  their  apparatus  at  the  Sixth  street  engine  house,  the  parade  came  to 
a  halt  at  1.30  p.  m.  at  the  rink,  where  dinner  was  served  the  firemen  and  the  citizens  they 
brought  with  them.  Twenty-five  tables  with  a  seating  capacity  for  about  1,700  were  put 
up  and  filled  with  meat,  fruits,  celery,  bread,  butter  and  other  eatables.  Between  every 
two  tables  there  was  a  keg  of  beer.  As  fast  as  the  tables  were  filled  the  men  began  to 
eat,  and  by  the  time  the  last  tables  were  occupied  those  who  came  in  first  had  finished 
their  meal  and  went  out  the  back  way  to  make  room  for  the  rest  who  kept  pouring  in  the 
front  entrance  in  a  steady  stream  for  over  an  hour.  It  is  impossible  at  this  time  to  estimate 
accurately  the  number  who  took  dinner,  but  will  probably  not  fall  short  of  3,000.  As  the 
guests  passed  out  at  the  rear  door  they  were  served  with  cigars.  All  seemed  to  enjoy  their 
dinner  heartily.  The  animated  scene,  flecked  with  so  many  different  colored  uniforms, 
was  delightful  to  one  standing  on  the  gallery,  which  was  occupied  mostly  by  ladies. 
Several  bands  took  turns  and  drowned  the  clink  and  clank  of  knives  and  forks  by  music. 

At  the  close  of  the  dinner  order  was  restored  and  Mayor  Chidsey  delivered  an  address 
of  welcome,  speaking  as  follows  : 

Visiting  Firemen  :  We  bid  you  welcome.  The  heart  of  Easton  is  yours  to  day.  With  each  pulsation  it 
beats  a  warm  welcome.  For  we  know  that  in  such  organizations  as  yours  exist  the  noblest  qualities  to  be  found 
in  man.  Your  purpose  means  self-sacrifice  for  others.  Your  motive,  most  praiseworthy  as  it  is,  impels  to 
deeds  that  rival  the  bravest  acfts  of  history.  Show  me  a  true  fireman  and  I  will  show  you  a  true  hero.  Amid 
flame  and  smoke,  and  often  unrecognized  by  human  eye,  the  fireman  has  many  a  time  made  himself  a  hero  of 
the  most  exalted  type.  His  aim  is  to  destroy  the  destroyer,  and  to  save  both  life  and  property  from  his  ruthless 
grasp.  To  accomplish  this  he  is  alert,  quick,  daring,  persistent.  To  accomplish  it  he  turns  away  from  business 
or  pleasure,  and  whenever  or  wherever  summoned,  yields  prompt  and  cheerful  obedience.  We  honor  him  ! 
We  thank  him  !  To  him  our  people  are  ever  ready  to  extend  the  hand  of  friendship,  and  to  say,  "  We  bid  you 
welcome."  i886 — the  last  year  of  Easton  as  a  borough — was  made  memorable  to  our  citizens  by  Grand  Army 
Day.  The  first  year  of  Easton  as  a  city  is  now  made  memorable  by  Firemen's  Day.  The  one  fittingly  celebrated 
the  past — for  war  is  more  than  twenty  years  gone  by.  The  other  fittingly  celebrates  the  present— for  the  foe 
you  fight  may  attack  at  any  moment.  The  fire  fiend  cannot  be  relegated  to  the  past.  He  revels  in  surprises. 
He  lies  in  ambush— wakeful,  ready,  fierce — through  all  time.  As  we  appreciated  the  presence  of  the  veteran 
soldiers  on  last  year's  gala-day,  so  we  appreciate  your  kindly  participation  in  this  year's  celebration.     Both 


362 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Firemen's  Arch.     Erected  at 


ANK  Streets 


September  events  will  long  be  remembered  by  Eastonians,  making  two  interesting  epochs  in  their  local  history. 
It  may  sometimes  be  said,  and  truthfully,  of  the  Mayor  of  even  such  a  modest  little  city  of  ours,  that — 

"  He  can  and  he  can't, 
He  will  and  he  won't. 
He  is  damned  if  he  does, 
And  he  is  damned  if  he  don't." 
But  in  the  joyous  festivities  of  to-day,  let  me  assure  you,  we  have  no  discordant  elements. 
To  my  official  acft  of  extending  to  you  a  formal  welcome — a  pleasant  duty  gladly  undertaken — our  people, 
without  exception,  will  respond  with  one  hearty  and  harmonious — Amen  ! 

We  are  glad  to  see  you.     We  thank  you  for  coming  ;  and  from  the  depths  of  the  soul,  we  bid  you  welcome  ! 

The  visiting  civil  authorities  were  entertained  at  lunch  by  the  Easton  civil  authorities, 
in  Able  Hall,  in  the  afternoon. 


THE    DECORATIONS. 


The  decorations  were  elaborate,  exhibiting  the  best  specimens  of  art  and  exquisite  taste. 
Neither  labor  nor  expense  was  spared  to  have  Easton  appear  in  her  most  beautiful  attire. 
From  the  most  humble  dwelling,  to  the  most  stately  mansions,  all  were  gaily  dressed. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  363 

From  the  Delaware  bridge,  on  Northampton  to  Fourteenth  street,  stores,  offices,  and 
private  dwellings  and  hotels  were  so  beautifully  trimmed  as  to  elicit  the  admiration  of  all. 
All  other  streets  of  the  city  were  so  adorned  as  to  give  the  expression  of  joyous  welcome 
to  our  visiting  firemen.  Where  all  did  so  well,  it  would  be  unjust  to  speak  of  individuals  ; 
and  our  space  would  not  permit  us  to  mention  all  who  spared  neither  time,  labor  nor 
expense  to  arrange  the  decoration  fitting  the  occasion.  There  is  one  special  feature  of  the 
decoration  art  which  will  be  noticed. 

THE   firemen's   arch. 

The  greatest  success  of  the  day  in  the  way  of  decoration  was  the  grand  arch  across 
Northampton  street  at  Bank,  the  contribution  to  the  occasion  by  the  business  men — 
including  the  three  daily  newspapers — between  the  Square  and  Fourth  street.  The  almost 
entire  unanimity  with  which  the  business  men  met  their  request  for  aid — all  with  but  a 
few  exceptions  contributed — cheered  the  committee  who  had  the  matter  in  charge  and 
the  result  was  most  gratifying.  We  have  attended  many  celebrations,  civil  and  military, 
in  various  cities,  but  never  have  we  seen  an  arch  more  appropriate  in  design  nor  more 
faultless  in  erecftion.  All  our  citizens  owe  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  committee  for  their 
efforts  to  make  the  arch  an  honor  to  Easton. 

The  arch  spans  the  entire  street  from  curb  to  curb.  Two  square  piers,  gray  stone, 
ten  feet  square  and  eighteen  feet  high,  on  either  side  support  a  hook  and  ladder  truck 
fifty  feet  long,  the  wheels  resting  on  the  piers,  and  the  truck  spanning  the  street.  On 
each  side  of  each  pier  in  a  niche  for  the  purpose  is  a  fire  plug  with  a  sedlion  of  hose 
attached.  The  piers  are  appropriately  decorated  with  banners,  shields,  etc.  On  the  body 
of  the  truck,  on  both  sides,  is  the  legend  in  large  letters,  "Welcome — 1797 — Firemen," 
the  date,  1797,  being  that  of  the  organization  of  the  first  fire  company  in  this  place. 
The  truck  has  four  ladders,  and  underneath  hang  fire  buckets  marked  "  E.  F.  D.,"  axes, 
etc.,  the  truck  being  fully  and  completely  rigged.  Over  the  centre  of  the  truck  is  a 
United  States  shield,  with  a  group  of  United  States  flags.  The  truck  is  supported  with 
two  eledlric  gongs,  one  a  vibrator  and  the  other  a  tapper,  which  was  sounded  all  day  long. 
On  the  truck,  on  the  seats  of  the  driver  and  tillerman  sat  two  firemen  in  the  full  uniform 
of  the  old  Volunteer  Fire  Department.  We  might  add  though,  as  it  is  a  firemen's  parade, 
that  the  truck  is  painted  the  true  fireman's  color — red.  The  whole  efiedrt,  with  its  per- 
fedl  elaboration  of  details  was  most  satisfactory  and  gratifying  and  won  on  all  sides  strong 
expressions  of  praise.  The  arch  was  built  by  Simon  P.  Bachman,  under  the  dire<?tion  of 
Heller,  the  signist ;  the  ele<?tric  bells  being  furnished  by  Knight,  the  eledlrician.  So  per- 
fecfl  was  the  effect  that  the  builder  of  the  arch  was  negotiated  with  by  a  committee  from 
Allentown  with  a  view  to  its  transfer  to  that  city  for  its  firemen's  celebration  the  next  week. 

INCIDENTS   CONNECTED  WITH   THE   PARADE. 

Chief  Engineer  Smith  was  presented  with  a  purse  by  the  business  men  of  Easton, 
as  a  testimony  of  their  appreciation  of  his  valuable  and  faithful  labors. 

The  old  Humane  Company  gave  a  ball  at  Masonic  Hall,  which  was  largely  attended 
by  the  Easton  people  and  visiting  firemen.     Barnet's  orchestra  furnished  the  music. 

In  the  afternoon  the  Fairview  Hose  Company  of  Bethlehem  gave  an  exhibition 
drill  at  the  Fair  Grounds,  and  were  awarded  by  the  Directors  of  the  Fair  a  silver  trumpet. 


364  THE  HISTORY  OF 

valued  at  $70.  The  drill  consisted  of  military'  movements  and  was  highly  creditable  to 
the  company.  When  the  firemen  called  at  Abie's  carpet  store  last  evening  to  get  the 
trumpet,  where  it  was  exhibited  in  a  window,  the  Coopersburg  Band,  which  accompanied 
them,  gave  Mr.  Able  a  serenade. 

Among  the  visiting  fire  companies  whose  appearance  occasioned  special  comment  was 
the  New  Brunswick  Company,  who  came  here  in  excellent  trim  and  brand  new  uniforms. 

During  the  dinner  at  the  rink.  Chief  Engineer  Willig,  of  the  Hoboken  Fire  Depart- 
ment, presented  to  the  Easton  Fire  Department  a  sloop  rigged  yacht  about  three  feet 
long,  which  he  made  himself.  The  yacht  is  an  unique  piece  of  mechanism  and  was  on 
exhibition  in  Freeman's  window. 

Two  fire  companies,  with  their  bands,  the  Washington  of  Elizabeth  and  the  Passaic 
of  Paterson,  remained  over  night  as  guests  of  the  Easton  Fire  Department.  At  9  o'clock 
the  next  morning  Chief  Smith  and  a  delegation  of  his  men  escorted  the  visitors  to  the  college 
grounds.  President  Knox,  of  Lafayette,  met  them  at  the  entrance  of  Pardee  Hall,  where 
he  made  an  address  of  welcome  and  complimented  the  Easton  firemen  for  the  efficient 
services  they  had  twice  rendered  Pardee  Hall.  After  a  happy  response  by  Alderman  Pol- 
litt,  of  Paterson,  Dr.  Knox  escorted  the  visitors  through  the  buildings  and  grounds.  The 
party,  headed  by  their  music,  then  returned  to  the  Sixth  street  engine  house,  where 
refreshments  were  served.  Later  in  the  forenoon,  in  the  presence  of  the  visitors  and 
numerous  other  strangers.  Chief  Smith  gave  an  exhibition  drill  with  his  men  and  horses. 
The  two  companies  attended  the  fair  in  the  afternoon  and  left  for  home  at  6  o'clock. 

The  Hoboken  company  made  an  elegant  turnout  with  their  eighty-nine  men  and  the 
Sixty-ninth  Regiment  Band  of  New  York  City. 

No  feature  of  the  parade  was  more  interesting  than  the  delegation  of  twenty  men 
from  the  Veteran  Firemen's  Association  of  New  York  City,  all  of  whom  have  grown  old 
in  the  service. 

Central  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  of  Somerville,  N.  J.,  presented  a  fine  appearance, 
and  their  marching  was  complimented  all  along  the  route.  They  were  accompanied  by 
Lincoln  Post  Fife  and  Drum  Corps  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  one  of  best  organizations  in  the  State. 

There  were  in  line  eight  drum  corps,  twenty-two  bands,  and  not  far  from  2,300  men, 
as  shown  by  the  reports  of  the  companies.  Three  companies  and  two  delegations  had 
no  music. 

C.  P.  Diehl,  the  barber  on  South  Third  street,  presented  a  silver-plated  helmet  to  the 
Phoenix  Fire  Company  of  Stroudsburg,  which  was  a  merited  compliment,  as  the  men  did 
fine  marching,  and  with  their  brand  new  suits  and  black  helmet  hats  covered  with  yellow 
chains  and  trappings,  made  an  appearance  second  to  none  in  the  parade.  The  boys  were 
accompanied  by  a  number  of  prominent  citizens,  among  them  Judge  Brodhead  and 
ex-Sheriff"  March,  Joseph  Bowers  and  Robert  Gruver. 

The  Easton  firemen  were  surprised  by  a  visit  from  a  part)-  who  came  to  present  them 
on  behalf  of  a  number  of  unknown  Easton  ladies  with  a  handsome  silk  banner.  The 
presentation  speech  was  made  by  Councilman  Brunner. 

WELCOME   TO  THE   NEW  TRUCK. 
The  new  Hayes  extension  ladder  truck,  built  for  the  Easton  Fire  Department  by  the 
La  France  Fire  Engine  Company  of  Elmira,  New  York,  arrived  here  Thursday,  July  19, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  365 

1888.  The  firemen  showed  their  appreciation  of  so  valuable  an  addition  to  their  appa- 
ratus by  turning  out  and  giving  the  truck  a  royal  welcome. 

At  7  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  firemen,  headed  by  the  City  Cornet  Band  of  Easton, 
and  the  Junior  Drum  Corps  of  Phillipsburg,  and  followed  by  all  the  apparatus  of  the 
department,  started  from  the  Central  Fire  Station  on  their  way  to  fetch  the  Hayes  truck 
home.  The  procession  moved  down  Northampton  street  to  the  Square,  and  thence  down 
Third  street  to  Washington  street,  where  the  truck  was  in  waiting,  it  having  been  pre- 
viously unloaded  at  the  lychigh  Valley  depot  and  brought  across  the  bridge.  The  truck 
was  drawn  by  four  gray  horses  and  was  decorated  with  bouquets  of  flowers.  The  engines 
and  hose  carriages  were  also  adorned  with  flowers. 

After  the  parade  had  countermarched  at  Third  and  Washington  streets,  the  truck  was 
given  the  place  of  honor,  and  the  line  returned  up  the  street  to  the  Square.  The  side- 
walks were  full  of  people  who  were  all  delighted  with  the  fine  display.  In  the  Square  a 
halt  was  made,  when  the  firemen  and  apparatus,  notably  the  truck,  were  inspedled  by  the 
Fire  Committee  of  Councils.  A  great,  surging  mass  of  people,  had  by  this  time  gathered 
in  the  Square. 

At  the  instance  of  the  Fire  Committee  Mayor  Chidsey  made  a  congratulatory  speech 
to  the  firemen  and  the  citizens.  Among  other  good  things,  he  told  the  firemen  he  was 
glad  that  they  succeeded  in  getting  their  truck  here  without  being  annoyed  by  an  injunc- 
tion. The  audience  appreciated  the  witty  reference  to  the  unpleasantness  between  the 
Third  street  people  and  the  Lafayette  Tra<5lion  Company,  and  applauded  vociferously. 

From  the  Square  the  parade  returned  to  the  Central  Fire  Station,  followed  by  many 
people,  who  lingered  long  examining  the  truck.  Later  in  the  evening  a  cold  collation 
was  served  by  the  department  to  the  mayor,  city  officials,  councilmen,  the  band  and  drum 
corps,  and  invited  guests,  among  whom  were  many  firemen  from  South  Easton  and  Phil- 
lipsburg. The  feast  was  spread  in  the  shed  and  yard  in  the  rear  of  the  engine  house,  all 
being  pleasantly  illuminated  with  Chinese  lanterns.  This  was  one  of  the  happy  events 
of  the  evening.  The  committee  who  got  up  the  lunch  comprised  Firemen  Elmer  Stone- 
bach,  John  Yauch,  James  Caflin,  Oliver  Fraunfelter,  Joel  Laros,  Irwin  Frey,  James  Calla- 
han and  George  Porter. 

THE    HAYES   TRUCK. 

The  truck  is  quite  a  ponderous  and  attra<5live  apparatus.  The  timber  of  which  the 
ladders  and  frames  are  built  comes  from  the  Pacific  coast  and  is  known  as  "Oregon  pine." 
The  timber  is  light  and  strong,  elastic  as  whalebone  and  contains  no  pitch.  The  iron 
work  is  heavy,  and  much  of  it  is  nickel  plated.  The  wheels,  which  are  very  heavy,  are 
painted  in  maroon,  ornamented  with  gold.  The  body  of  the  truck  is  painted  in  China 
white  with  gold  striping  and  scroll  work.  The  ladders  are  in  natural  wood,  oiled  and 
striped.  The  truck  is  supplied  with  an  extension  ladder,  which  when  raised  is  at  the 
highest  point  65  feet  from  the  ground.  The  first  raise  of  the  ladder,  known  as  the  serial 
ladder,  is  40  feet  high  ;  it  will  sustain  the  weight  of  several  men  at  the  top  when  raised 
to  a  perpendicular.  Among  the  other  appliances  belonging  to  the  truck  are  eight  other 
ladders,  respe<5lively  28,  26,  24,  20,  18,  16,  14  and  12  feet  in  length,  pike  poles,  crotch 
poles,  axes,  crowbars,  picks,  patent  door  openers.  New  York  hose  hoist,  fire  extinguishers, 
leather  buckets,  lanterns,  signal  lamps,  pitch  forks,  shovels,  brooms,  tool  boxes  and  the 
like.     The  cost  of  the  truck  is  $2,775.     Its  weight  is  6000  pounds. 


MUNICIPAL  GOVERNMENT. 


ASTON  was  originally  a  part  of  Forks  township.  On  September  23,  1789, 
an  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed  erecting  the  Borough.  The  first  sedlion 
relates  to  its  advantageous  situation  at  the  conflux  of  the  Delaware  and 
Lehigh  rivers ;  of  the  great  improvements  and  increase  in  the  number  of 
buildings  and  inhabitants,  and  that  the  courts  of  the  county  are  held  in 
the  town,  as  reasons  for  incorporation. 

Sedlion  second  enacfls  that  the  said  town  shall  be  eredled  into  a  Bor- 
ough, to  be  called  "The  Borough  of  Easton"  forever,  with  the  following 
boundaries :  Beginning  at  the  black  oak  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river 
Delaware,  being  a  corner  of  land  of  Andrew  Kroup,  running  thence  west 
five  hundred  and  sixty-three  perches  to  a  post  in  the  line  of  George  Mes- 
singer's  land  ;  thence  by  the  line  of  land  late  of  Barnet  Walter  and  others,  south  four 
hundred  and  fifty-three  perches  to  a  birch  on  the  northwest  bank  of  the  Lehigh  river ; 
and  thence  down  the  same  river  by  the  several  courses  thereof ;  and  thence  up  the  river 
Delaware  by  the  several  courses  thereof,  crossing  the  mouth  of  the  Bushkill  creek  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Se<5lion  third  named  the  officers  of  the  incorporation  :  Peter  Kachlein,  Henry  Barnet, 
Jacob  Weygand,  William  Raup,  and  John  Protsman,  to  be  Burgesses ;  Peter  Kachlein, 
to  be  Chief  Burgess ;  Frederick  Barthold,  High  Constable,  and  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  Town 
Clerk,  to  continue  in  office  until  the  first  Monday  of  May,  1790,  and  until  others  shall  be 
eledled  in  their  place. 

Se<flion  fourth  enacted  that  the  said  Burgesses,  freeholders,  and  inhabitants  within 
the  Borough  aforesaid,  and  their  successors  forever  thereafter,  shall  be  one  body  corporate 
and  politic,  by  the  name  of  "The  Burgesses  and  inhabitants  of  the  Borough  of  Easton, 
in  the  County  of  Northampton,"  and  by  this  name  shall  have  a  perpetual  succession  ;  to 
buy  and  sell,  sue  and  be  sued,  defend  and  be  defended,  in  any  of  the  courts  of  the 
Commonwealth. 

Sedlion  fifth  prescribed  the  right  of  suffrage  and  manner  of  holding  eledlions  for  officers. 
Se(5lion  sixth  defined  the  duties  of  the  officers. 

Secflion  eighth  provided  for  a  market  at  the  "Great  Square,"  on  Wednesday  and  Sat- 
urday of  every  week  in  the  year  forever.  Two  fairs  were  also  established,  one  on  the 
fourth  Tuesday  in  April,  and  the  other  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  Ocflober  of  each  year  to 
continue  two  days.  There  was  a  clerk  of  the  market  who  had  "the  assize  of  the  bread, 
wine,  beer,  wood  and  hay,  and  all  other  provisions  brought  for  the  use  of  the  inhabi- 
tants." These  fairs  were  features  of  the  social  life  of  fatherland,  and  the  great  events  of 
the  year  at  the  "Forks." 

The  above  extra(fts  give  the  principle  features  of  the  a<5l  of  incorporation  by  which 
Easton  became  a  borough.  There  were  important  amendments  to  the  original  aA,  some 
of  which  we  will  notice. 

An  amending  acT;  was  passed  March   19,  1828.     The  original  a&.  provided  for  five 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  367 

Burgesses  to  be  elected  by  the  people,  the  one  having  the  largest  number  of  votes  to  be 
the  Chief,  and  if  neither  had  the  majority  it  was  to  be  decided  by  lot.  In  the  a6l  of  1828 
the  five  Burgesses  gave  place  to  a  Tovk^n  Council  of  nine  persons  eledled  by  the  people, 
and  the  Council  elecfled  a  citizen  for  Chief  Burgess  for  one  year.  In  1850  an  &.&.  was 
passed  authorizing  the  Borough  to  borrow  money,  limiting  the  amount  to  $30,000.  The 
adl  of  March  8,  1854,  ordained  that  "All  that  part  of  Easton  west  of  the  middle  of  Juliana 
street  and  south  of  the  Bushkill  creek,  be  eredled  into  a  separate  ward,  which  shall  be 
called  Westward."  It  wasdire6led  March  8,  1856,  that  each  ward  should  elecft  three  mem- 
bers of  Town  Council,  dividing  themselves  by  lot  into  three  classes,  who  should  serve  one, 
two  and  three  years,  respe(5lively,  and  who  should  elecft  a  citizen  for  Chief  Burgess  for  one 
year  at  a  salary  of  one  hundred  dollars. 

Sedlion  third  provided  that  each  ward  should  elecft  three  School  Direcftors,  who 
should  divide  themselves  by  lot  into  three  classes  in  each  ward,  to  serve  one,  two,  and 
three  years,  respedlively,  and  one  should  be  eledled  annually  thereafter  ;  the  said  Bor- 
ough to  compose  one  School  Distridl,  with  liberty  to  appoint  a  Borough  Superintendent 
of  schools  at  a  salary  of  five  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  who  shall  report  to  the  County 
Superintendent  annually.  This  is  the  beginning  of  the  School  Board  of  Easton,  which 
has  since  framed  a  school  system  of  unsurpassed  excellence.  A  supplementary  a<5t  passed 
May  14,  1 861,  empowered  the  Town  Council  and  School  Directors  in  joint  session  to 
appoint  a  Borough  Treasurer  and  Colle(?tor.  An  adt  passed  March  22,  1866,  declared, 
that  Easton  shall  continue  to  form  one  Common  School  Distri(?t  for  all  purposes  of  educa- 
tion, this  distri(5t  to  be  known  as  the  "School  District  of  the  Borough  of  Easton  ;"  and 
that  the  School  Directors  should  constitute  a  Board  of  Control,  as  a  body  corporate  and 
politic,  with  all  the  authority  conferred  on  the  School  Directors  of  the  First  School  Dis- 
trict, in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  as  far  as  the  same  can  be  applied  to  the  School  Distridt 
of  the  Borough  of  Easton.  Section  third  provided  that  hereafter  the  School  Distri(5t 
should  not  be  subject  to  the  authority  of  the  County  Superintendent. 

Sedtion  sixth  authorized  the  Board  of  Control  to  maintain  a  Central  High  School  for 
the  full  education  of  such  pupils  as  possess  the  requisite  qualifications,  on  the  same  gen- 
eral principles  as  govern  the  First  Distridt  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

Sedtion  seventh  placed  the  library  under  the  care  of  the  Board  of  Control. 

The  adt  of  April  2,  1869,  authorized  the  Borough  to  borrow  money  for  projedted 
improvements,  the  amount  not  to  exceed  $50,000,  and  another  adt  passed  April  6,  1870, 
repealed  the  adt  of  1869,  and  authorized  the  Borough  to  borrow  $100,000  for  specified  pur- 
poses. The  act  of  February  23,  1871,  authorized  the  Board  of  Control  to  borrow  $100,000 
for  the  purchase  of  ground  and  school  buildings.  An  adt  was  passed  March  27,  1873, 
dividing  the  Borough  into  seven  wards  as  follows : 

First  Ward. — All  that  portion  of  said  Borough  lying  south  of  the  middle  of  North- 
amption  street,  between  the  Delaware  river  and  Fourth  street,  and  east  of  the  middle  of 
Fourth  street  from  Northampton  street  to  the  Lehigh  river. 

Second  Ward. — All  that  portion  of  said  Borough  lying  north  of  the  middle  of  North- 
ampton street,  between  the  Delaware  river  and  Third  street,  east  of  the  middle  of  Third 
street,  and  south  of  the  Bushkill  creek. 

Third  Ward. — All  that  portion  of  the  said  Borough  lying  northeast  of  the  Bushkill  creek. 


368  THE  HISTORY  OF 

This  ward  has  since  been  somewhat  enlarged  by  adding  a  portion  of  Forks  township. 

Fourth  Ward. — All  that  portion  lying  north  of  Northampton  street  from  Third  street 
to  Sixth  street,  west  of  the  middle  of  Third  street,  east  of  the  middle  of  Sixth  street,  and 
south  of  the  Bushkill  creek. 

Fifth  Ward. — All  that  portion  lying  south  of  the  middle  of  Northampton  street, 
between  Fourth  street  and  Sixth  street,  west  of  the  middle  of  Fourth  street,  and  east  of 
the  middle  of  Sixth  street. 

Sixth  Ward. — All  that  portion  lying  west  of  the  middle  of  Sixth  street,  and  east  of 
the  middle  of  Ninth  street,  and  extending  from  the  Bushkill  creek  to  the  Lehigh  river. 

Seventh  Ward. — All  that  portion  lying  west  of  the  middle  of  Ninth  street,  and 
extending  from  Ninth  street  to  the  western  limits  of  the  Borough,  and  from  the  Bushkill 
creek  to  the  Lehigh  river. 

Section  second  of  this  acT;  empowers  the  several  wards  to  eledl  three  members  of 
Town  Council  and  three  members  of  the  School  Board  each,  thus  giving  twenty-one 
members  to  each  body. 

An  atl  was  passed  March  6th,  1873,  authorizing  the  Borough  to  borrow  $25,000  in  addi- 
tion to  the  amount  the  Borough  had  been  authorized  to  borrow.  The  aCl  of  April  10,  1873, 
authorized  the  Borough  to  borrow  two  thousand  dollars  in  addition  to  the  sums  already 
borrowed. 

The  a(?t  of  April  20,  1874,  passed  to  regulate  the  manner  of  increasing  the  indebted- 
ness of  municipalities,  provided  that  whenever  the  debt  of  any  county,  city  or  borough, 
etc.,  shall  be  equal  to  seven  per  centum  upon  the  assessed  value  of  the  taxable  property, 
as  fixed  by  the  last  preceding  assessed  valuation  therein,  all  such  increase  shall  be  void 
and  of  no  binding  force. 

After  the  Borough  had  existed  nearly  one  hundred  years  a  change  into  a  city  govern- 
ment was  desired. 

At  a  meeting  of  Town  Council,  August  27,  1886,  a  resolution,  offered  by  Messrs. 
Odenwelder  and  Magee,  submitting  the  question  of  a  City  Charter  to  the  vote  of  the 
people,  was  carried  unanimously. 

At  the  general  eledlion,  held  November  2,  1886,  the  majority  of  the  votes  cast,  on 
the  question  submitted  for  decision,  was  in  favor  of  a  City  Charter  ;  and  in  accordance 
with  this  vote  the  City  of  Easton  was  incorporated  January  12,  1887,  by  letters  patent 
issued  by  Robert  E.  Pattison,  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania.  On  February  15,  1887,  the 
first  election  under  the  new  charter  was  held  ;  the  officers  then  chosen  entered  upon  the 
discharge  of  their  duties,  and  the  machinery  of  the  city  government  began  to  move. 

The  city  began  her  career  with  a  population  of  about  13,000,  within  corporate  limits, 
and  as  many  more  just  outside,  separated  merely  by  forms  of  government.  According  to 
annual  statement  we  had  on  January  i,  1887,  4,115  taxable  inhabitants;  a  valuation  of 
taxable  property  amounting  to  $8,138,719;  borough  property  worth  $74,806;  cash  in 
treasury  and  delinquent  taxes  $11,366.47,  making  our  total  assets  $86,172.47  ;  and  a  total 
funded  debt  of  $173,000.  Our  credit  is  good,  and  our  bonds  bearing  four  per  cent, 
interest  command  a  handsome  premium  in  the  open  market. 

The  Common  Councilmen,  of  the  City  of  Easton,  having  assembled  in  the  new 
Council  Chamber,  an  organization  was  effected  by  the  elecflion  of  a  temporary  president 
and  clerk. 


EASTON,    PENN'A. 


369 


COMMON    COUNCIL. 

April  4,  1887.  On  motion  of  Messrs.  Magee  and  Osterstock,  Owen  Hagenbuch  was 
elecfled  temporary  president,  and  Herbert  T.  Buckley  temporary  clerk.  Having  taken 
their  seats,  Mr.  Wood  moved  that  the  Rev.  H.  M.  Kieffer  be  requested  to  open  the  proceed- 
ings with  prayer. 

Rev.  Kieffer  read  the  144th  Psalm  and  offered  a  prayer  in  which  he  invoked  the 
blessings  of  God  on  the  new  municipal  government,  on  the  members  of  Council  and  on 
the  chief  executive  of  the  city. 

CHARLES  FRANCIS  CHIDSEY, 
Charles  Francis  Chidsey,  who  on  April 
4,  1887,  took  the  oath  of  office  as  the  first 
Mayor  of  the  City  of  Easton,  has  lived  there 
the  greater  portion  of  his  life-time,  having 
been  born  on  South  Second  street,  Easton,  on 
Christmas  day,  1843.  He  is  the  third  son  of 
Russell  Smith  Chidsey,  of  Conneaicut,  and 
Eliza  Woodin,  of  New  York.  During  his 
early  boyhood  days  he  attended  the  private 
schools  of  Easton.  In  1855  he  entered  the 
Easton  High  School,  which  was  then  still  in 
its  infancy,  and  graduated  in  1859.  Imme- 
diately after  his  graduation  he  entered  Lafa- 
yette College,  where  he  remained  until  the 
end  of  the  Junior  year,  when  he  went  to  the 
war,  enlisting  as  a  private,  August,  1862,  in 
Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
ninth  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
to  serve  for  nine  months.  The  regiment 
was  at  once  incorporated  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Second  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  Kearneysville, 
Fredericksburg,  and  Chancellorsville.  Hav- 
ing served  his  term  of  enlistment  he  was 
honorably  mustered  out  of  service  with  his 
regiment  at  Harrisburg  in  1863.  In  the  same 
year,  during  the  excitement  caused  by  the 
invasion  of  the  State  by  the  Confederate 
Army,  he  re-enlisted  for  three  months  in  de- 
fense of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  elefted  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  C,  Thirty-eighth 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  remain- 
ing in  service  until  the  regiment  was  dis- 
charged. Upon  his  return  from  the  second 
enlistment  he  again  entered  Lafayette  Col- 
lege, from  which  he  graduated  in  1864,  re- 
ceiving the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  ;  and 
at  the  permanent  organization  of  the  class 

he  was  eletted  president.  After  leaving  Lafayette  he  took  a  complete  course  at  Lowell's  Commercial  College, 
Binghamton,  New  York,  and  then  entered  the  Financial  Office  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company, 
in  New  York  City.  In  1867  he  began  a  short  course  of  law  study  in  the  office  of  John  B.  Linn,  Esq.,  at  Lew- 
isburg,  Pennsylvania ;  and  in  this  year  Lafayette  College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 
In  January,  1869,  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Warren  Foundry  and  Machine  Company  of  Phillipsburg,  New  Jersey,  as 
assistant  secretary,  in  which  position  he  remained  three  years  and  nine  months.  He  has  served  seven  years  as  auditor 
of  the  same  company.  On  the  7th  day  of  July,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  A.  Williams,  of  Little  Falls,  Herki- 
mer County,  New  York,  and  he  has  now  two  daughters  and  three  sons.  In  1871  he  was  elected  a  direflor  of  the  War- 
ren Foundry  and  Machine  Company.     In  1874  Mr.  Chidsey  engaged  in  the  plumbing,  steam  and  gas-fitting  business 


Charles  F.  Chidsicv, 
Mayor  of  the  City  of  Easton. 


37° 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


in  connection  with  Mr.  Jacob  V'annorman.  and  in  this  year  the  firm  was  elected  borough  gas  fitters  by  the  Town  Council 
of  Easton.  In  1S74  he  was  eleccted  a  member  of  the  Easton  Board  of  Control  of  Public  Schools  from  the  Second  Ward. 
He  served  for  three  years  and  at  the  e.xpiration  of  his  term  was  re-elected  in  1S77.  In  March,  1876,  Mr.  Chidsey  was 
elected  by  a  unanimous  vote  President  of  the  Board  of  Control,  and  in  1877,  by  a  like  unanimity  he  was  re-elected  to 
the  same  position.  In  18S1  he  was  appointed  by  the  Court  an  Inspector  of  the  Northampton  County  Prison,  and  was 
five  times  reappointed,  retiring  in  18S7.  He  was  Secretary  of  the  Board  during  his  whole  service  as  Inspector.  In 
1883  he  was  elected  to  Town  Council  from  the  Second  Ward,  to  serve  for  three  years,  and  in  1886  he  was  re-elefted. 
In  1884  he  received  by  acclamation  the  Republican 
nomination  for  Congress  from  the  Tenth  Pennsyl- 
vania District,  which  was  Democratic  by  about  eight 
thousand  majority.  Mr.  Chidsey  conduaed  a  very 
spirited  campaign  against  his  opponent,  the  Hon. 
William  H.  Sowden,  and,  although  unsuccessful, 
made  the  handsome  gain  of  2000  votes  in  the  District. 
In  1S86  he  was  the  Senatorial  Delegate  from  this  County 
to  the  Republican  State  Convention.  While  there  he 
placed  in  nomination  for  Congress  at  large,  his  friend, 
the  present  Attorney  General  of  Pennsylvania,  Hon. 
Wm.  S.  Kirkpatrick.  His  nominating  speech  was 
pronounced  by  the  Philadelphia  Press  "one  of  the 
brightest  and  best,"  and  by  the  Philadelphia  Times 
"  the  gem  of  that  Convention."  He  received  the  Re- 
publican nomination  for  Mayor  without  opposition,  and 
although  Easton  at  the  time  was  Democratic,  he  was 
elected  its  first  Mayor,  February  15,  1S87,  by  a  majority 
of  233  votes.  In  politics  Mr.  Chidsey  has  always  been 
a  Republican  of  liberal  tendencies.  In  religion  he  is  a 
Presbyterian,  being  a  member  and  also  a  Trustee  of 
the  First  Church  of  Easton.  He  has  always  been  active 
in  religious  affairs.  While  a  member  of  the  American 
Reformed  Church— now  the  Second  Presbyterian— sit- 
uated on  Spring  Garden  street,  he  was  one  of  the  dea- 
cons, and  one  of  the  building  committee  which  erected 
their  present  beautiful  edifice.  In  1878  he  was  Presi- 
dent of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  The 
same  year  he  was  chosen  President  of  the  Lehigh  and 
Eastern  Railroad— a  projected  line  to  run  from  Port 
Jervis,  N.  Y.,  to  Tomhickon,  Pa.  Mr.  C.  never  joined 
any  of  the  numerous  secret  societies  of  Easton  except 
ing  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  In  this  betakes 
a  lively  interest.  In  1873  he  purchased  a  part  of  the 
garden  belonging  to  Judge  H.  D.  Maxwell,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Green  and  Bushkill  streets,  and  on  it  erected  the 
large  and  comfortable  house  in  which  he  now  resides. 

The  roll  was  then  called  showing  that  the  following  members  were  present,  namely  : 

First  ;F(2/-r/— Joseph  S.  Osterstock,  John  Brunner,  H.  W.  Cooley,  Horace  Magee. 

Second  IVard—^.  E.  Buckman,  J.  Whit.  Wood,  D.  W.  Nevin,  M.  J.  Riegel. 

Third  Ward—WWWam  Brinker,  Edward  Dietrich,  William  H.  Ward. 

Fourth  /r<7;v/— John  N.  Linden,  Christian  Franklin,  W.  R.  Francisco,  Samuel  Moses. 

Fiftli  U'ard — Owen  Hagenbuch,  Reuben  Hellick,  Benjamin  W.  Kline,  John  Manning. 

Sixth  U'ard — Marion  A.  Pentz,  Leopold  Steckel,  George  B.  Strickland,  Cieo.  H.  Derr. 

Seventh  Ward—]o\\\\  Wendling,  Abraham  Unangst,  A.  E.  Thornton,  Wm.  Lear. 

Council  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  permanent  president. 

Mr.  Wood  nominated  D.  W.  Nevin,  of  the  Second  Ward. 

Mr.  Derr  nominated  W.  R.  FrancLsco,  of  the  Fourth  Ward. 

Messrs.    Brunner,    Buckman,    Cooley,    Franci.sco,  Hagenbuch,    Hellick,    Kline,  Lear, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


11^ 


Magee,  Osterstock,  Pentz,  Riegel,  Strickland,  Unangst,  Wendling,  Wood(i6)  voted  for  D. 
W.  Nevin.  Messrs.  Brinker,  Derr,  Dietrich,  Franklin,  Linden,  Manning,  Moses,  Steckel, 
Thornton,  Ward  and  Nevin  (ii)  voted  for  W.  R.  Francisco. 

D.  W.  Nevin  was  declared  elected  President  of  Common  Council. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Brunner,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  conduct  the  president  to  the 
chair. 

The  President /ra  tern,  appointed  Messrs.  Brunner,  Francisco  and  Riegel,  who  at  once 
escorted  D.  W.  Nevin  to  the  chair,  where  the  oath  of  office  was  administered  by  President 
pro  tern.  Hagenbuch.  The  newly  eledled  president  then  assumed  control  of  Council,  and 
made  a  few  remarks  in  which  he  alluded  to  the  facft  that  he  was  the  second  youngest  member 
of  Council  and  that  under  the  circumstan- 
ces he  felt  the  responsibilities  of  the  office 
to  which  he  had  been  called,  but  he  cher- 
ished the  hope  that  the  responsibility 
would  be  made  lighter  by  the  aid  and  co- 
operation of  the  members  of  Council.  He 
said  the  first  official  adl  he  was  called 
upon  to  perform  was  the  administration 
of  the  oath  of  office  to  the  members  of 
Council.  The  members  then  subscribed 
their  names  to  the  oath  and  Council  was 
declared  duly  organized  and  prepared  to 
proceed  to  business.  Mr.  Wood  offered 
a  set  of  rules  for  the  regulation  and  gov- 
ernment of  the  proceedings  of  Common 
Council.  They  were  substantially  those 
used  in  the  Borough  Council  with  such 
changes  as  the  law  governing  cities  made 
necessary. 

SELECT  COUNCIL. 
Selecft  Council  met  the  same  morning, 
April  4th,  1887,  in  the  third  story  of  the 
municipal  building  in  Centre  Square. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  John  P.  Ricker,  I.  A. 
Smith  was  chosen  temporary  chairman  ; 
Mr.  Smith  took  the  chair. 

Mayor-ele(?t  Charles  F.  Chidsey  then 
came  into  the  chamber  with  the  Rev.  Kieffer,  of  the  Third  street  Reformed  Church,  whom 
he  introduced  to  the  members.      Mr.  Kieffer  read  the  144th  Psalm  and  invoked  the  Divine 
blessing. 

Chairman  Smith  then  stated  that  the  nomination  for  Secretary /;-<?  tcm.  was  next  in 
order. 

On  motion,  George  Shiffer  was  eledled. 

The  credentials  of  the  members  were  then  presented. 


George  J.  Heck, 
First  President  of  Select  Council 


372  THE   HISTORY  OF 

A  call  of  the  roll  showed  that  the  following  were  present : 
First  J!  ard— George].  Heck. 
Second  IVard—T).  A.  Tinsman. 
Third  IVard— "Thomas  Burley. 
Fourth  Ward— ]o\\n  P.  Richer. 
Fifth  lVard—KA?im  Shiffer. 
Sixth  J Fard— Isaac  A.  Smith. 
Seventh  //(?;-«'— William  Hauck. 

The  Chairman  stated  that  he  was  ready  to  receive  nominations  for  permanent  president. 
Mr.  Richer  nominated  Mr.  Smith. 
Air.  Tinsman  nominated  Mr.  Heck. 
The  vote  being  taken,  showed  the  following : 
For  Mr.  Heck — Messrs.  Hauck,  Shiffer  and  Tinsman  (3). 
For  Mr.  Smith — Messrs.  Burley,  Richer  and  Smith  (3). 
Mr.  Heck  voted  for  Mr.  Tinsman  (i). 

There  being  no  choice.  Council  proceeded  to  a  second  ballot,  which  resulted  as  follows  : 
For  Mr.  Heck — Messrs.  Heck,  Hauck,  Shiffer  and  Tinsman  (4). 
For  Mr.  Smith — Messrs.  Burley  and  Richer  (2). 
Mr.  Smith  voted  for  Mr.  Tinsman. 

Mr.  Heck  having  received  a  majority  vote  was  defied  president  for  the  ensuing  year. 
Mr.  Smith  then  administered  the  oath  of  office  to  Mr.  Heck,  who  in  turn  administered 
it  to  the  other  members. 

JOINT    MEETING   OF   SELECT    AND   COMMON    COUNCILS. 

The  joint  Convention  was  organized  by  the  eledlion  of  D.  W.  Nevin  as  Chairman /;7) 
tciu.,  and  Herbert  T.  Buckley,  Secretary. 

Councilman  Wood  then  offered  a  set  of  rules  for  the  government  of  joint  conventions 
of  Councils  which  were  adopted  as  read.  In  accordance  therewith  George  Heck,  Presi- 
dent of  SeleA  Council,  assumed  the  Chairmanship  of  the  joint  Convention.  The  hour 
having  arrived  for  the  inauguration  of  city  officers,  on  motion  of  Councilman  Wood  the 
Convention  adjourned  to  meet  after  the  inauguration  exercises. 

Mayor-ele<5l  Chidsey  then  took  a  position  before  the  assembled  members  of  Selecft  and 
Common  Council  and  said  : 

"Gentlemen:  Standing  on  the  threshold  of  my  administration,  I  think  it  proper 
that  the  first  step  be  taken  with  prayer  to  Almighty  God."  He  then  called  on  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Ed.sall  Ferrier  to  lead  in  prayer.  After  prayer  the  oath  of  office  was  administered  by 
Justice  Reuben  Kolb.      Mayor  Chidsey  then  delivered  his  inaugural  address. 

The  transition  to  a  city  government  was  made  without  friction.  It  was  feared  that 
expenses  would  be  increased,  but  by  very  skilful  management  the  reverse  has  resulted. 
Early  in  his  administration  the  Mayor  recommended  mercantile  city  licenses,  graded  in 
kind  and  in  amount  of  business  done.  The  income  from  this  source  brings  about  $4500 
into  the  treasury  annually.  Nearly  an  entirely  new  set  of  ordinances  was  required  by  the 
change  in  the  government.  The  police  force  has  been  remodeled.  There  are  now  eleven 
policemen — a  chief,  lieutenant,  sergeant  and  patrolmen,  distributed  by  districts  instead  of 


E AS  TON.    PENN'A. 


373 


wards,  with  a  regular  system  of  night  and  day  patrol.  There  is  far  less  crime  and  rowdy- 
ism ;  centres  of  questionable  resort  are  watched  ;  tramps  are  halted  and  sent  out  of  the 
city  or  to  jail ;  the  choice  is  soon  made,  and  the  order  of  march  begins.  During  the 
new  administration  there  has  not  been  one  complaint  against  the  force  for  intemperance. 
The  efficiency  of  the  police,  fire,  and  eledlric  light  departments  is  very  much  enhanced  by 
the  Mayor's  non-partisan  appointments. 
For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  mu- 
nicipal government  fitness  for  the  position 
and  not  politics  governs  appointment  to 
office. 

During  Mayor  Chidsey's  administra- 
tion an  incident  occurred  wliich  may  or 
may  not  be  an  annoyance  to  the  city  in 
the  future.  A  lot  of  ground  eighty  feet 
in  length  and  breadth,  in  the  centre  of 
the  Public  Square,  had  been  given  in  the 
year  1764  to  Northampton  County  for  a 
court  house  by  the  sons  of  William  Penn. 
After  the  ere<5lion  of  the  present  court 
house,  and  the  abandonment  of  the  old 
site  for  more  than  twenty-five  years,  it  was 
claimed  by  the  heirs  of  the  donor.  On 
July  28,  1888,  C.  B.  Taylor,  Esq.,  of  Phil- 
adelphia, attorney  for  the  Penn  heirs,  came 
to  Easton,  entered  the  circle  and  took  for- 
mal possession  of  the  land.  The  Mayor 
very  politely  placing  his  hand  on  the 
attorney's  shoulder,  ejecfted  him  therefrom. 
An  a(ftion  has  been  brought  in  the  United 
States  Distri6l  Court  to  recover  the  pro- 
perty. 

This  first  administration  has  been  em- 
inently successful,  and  the  new  form  of  government  has  already  become  very  popular. 

easton's  first  officers  under  a  city  charter. 


Aaron  Goldsmith, 
First  Solicitor  for  the  City  of  Easton. 


Eledled  by  the  people  February  15th, 
year  : 


1887,  and  inaugurated  April  4th  of  the  same 


Mayor — Charles  Francis  Chidsey. 
Controller — Henry  Adams  Rothrock. 
Treasurer — James  McCauley. 
EleAed  by  City  Councils  : 

Solicitor — Aaron  Goldsmith. 

City  C7,?r/&— Herbert  T.  Buckley. 

City  Engineer  and  Commissioner  of  Highivays — J.  Marshall  Young. 

Assistant  Commissioner  of  Highivays — Noah  Dietrich. 


374 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Appointed  by  Maj'or  Chidsey  : 

Sttperintendefit  of  Electric  Light  Dcpartincnt — Howard  Rinek. 
Chief  of  Police— Hmry  C.  Tilton. 
Lientenaut  and  City  Detective — ^James  Simons. 
Sergeant — Edward  Kelly. 

Patrolmen — First  Distri(ft,  Thomas  Stoneback  ;  Second  Distridl,  James  Tomer  ; 
Third  Distri(5l,   Samuel  Paul ;  Fourth   Districfl,  Andrew  Bitzer ;  Fifth  Distridl,  Jeremiah 
Weaver ;  Sixth  Distridl,  Robert  M.  Price — who  resigned  during  his  term  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  William  Denninger;  Seventh  Distri6l,  Isaac  Leauber.    Reserve — Charles  S.  Reed. 
Doorman  at  Central  Police  Station — ^James  Spruell  (colored). 
The  term  of  service  for  the  Mayor  and  all  of  the  officers  mentioned  above  is  two  years. 
The  Mayor  also  appointed  the  following  Board  of  Health,  whose  terms  vary  from 
one  to  five  years,  viz  :  Dr.  Charles  I.  Roseberry,  President ;  Dr.  Joseph  S.  Hunt,  Charles 
L.  Hemingway,  Dr.  John  J.  Serfass  and  John  W.  H.  Knerr.     The   Chief  of  Police  was 
chosen  Health  Officer  and  the  City  Clerk  the  Secretary  of  the  Board. 

During  a  few  months  of  the  city's  life  Robert  H.  Lerch  served  as  Superintendent  of  the 
Elecftric  Light  Department ;  and  the  old  Board  of  Health  served  till  September  ist,  1S87. 
Besides  the  policemen  mentioned,  who  constituted  the  regular  uniformed  force,  the 
Mayor  appointed  John  Beam  policeman  and  lamplighter  for  Dock  street,  and  twenty 
special  policemen.  The  number  of  the  latter  was  fixed  by  ordinance,  and  the  men  received 
the  bulk  of  their  pay  from  private  persons  who  employed  them  as  watchmen. 

REDIVISION    OF   THE    BOROUGH    INTO   WARDS. 

By  a  decree  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  June  25,  1S81,  the  Borough  of  Easton 
was  redivided  into  seven  wards,  as  follows  : 

First.  All  that  portion  of  said  borough  lying  south  of  the  middle  of  Northampton 
street,  between  the  Delaware  river  and  Fourth  street,  and  east  of  the  middle  of  Fourth 
street,  from  Northampton  street  to  the  Lehigh  river,  shall  constitute  the  First  ward. 

Second.  All  that  portion  of  said  borough  lying  north  of  the  middle  of  Northampton 
street,  between  the  Delaware  and  Fourth  street,  east  of  the  middle  of  Fourth  and  south  of 
the  Bushkill  creek,  shall  constitute  the  Second  ward. 

Third.   All  that  portion  of  said  borough  lying  north  of  the  Bushkill  creek. 

Fourth.  All  that  portion  of  said  borough  lying  north  of  the  middle  of  Northampton 
street,  between  Fourth  and  Sixth  streets,  and  lying  north  of  the  middle  of  Walnut  and 
Pine  streets,  between  Sixth  street  and  Tenth  street,  east  of  the  middle  of  Tenth  street  and 
south  of  the  Bushkill  creek,  shall  constitute  the  Fourth  ward. 

Fifth.  All  that  portion  of  said  borough  lying  south  of  the  middle  of  Northampton 
street,  between  Fourth  street  and  Sixth  street,  west  of  the  middle  of  Fourth  street  and 
east  of  the  middle  of  Sixth  street,  shall  constitute  the  Fifth  ward. 

Sixth.  All  that  portion  of  said  borough  lying  south  of  the  middle  of  Walnut  and  Pine 
streets,  between  Sixth  street  and  Tenth  street,  west  of  the  middle  of  Sixth  street  and  east 
of  the  middle  of  Tenth  street,  shall  constitute  the  Sixth  ward. 

Seventh.  All  that  portion  of  said  borough  lying  west  of  the  middle  of  Tenth  street 
and  extending  from  said  Tenth  street  to  the  western  limits  of  said  borough,  and  from  the 
Bushkill  creek  to  the  Lehigh  river,  shall  constitute  the  Seventh  ward. 


THE  BANKS  OF  EASTON. 


'HE  NAME  BANK  comes  from  banco,  signifying  bench,  which  was  eredled 
in  the  market  place  for  the  convenience  of  changing  money.  The  first 
bank  established  was  in  808,  by  the  Lombard  Jews,  of  whom  some  settled 
in  Lombard  street,  London,  where  many  bankers  still  reside.  The  first 
bank  of  England  was  established  in  1694,  and  the  first  United  States  Bank 
was  established  in  1791,  under  the  influence  and  by  the  keen  foresight  of 
Alexander  Hamilton,  who  was  styled  the  Moses  of  American  Finance, 
who,  by  the  stroke  of  his  rod,  brought  the  stream  of  prosperity  from  the 
rock  of  public  credit  for  the  infant  republic.  This  bank  had  a  capital  of 
$10,000,000,  and  could  not  supply  a  circulating  medium  for  the  financial 
necessities  of  individual  states.  And  to  supply  this  growing  need  the 
Pennsylvania  Bank  was  established  in  1793  by  A61  of  the  Legislature  of  the  Common- 
wealth (Dallas  Laws,  Vol.  3,  page  323).  The  capital  stock  of  this  bank  was  limited  to 
$3,000,000.  It  is  stated  in  the  preamble  of  the  a<Si  that  the  bank  was  established  so  as  to 
afford  adequate  security  for  an  upright  and  prudent  administration  of  its  affairs,  and  to  pro- 
mote the  regular,  permanent  and  successful  operation  of  the  finances  of  the  state. 

Section  fifteenth  of  this  a6l  authorized  this  bank  to  establish  branches  at  Lancaster, 
York  or  Reading,  or  wherever  they  should  think  proper  in  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of 
discount  and  deposit  only.  But  no  branch  should  be  established  in  any  community  with- 
out the  consent  of  such  town  or  borough.  As  early  as  about  1800  a  branch  of  this  bank 
was  established  in  Easton.  It  was  located  in  the  building  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
Square  and  Third  street  (now  Adams  Express  Office),  in  a  building  built  by  Jacob  Arndt 
in  1790.  The  building  was  stone,  and  is  still  standing,  among  the  oldest  houses  in  Easton. 
The  brick  part  of  the  house  was  eredled  at  a  later  period,  but  the  bank  was  always  located 
in  the  old  stone  strncfture.  The  first  cashier  of  this  bank  was  Mordica  Churchman,  a 
Quaker  from  Philadelphia.  This  bank  had  a  regular  board  of  trustees,  but  no  president. 
It  was  one  of  four  branches,  and  was  the  most  profitable  of  the  four.  It  did  the  business 
of  a  very  large  area,  and  was  very  successful  in  its  financial  operations.  In  1827,  Philip 
Mattes  was  appointed  cashier,  Joseph  Horn  was  teller  and  John  Heckman  was  book-keeper. 
This  was  the  first  financial  institution  in  Easton.  It  continued  in  operation  till  1845, 
when  the  business  was  closed  up,  and  the  books  removed  to  Philadelphia.  The  facts 
concerning  this  bank  were  received  from  Mr.  Henry  Mattes,  a  son  of  one  the  officers  of 
the  institution. 

The  war  of  18 12  had  seriously  taxed  the  energies  and  crippled  the  prosperity  of  the 
country.  And  in  no  State  was  this  more  seriously  felt  than  in  the  widely  scattered  popu- 
lation of  Pennsylvania.  The  bank  already  in  Easton  was  only  one  of  discount  and 
deposit,  and  could  not  issue  its  own  paper,  and  so  did  not  supply  the  public  demand.  In 
the  pamphlet  laws  of  1813  and  1814,  page  154,  we  find  an  A(fl  passed  by  the  Legislature, 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


ill 


dividing  the  State  into  twenty-seven  distridls,  in  each  of  which  there  might  be  one  or 
three  banks  as  necessity  might  demand.  Northampton  county  and  a  part  of  Wayne  con- 
stituted one  distridl,  in  which  one  bank  was  to  be  established  in  Easton  and  called  the 
"Easton  Bank."  There  was  also  to  be  an  office  of  discount  and  deposit  in  Milford  under 
the  control  of  the  Easton  Bank.  The  a(5l  was  vetoed  by  Governor  Snyder,  but  imme- 
diately passed  over  the  veto  by  both  houses  on  the  twenty-first  of  March,  1814.  The 
Commissioners  appointed  by  this  a6l  to  carry  out  its  provisions  were  Christian  Bixler,  W. 
Latimore,  Conrad  Krider,  James  Holingshead,  Matthias  Gress,  James  Clyde,  John  Davi- 
son, Abraham  Levan,  Abraham  Horn,  George  Beidleman,  of  Easton,  and  George  Butz,  of 
the  County  of  Northampton ;  John  Coolbaugh,  John  Brodhead,  Daniel  Dimick,  of  the 
County  of  Wayne.  The  duty  of  the  Commissioners  was  to  organize  the  bank.  They 
were  to  open  the  books,  receive  the  subscription,  the  shares  being  fifty  dollars  each.  The 
Easton  Bank  was  to  have  eight  thousand  shares,  a  capital 
of  $400,000  ;  the  Milford  branch  was  to  have  six  hundred 
shares.  The  stockholders  were  to  eledl  thirteen  direc- 
tors, one  of  whom  should  be  chosen  for  president.  The 
Commissioners  called  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders 
■-  according  to  the  acfl.  The  Hon.  Samuel  Sitgreaves  hav- 
ing been  elecfled  one  of  the  diredlors  was  chosen  the  first 
president  of  the  Easton  Bank  in  1814.  Mr.  Sitgreaves 
had  been  in  public  life  for  many  years,  a  leading  mem- 
ber of  Congress  during  a  part  of  Washington's  and 
Adams'  administrations,  a  member  of  a  Commission  sit- 
tmg  in  Philadelphia  to  adjust  disputed  points  in  Jay's 
Treaty,  and  a  special  Minister  to  the  Court  of  St.  James 
to  complete  the  unfinished  business  of  the  Philadelphia 
Commission.  His  name  was  a  tower  of  strength  to  the 
bank,  which  took  a  high  stand  in  public  esteem,  and  has 
ever  been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  successful  finan- 
cial institutions  in  the  State.  Mr.  Sitgreaves  died  April 
4,  1827,  and  was  succeeded  by  Col.  Thomas  McKeen,  who  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
citizens  of  Easton.  He  was  of  Scotch  blood,  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  June  27,  1763, 
and  came  to  this  country  when  a  youth.  In  1814,  when  the  Easton  Bank  was  organ- 
ized, he  became  cashier,  and  occupied  the  position  till  the  death  of  Mr.  Sitgeaves,  in  1827, 
when  he  was  elecfted  president  of  the  institution,  and  remained  in  the  position  till  1851. 
At  88  years  of  age  he  declined  a  re-ele(5lion.  He  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  David  D.  Wage- 
ner  as  president,  on  May  4,  1852,  who  retained  the  position  till  his  death,  OcSlober  i,  i860. 
Mr.  John  Davis  succeeded  Mr.  Wagener  and  performed  the  duties  of  his  position  accepta- 
ble to  all  concerned  and  died  in  1873.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  William  Hackett,  who 
still  remains  at  his  post.  He  was  born  in  1812  ;  is  the  son  of  James  Hackett.  He  was 
cashier  twenty-two  years  before  he  was  eledled  to  the  office  of  president.  His  son  Wil- 
liam is  now  cashier,  and  his  grandson,  William  H.  is  one  of  the  clerks.  The  personnel 
of  the  bank  are — ^Jacob  H.  Holt,  teller ;  Daniel  L.  Bixler  and  Frank  A.  Sletor,  book- 
keepers ;  Charles  M.  Butz  and  Harry  Bixler,  discount  clerks ;  William  H.  Hackett  and 
Henry  G.  Siegfried,  clerks ;  George  Bebler,  janitor. 


EASTON    NATIONAL    BANK. 


378 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Directors — Michael  Butz,  Jeremiah  Angleineyer,  Daniel  Black,  Jacob  Fraley,  Wil- 
liam Hackett,  James  W.  Long,  Henry  B.  Semple,  William  A.  Seitz,  Joseph  S.  Roden- 
bough,  John  Knecht,  Edward  I.  Hunt,  Cyrus  Lawall,  James  V.  Bull. 

The  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Bank  was  organized  August  12,  1851,  at  the  American 
Hotel,  bv  the  election  of  the  following  Board  of  Directors  :  P.  S.  Michler,  Richard  Brod- 
head,  John  Drake,  John  Green,  D.  S.  Miller,  William  Beitel,  E.  B.  Mixsell,  Russel  Chid- 
sey,  David  Connor,  A.  W.  Radley,  Peter  Gross,  Abraham  Miller,  C.  C.  Field,  Frederick 
Seitz,  S.  R.  Hoagland,  S.  R.  Rodenbough,  John  Knecht,  H.  S.  Troxell.  The  bank  began 
operations  in  the  rooms  in  the  residence  of  F.  C.  Mattes.  At  an  adjourned  meeting  of 
the  Board  of  Directors,  August  16,  P.  S.  Michler  was  elected  president.  The  board 
adjourned  to  August  18,  when,  having  met,  McEvers  Forman  was  eleCled  cashier.  P. 
S.  Michler  served  in  the  capacity  of  president  till  1861,  and  on  ]\Iay  22  offered  his  resigna- 


tion to  take  effedl  on  the  following  July  i.  It  was  accepted,  and  John  Stewart  was  elected 
his  successor.  At  a  meeting  of  the  board,  held  August  19,  1865,  it  was  resolved  to 
apply  to  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  for  the  conversion  of  the  Bank  into  a  National 
Banking  Association,  to  be  known  as  "The  First  National  Bank  of  Easton."  The  appli- 
cation was  granted,  and  the  name  of  the  bank  was  changed  according  to  the  request. 
Of  this  bank  Mr.  John  Stewart  remained  president  till  December  29,  1875,  when  he 
resigned.  He  was  leader  in  many  enterprises,  particularly  in  building  the  rolling  and 
wire  mill  in  South  Easton.  He  died,  April  13,  1885.  Mr.  McEvers  Forman  was  elecfted 
to  fill  the  position  left  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  John  Stewart.  At  the  same  time 
John  F.  Gwinner  was  elediled  cashier  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  eleClion  of 
McEvers  Forman  to  the  presidency.  President  McEvers  Forman  died  January  11,  1885, 
and  on  Tuesday,  January  13,  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  diredlors,  Edward  F.  Stewart 
was  eledled  a  director,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  board,  January  21,  1885,  Mr.  Stewart 
was  eleAed  president  of  the  First  National  Bank.  The  personnel  of  the  bank  is  as 
follows:  President,  Edward  F.  Stewart;  Cashier,  John  F.  Gwinner;  Teller,  A.  A.  Ham- 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


379 


man ;  Book-keepers,  Chester  Snyder,  E.  B.  Arndt,  H.  S.  Kennedy ;  Discount  Clerk, 
Thomas  M.  Riegel ;  Clerks,  John  D.  Transue,  Loyd  R.  Wilson. 

Directors— E.  F.  Stewart,  B.  F.  Riegel,  Henry  Fulmer,  Jacob  Walter,  A.  R.  Dunn, 
Edward  Hilliard,  Samuel  Drake,  John  T.  Knight,  Eli  M.  Fox,  William  G.  Stewart,  Wil- 
liam H.  HuHck,  Daniel  W.  Snyder,  William  Keller. 

Under  an  a6l  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  approved  April  8,  1851, 
the  Northampton  County  National  Bank  was  established  in  1869  as  a  savings  bank. 
Col.  William  H.  Hntter  was  instrumental  in  originating  the  mstitution.  Judge  Joseph 
Laubach  was  its  first  president,  and  Col.  Hutter  became  cashier.  Judge  Laubach,  Hon. 
Henry  Green,  Philip  F.  Stier,  Enos  Werkheiser,  B.  E.  Lehman,  Joseph  Sigman  and 
John  A.  Innes,  were  the  first  dire6lors.  When  Jay  Cooke  failed  in  1873  ^^  financial 
affairs  of  the  country  became  very  much  disturbed,  and  all  the  banks  of  this  class  began 
to  lose  public  confidence.  The  pressure  of  the  depositors  became  so  great  that  all  these 
banks  in  Northampton  and  Lehigh  counties  were  compelled  to  close  up  their  affairs, 
except  this  one.  In  1878  they  were  authorized  to  organize  under  the  national  banking 
system,  and  became  ' '  The  Northampton  County  National  Bank. ' '  Judge  Laubach  resigned 
the  presidency  and  Cyrus  Lawall  was  elected  to  the  position.  In  the  fall  of  1885,  both  Mr. 
Lawall  and  Col.  Hutter  resigned  their  positions,  and  were  succeeded  by  Thomas  T.  Miller 
and  Elijah  J.  Richards,  as  president  and  cashier.  The  Savings  Bank  began  to  do  business 
in  what  is  now  a  part  of  T.  T.  Miller's  hardware  store.  In  1873  they  eredled  the  building 
they  now  occupy.  The  bank  is  in  a  highly  prosperous  condition,  and  the  last  named  offi- 
cers still  retain  their  places.  The  following  is  the  personnel  of  the  Northampton  County 
National  Bank  :  President,  Thomas  T.  Miller ;  Cashier,  E.  J.  Richards ;  Teller,  A.  W. 
Herman  ;  Clerks,  John  Neumeyer,  W.  Fred.  Keller. 

Directors— John  Richards,  J.  H.  Wilhelm,  H.  C.  Barnet,  John  J.  Unangst,  Wil- 
liam Laubach,  Enos  Werkheiser,  Philip  F.  Fulmer,  Philip  F.  Stier,  Xavier  Veile,  Thos. 
T.  Miller,  H.  J.  Boyer,  Jonathan  Moore,  George  Hohl. 

The  condition  of  the  Easton  Banks,  0<5lober  4,  1888  (quarterly  statement). 

RESOURCES. 

First  Easton  Northampton  Co. 

National  Bank.  National  Bank.  National  Bank. 

Loans  and  discounts $1,072,867.65  $1,217,678.92  $328,070.27 

U.  S.  bonds  to  secure  circulation loo.ooo.oo  50,000.00  84,000.00 

Due  to  other  banks 74,361.44  107,201.07  51,538.46 

Real  estate,  furniture  and  fixtures 27,591.23  32,990.33  17,000.00 

Cash       73,192.62  109,365.06  46,169.76 

Current  expenses  and  ta.\es  paid 5,458.12  6,873-57  1,506.90 

Premiums  paid 3,000.00  11,000.00 

Redemption  fund  with  U.  S.  Treasurer 4,500.00  2,250.00  3,780.00 

Overdrafts 2,211.61  1,541.43  2,624.18 

Totals $1,363,182.67  $1,527,900.38  $545,589-57 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital  stock  paid  in $    400,000.00  $    500,000.00  $134,000.00 

Surplus  fund 80,000.00  100,000.00  15,000  00 

Undivided  profits ...          61,108.66  116,838.14  9,787.43 

National  bank  notes  outstanding 89,100.00  45,000.00  75,600.00 

Dividends  unpaid 2,321.60  2,486.75  402.30 

Individual  deposits  subjefl  to  check 749,143-75  7i9,5t4-9o  306,508.39 

Due  to  other  national  banks 14,854.50  95,333-51  4,392-45 

Due  to  state  banks  and  bankers 81.83  4,627.08 

Totals $1,396,610.34  $1,583,800.38  $545,690-57 


COMMON  SCHOOL  SYSTEM. 


JhE  next  important  educational  movement,  succeeding  the  organization 
of  Lafayette  College,  was  the  establishment,  in  1834,  of  a  system  of  educa- 
cation  by  common  school. 

The  attitude  of  the  State,  in  the  matter  of  popular  education,  was 
assumed  mainly  through  the  influence  of  Governor  George  Wolf,  the  warm 
friend  and  potent  advocate  of  universal  education.  Governor  Wolf  was  a 
native  of  Northampton  county,  and  a  resident  of  Easton  at  the  time  of  his 
elevation  to  the  office  of  chief  magistrate  of  the  Commonwealth. 

In  the  "Memoirs  of  the  Governors  of  Pennsylvania,"  by  W^.  C.  Armor, 
it  is  said,  "the  most  substantial  and  enduring  merit  of  Governor  Wolf 
was  evinced  in  his  advocacy  of  a  system  of  popular  education.  James 
Buchanan,  in  a  speech  delivered  previous  to  the  elecfhiou  of  the  Governor,  had  said  :  '  If 
ever  the  passion  of  env)'  could  be  excused,  a  man  ambitious  for  true  glory,  he  might 
almost  be  justified  in  envying  the  fame  of  that  favored  individual,  whoever  he  may  be, 
whom  Providence  intends  to  make  the  instrument  in  establishing  common  schools  through- 
out this  Commonwealth.  His  task  will  be  arduous.  He  will  have  many  difficulties  to 
encounter,  and  many  prejudices  to  overcome ;  but  his  fame  will  exceed  even  that  of  the 
great  Clinton,  in  the  same  proportion  that  mind  is  superior  to  matter.  Whilst  the  one 
has  eredled  a  frail  memorial,  which,  like  everything  human,  must  decay  and  perish,  the 
other  will  raise  a  monument  which  shall  flourish  in  immortal  youth,  and  endure  whilst 
the  human  soul  shall  continue  to  exist.  Ages  unborn,  and  nations  yet  behind,  shall  bless 
his  memory.'  To  George  Wolf,  that  honor  was  accorded,  and  to  him  in  all  time  to  come," 
can  the  citizens  of  Easton  point  with  special  pride,  "when  the  inquirer  shall  seek  to 
know  b\'  whose  voice  and  sturdy  will  that  great  boon  was  championed  and  finallv  won." 

The  citizens  of  Easton  participated  largely  in  the  agitation  induced  by  the  adoption 
of  the  common  school  law,  and  were  not  slow  in  accepting  and  enforcing  its  provisions. 

The  first  board  of  school  diredlors  elecfted  under  the  statute  organized  September  25, 
1834,  and  consisted  of  the  following  persons:  Rev.  John  P.  Hecht,  president;  Samuel 
Kinsey,  secretary  ;  Rev.  B.  C.  Wolff",  Enock  Clark,  Michael  Odenwelder,  George  Hess,  Esq. 
The  number  of  children  in  the  borough  of  proper  school  age,  at  the  time,  was  esti- 
mated at  nine  hundred,  for  whose  instruction,  it  was  proposed  to  employ  twenty  teachers, 
and  to  procure  as  many  school-rooms  for  their  accommodation. 

As  the  school  funds,  raised  directly  under  the  general  provisions  of  the  a<5l  of  Assem- 
bly, was  inadequate  to  the  demands  of  the  distri(5l,  and  as  an  additional  sum  was  author- 
ized to  be  raised,  when  a  majority  of  the  people  of  any  district  consented  to  a  special  tax- 
levy  for  the  purpose,  the  citizens  of  the  borough  met,  agreeably  to  the  requirements  of 
the  law,  November  15,   1834,  and  resolved,  that  an  additional   tax  of  $1500  for  school 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  381 

expenditures,  be  assessed  and  colledled  within  the  borough  of  Easton,  for  the  current 
year,  besides  the  sum  to  be  colledled  with  the  county  rates  and  levies. 

The  necessary  funds  having  been  provided,  the  board  advertised  in  the  newspapers 
of  the  town  for  proposals  from  teachers  of  approved  qualifications,  to  take  charge  of  the 
schools,  stating  the  number  of  pupils  they  would  be  willing  to  receive,  and  the  terms  on 
which  they  would  teach  each  child  per  month.  The  following  were  the  rates  of  tuition 
agreed  upon  : 

"Teachers  of  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  beyond  reducftion,  were  to  receive 
sixty  cents  per  month  for  each  pupil." 

"Teachers  of  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  up  to  the  rule  of  three,  were  to  receive 
forty-seven  and  a  half  cents  per  month  for  each  pupil." 

"Teachers  of  alphabet,  spelling,  reading,  and  writing,  or  any  one  of  these  branches, 
were  to  be  paid  thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents  per  month  for  each  pupil." 

In  consequence  of  the  board's  inability  to  secure  sufficient  school-room  accommoda- 
tions, arrangements  were  made  for  the  admission  of  public  school  children  into  several  of 
the  private  schools  of  the  town,  their  tuition  having  been  paid  from  the  funds  of  the  dis- 
trict, and  in  accordance  with  the  rates  established  by  the  board. 

On  the  ist  day  of  January,  1835,  the  public  schools  of  Easton  were  first  opened,  and 
were  placed  under  the  care  of  the  following  teachers :  Joseph  P.  Deringer,  Henry  Hem- 
sing,  Paul  Higgins,  Jacob  Slemmer,  P.  G.  Sherman,  Gertrude  Kemper,  Rosanna  Bidle- 
man,  Julianna  Moebus,  Mary  Freeman,  Mary  B.  Harrison,  M.  McGaugey,  Louisa  Tin- 
dall,  Harriet  Sill,  M.  A.  Rogers,  Louisa  Hecht,  Sophia  Hecht,  Eliza  Failing,  Leonora 
Bnrnsides,  B.  Burnsides,  A.  L.  Osterstock,  Elizabeth  Murray. 

The  following  teachers  of  private  schools  received  pupils  from  the  distri(5l  schools  on 
special  terms :  Rev.  John  Vanderveer,  Josiah  Davis,  Misses  Lorrain,  Mrs.  Prior,  Mrs.  M. 
A.  Ralston. 

The  inauguration  of  the  system  of  common  schools  in  Easton  was  attended  with 
much  opposition.  This  was  more  actively  displayed,  when  the  question  as  to  the  addi- 
tional school  funds  to  be  raised  was  submitted  and  voted  upon  in  the  annual  town  meet- 
ing. At  the  annual  meeting,  in  1835,  the  excitement  became  so  intense,  and  the  pro- 
ceedings so  turbulent,  as  to  render  the  definite  disposal  of  any  proposed  measure  impossi- 
ble. At  the  suggestion  of  the  chairman,  James  M.  Porter,  Esq.,  the  decision  of  the 
question  as  to  the  tax-levy  was  deferred  for  one  week,  when  the  same  should  be  decided 
by  ballot.  By  a  determined  effort,  the  friends  of  the  public  schools  succeeded  in  obtain- 
ing a  majority  of  votes  in  favor  of  an  additional  tax  of  $3000.  This  vigorous  demonstra- 
tion, in  behalf  of  popular  education,  had  the  eflTecil  to  disarm,  if  it  did  not  entirely  subdue 
the  antagonism  arrayed  against  the  common  schools. 

PUBLIC   SCHOOLS    FROM    1834   TO    1854. 

The  period  covering  the  first  twenty  years  of  common  school  history,  so  far  as  the 
same  relates  to  the  borough  of  Easton,  is  not  marked  by  anything  special  in  the  way  of 
scholastic  results.  The  condition  of  the  schools,  during  this  period,  may  be  noted  as 
follows : 

First,  as  to  School  Accommodations. — During  this  period,  no  portion  of  the  public 
school  fund  was  expended  in  the  erecftion  of  school-houses.     The  only  building  originally 


382  THE   HISTORY  OF 

designed  for  general  school  nse,  and  that  was  available  for  the  purposes  of  the  board,  was 
the  old  Union  Academy. 

The  charter  of  the  trustees  of  the  academy  having  become  vitiated,  by  reason  of  their 
negletl  in  maintaining  an  organization,  the  real  estate  in  their  possession  was  vested,  by 
an  acl  of  Assembly,  passed  April  14,  1835,  in  the  corporation  of  the  borough  of  Easton, 
and,  by  a  subsequent  acl  of  Assembly,  passed  April  10,  1848,  the  same  was  vested  in  the 
school  direcflors  of  the  borough  of  Easton. 

The  other  school-rooms  in  use,  during  the  first  five  years,  were  such  only  as  could  be 
obtained  in  private  residences.  These  were  ill-adapted  to  school  purposes  in  size,  ventila- 
tion, and  surroundings.  The  latter  were  superseded,  in  time,  by  rooms  secured  in  the 
basements  of  the  several  churches  of  the  town.  In  1848-49,  the  two  frame  buildings, 
erected  on  the  academy  grounds,  by  the  "Easton  Fencibles"  and  "National  Guards,"  for 
purposes  of  military  drill,  were  purchased  by  the  Board  of  Direftors,  and  converted  into 
school-rooms. 

The  school  furniture  was  in  accord  with  the  rooms  in  which  it  was  located  ;  was  of 
ancient  pattern,  and  exceedingly  uncomfortable,  if  not  positively  injurious.  As  to  appa- 
ratus, there  was  none  worth  mentioning. 

Second,  as  to  the  Teachers. — The  number  of  different  teachers  employed  by  the  School 
Board,  during  the  period  under  consideration,  was  about  one  hundred  and  sixty,  and  of 
this  number  fifty  were  males.  Of  these  there  were  but  few,  comparatively,  who  had 
entered  upon  the  work  of  teaching  with  the  view  of  making  it  a  permanent  business. 
The  successive  corps  of  teachers  consisted  chiefly  of  such  as  sought  employment  in  the 
schools,  merely  to  eke  out  a  livelihood,  until  an  opportunity  was  afforded  for  a  more 
genial  and  lucrative  engagement.  There  were  some,  however,  whose  continuous  service 
in  the  distri(fl  gave  proof  of  the  board's  confidence,  and  the  appreciation  of  the  public. 
The  examination  of  teachers  was  condu<fted  by  the  Board  of  Dire(flors,  or  some  one  deputed 
for  the  purpose  ;  was  exceedingly  formal,  and  superficial,  that  but  few,  if  any,  of  the 
applicants  were  ever  convi6led  of  incompetency.  The  teachers  were  employed  generally 
on  the  grounds  of  favoritism,  or  on  the  principle  of  alms-giving,  rather  than  that  of 
qualification. 

Third,  as  to  the  School  Term. — The  average  annual  school  term,  for  the  period  named, 
did  not  probably  exceed  six  months.  During  the  first  few  years,  the  time  of  opening  the 
schools  each  year,  as  well  as  their  continuance,  was  a  matter  of  contingency,  dependent 
on  the  amount  of  school  funds  at  the  command  of  the  board.  As  soon  as  the  revenue  of 
the  distridl  could  be  determined  with  some  degree  of  certainty,  the  beginning  and  dura- 
tion of  the  annual  term  was  definitely  fixed,  the  term  having  been  gradually  extended,  as 
the  resources  of  the  board  increased. 

Fourth,  as  to  the  School  Work. — Nothing  beyond  instrudlion  in  the  simple  rudiments 
of  the  ordinary  English  branches  was  attempted,  prior  to  the  year  1850.  The  advanced 
educational  work  of  the  town  was  done  by  private  schools,  which  were  largely  patronized. 
In  1849,  fifteen  years  after  the  public  schools  were  instituted,  there  were  but  seven  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  pupils  enrolled  in  the  distriti  schools,  and  these  consisted  princi- 
pally of  very  young  children,  and  those  of  more  advanced  age,  whose  parents  were  unable 
to  bear  the  expense  of  private  tuition.  A  majority  of  those  elected  to  the  office  of  school 
director,  gave  their  patronage,  and,  as  a  consequence,  their  sympathy  to  private  schools. 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A.  383 

Their  legislation,  therefore,  in  behalf  of  the  public  schools,  though  stridlly  conforming 
to  the  requirements  of  the  law,  had  not  the  incentives,  which  dire6l  personal  interest 
would  be  likely  to  beget  for  elevating  the  common  schools  to  the  highest  possible  standard 
of  excellence. 

The  schools  were  annually  set  in  motion,  and  allowed  to  run  at  random.  There  was 
no  adjustment  of  machinery,  nor  harmony  in  the  management  or  effort,  that  seemed 
to  indicate  in  the  least  that  anything  definite,  by  way  of  result,  was  aimed  at  or  de- 
sired. There  was  no  coherence  in  the  several  schools  of  the  district.  Each  school  was 
organized,  taught,  and  governed  independently  of  the  others.  There  was  no  graduation 
of  schools,  nor  adjustment  of  classes  ;  no  established  curriculum,  and  no  uniformity  of 
text-books. 

The  methods  of  instru(?tion  were  left  to  the  option  of  the  teachers,  and  evinced  great 
disparity  of  aim  and  process.  The  course  pursued  by  many  of  the  teachers  was  the  result 
of  accident,  rather  than  the  work  of  design.  In  general,  the  instru6lion  of  the  schools 
was  conducted  on  no  settled  principle,  and  the  methods  pursued  were  destitute  of  many 
of  the  traits  essential  to  an  intelligent  and  well-devised  plan. 

This  condition  of  the  schools  remained  undisturbed  until  the  year  1850,  when  adlive 
measures  were  instituted,  with  the  view  of  elevating  the  common  schools  to  a  position  of 
usefulness  and  respeftability.  The  schools  were  partially  reorganized  and  classified,  so  as 
to  approximate  somewhat  a  graded  system.  The  course  of  study  was  reconstrudled,  and 
provisions  made  for  instru6lion  in  the  higher  branches  of  learning.  In  furtherance  of  the 
proposed  plan,  the  organization  of  a  high  school  was  proje<5led,  and  authority  for  its  estab- 
lishment in  the  distri6l  was  obtained,  through  an  acft  of  the  Legislature,  passed  April 
2,  1850. 

The  reform,  thus  set  in  motion,  was  due  mainly  to  the  influence  of  the  late  Hon. 
Washington  McCartney.  No  man  in  this  community  has  been  more  closely  identified 
with  the  public  schools  of  this  borough,  and  no  one  has  left  a  more  distinct  impress  of 
himself  and  his  work.  At  the  very  start  of  the  system,  he  became  its  earnest,  eloquent, 
and  efficient  advocate ;  and,  by  the  suffrages  of  his  fellow-citizens,  having  been  appointed 
to  the  position  of  school  director,  he  labored  assiduously,  intelligently,  and  successfully, 
in  laying  a  good  and  strong  foundation,  upon  which  there  has  been  eredled  a  beautiful  and 
durable  structure. 

Scholarly  as  he  was,  and  impelled,  by  his  tastes  and  professional  duties,  to  husband 
his  time  for  private  and  individual  engagements  and  aims,  he,  nevertheless,  gave  himself 
up  to  unusual  exadlions  of  labor  and  sacrifice,  in  behalf  of  the  educational  interests  of  the 
town.  In  this  respecft,  he  was  an  exception  to  the  majority  of  educators  connedled  with 
colleges  and  higher  institutions  of  learning.  They  are  willing  to  approve,  and  suggest, 
and  patronize,  but  seldom  do  they  co-operate  by  definite  adlion.  He  subordinated  all  his 
acquisitions,  and  his  love  of  study,  to  the  purpose  of  improving  the  facilities  for  a  more 
general  education  of  the  whole  people. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  his  name  will  ever  remain  fragrant  in  the  memory  of  the 
patrons,  teachers,  and  pupils  of  our  schools ;  and,  that  whatever  improvement  may  have 
been  made  by  the  wisdom  and  labor  of  other  men,  and  whatever  of  future  excellence  may 
still  be  reached  in  the  future,  it  may  never  be  forgotten,  that  Washington  McCartney  was 


384  THE  HISTORY  OF 

the  impelling  power,  whose  influence  will  be  seen  and  felt  by  all  who  are  acquainted  with 
the  history  and  growth  of  our  public  schools. 

The  results  of  the  first  year's  experience  in  school  reform  were  gratifying  to  the 
friends  of  popular  education.  The  spirit  exhibited  in  the  internal  progress  of  the  schools, 
was  alike  visible  in  the  improvement  and  adornment  of  buildings  and  grounds.  The 
academy  building  was  thoroughly  renovated,  and  the  school-rooms  supplied  with  furni- 
ture, which,  though  not  the  most  convenient,  was,  nevertheless,  a  decided  improvement 
on  that  which  had  been  displaced. 

The  ladies  of  the  town  assumed  the  responsibility  of  beautifying  the  grounds  sur- 
rounding the  academy.  In  1851,  they  held  a  fair  with  a  view  of  securing  funds  for  the 
undertaking,  and  succeeded  in  securing  a  liberal  sum,  which  they  applied  to  the  improv- 
ing and  ornamenting,  with  terraces  and  shade  trees,  the  hill  on  which  the  academy  is 
located.  The  present  beautiful  and  picturesque  surroundings  of  the  old  and  time-honored 
academy,  stand  as  a  perpetual  memorial  of  the  industry,  taste,  and  zeal  of  those  by  whose 
voluntary  effort  the  school  grounds  of  the  Second  Ward  are  rendered  so  pleasing  and 
attra<ftive. 

In  1853,  the  condition  of  the  public  schools,  though  susceptible  of  radical  amend- 
ment, was  far  in  advance  of  anything  hitherto  attempted  or  attained  in  the  Easton  district. 
Notwithstanding  their  improvement  and  increased  facilities  for  educational  work,  they 
failed  to  secure  either  sympathy  or  encouragement  from  very  many  of  the  prominent  and 
influential  citizens  of  the  town.  This  was  owing  partly  to  prejudice,  and  partly  to  the 
fa6l,  that  private  schools  furnished  a  more  thorough  and  elevated  course  of  instruftion, 
than  the  limited  provisions  of  the  public  schools  would  admit. 

At  this  time,  there  was  a  number  of  efficient  and  well  sustained  private  schools  in 
the  place.  Of  these,  the  most  prominent  were  the  classical  schools,  designed  exclusively 
for  the  education  of  boys  and  young  men,  taught  respe6lively  by  Dr.  Vanderveer  (who 
was  succeeded  in  1854  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Apple),  Messrs.  Wood  and  Mr.  Reuteneck, 
and  the  young  ladies'  school,  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Spring  Garden  streets,  of  which 
Mr.  Cann  was  principal. 

THE    FEMALE   SEMINARY. 

The  Female  Seminary  was  established  in  1841,  under  a  charter  of  incorporation,  granted 
by  the  Legislature  in  1838.  The  original  corporators  of  this  institution  were  the  Rev. 
John  Gray,  D.  D.,  Jacob  Wagener,  Dr.  Joseph  K.  Swift,  John  Stewart,  Rev.  John  P. 
Hecht,  Peter  S.  Michler,  and  Rev.  B.  C.  Wolf.  In  1839  the  Hon.  James  M.  Porter  became 
a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  officiated  as  secretary  of  the  same  during  the  entire 
period  of  the  seminary's  existence.  He  was  the  most  aftive  and  efficient  member  of  the 
board,  and  gave  valuable  aid  in  establishing  and  furthering  the  designs  of  the  institution. 

The  seminary  was  conducfted  in  the  basement  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  until  the  year 
1845,  when  the  school  was  transferred  to  the  building  ere6ted  by  the  trustees,  on  the  lot 
in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  academy  grounds.  The  lot,  on  which  the  building  was 
located,  was  granted  by  an  a(5t  of  the  corporation  of  the  borough  of  Easton,  dated  August 
31,  1841.  By  this  ac!;!,  the  trustees  were  authorized  to  use  and  occupy  the  said  lot,  and  to 
ere<5l  thereon  a  building  to  be  used  as  a  female  seminary  ;  and,  were  to  continue  in  the 
enjoyment  of  their  right  to  the  same,  so  long  as  the  said  building  and  grounds  should  be 
engaged  in  the  interest  of  a  female  seminary. 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A.  385 

The  average  number  of  pupils  in  annual  attendance  at  the  seminary  did  not  exceed 
sixty-five.  The  successive  principals  who  had  charge  of  this  institution  were  Robert 
Phipps,  Theron  H.  Hawks,  David  Moore,  Amandus  Barker,  C.  F.  Thurston,  and  E. 
Dean  Dow. 

Mr.  Dow,  having  established  the  Opheleton  Seminary,  in  a  building  ere(5led  for  the 
purpose,  on  South  Sixth  street,  transferred  thither  the  pupils  of  the  "Female  Seminary," 
and  vacated  the  premises  on  Second  steeet.  The  building  eredled  by  the  trustees,  having 
fallen  into  disuse  as  a  female  seminary,  and,  in  consequence  thereof,  the  claims  of  the 
trustees  to  the  property  having  been  invalidated,  the  school  direcftors,  in  1853,  took  posses- 
sion of  the  building  and  lot,  and  applied  the  same  to  the  use  of  the  public  schools. 

PUBUC  SCHOOLS   FROM    1854   TO    1877. 

The  school  system  pursued  at  present  in  the  borough  of  Easton,  was  adopted  and 
went  into  operation  in  September,  1854.  The  year  immediately  preceding  its  adoption 
was  noted  for  the  clamor  and  opposition  excited  in  the  town  against  the  then  existing 
school  management.  The  vacillating  policy  pursued  in  the  general  administration  of  the 
schools  disclosed  the  facft  that  the  system  was  guided  by  caprice,  rather  than  by  settled 
principle.  The  legitimate  work  of  the  school-room  was  frequently  set  aside,  to  give  place 
to  preparations  for  mere  entertainment  or  public  display.  These  and  similar  expedients 
were  employed  as  palliatives  of  public  discontent,  and  as  such  were  made  minister  to 
official  interest,  and  eclat,  rather  than  to  the  good  of  the  schools.  But  the  administra- 
tion of  the  schools  having  been  publicly  ventilated,  the  people  became  cognizant  of  their 
true  condition,  and  applied  the  proper  remedy. 

The  schools  opened  in  the  fall  of  1853,  under  very  unfavorable  auspices.  There  was 
a  want  of  harmony  in  the  elements  composing  the  school  board.  Its  counsels  were  fre- 
quently distra(fled  by  discord.  The  members,  being  equally  and  rigidly  divided  on  the 
question  of  school  management,  failed  to  agree  on  any  fixed  policy,  and,  as  a  consequence, 
the  order  and  classification  of  the  schools  were  seriously  deranged.  In  the  absence  of  any 
provisions  made  by  the  board  for  their  adjustment,  the  schools  were  committed  to  the  care 
and  disposal  of  the  superintendent. 

On  the  25th  of  January,  1854,  the  Superintendent,  in  his  report  of  the  schools,  sug- 
gested a  plan  for  a  High  School,  and  the  systematic  arrangement  of  the  subordinate 
schools,  together  with  a  complete  and  comprehensive  course  of  study  adjusted  to,  and  in 
fulfillment  of,  the  proposed  scheme. 

The  plan  was  submitted  and  unanimously  adopted,  and  the  Superintendent  was 
directed  to  mature  arrangements  for  its  introdudlion  at  the  opening  of  the  next  school 
term  in  September.  In  pursuance  of  the  board's  instru6lions,  the  schools  were  thor- 
oughly examined,  and  each  pupil  was  furnished  with  a  certificate,  indicating  his  standing 
and  the  grade  of  school  to  which  he  should  be  admitted  at  the  opening  of  the  next  term. 
This  was  the  first  and  only  complete  examination,  to  which  the  schools  of  the  district  had 
been  subjedled,  since  the  organization  of  the  common  schools. 

The  board  also  authorized  the  publication  of  a  catalogue,  or  rather  prospedlus,  of  the 
High  School,  in  order  that  the  public  might  be  apprised,  not  only  of  the  design  of  this 
institution,  but  of  the  scope  and  intent  of  the  proposed  new  school  system.  The  cata- 
logue was  issued  in  June,  1854,  and  a  copy  furnished  to  each  family  in  the  distri6l. 


386  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  catalogue  recited  the  following  particulars,  which  are  here  given  in  brief : 

1 .  The  Board  of  School  Directors. — Benjamin  F.  Arndt,  president ;  Hon.  Washington 
McCartney,  secretary  ;  Aaron  Seip,  treasurer  ;  John  J.  Horn,  Henry  M.  Mutchler,  Esq., 
Henry  Keller. 

2.  The  Act  of  Assembly,  for  the  Erection  of  a  High  School,  in  the  Borough  of  Easton, 
passed  April  2,  iS^o. — "  Sed;ion  4.  That  the  School  Dire(?tors  of  the  districfl,  composed 
of  the  borough  of  Easton,  be,  and  hereby  are  authorized  to  establish,  under  such  regula- 
tions as  they  may  deem  advisable,  one  High  School,  in  said  distridl,  for  the  complete 
education  of  such  pupils  of  the  public  schools  of  said  distritTi,  as  may  possess  the  requisite 
qualifications,  and  the  moneys  expended  in  the  establishment  and  support  of  said  High 
School,  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury  of  the  common  school  fund  of  said  districft. " 

3.  The  Instructors. — William  W.  Cottingham,  superintendent,  ex-officio  principal  ; 
William  Mutchler,  assistant. 

4.  Terms  of  Admission. — Candidates  were  required  to  be  twelve  years  of  age;  to 
have  passed  at  least  six  months  in  one  of  the  public  schools  of  Easton,  and  to  show,  on 
examination,  that  they  are  able  to  read,  write,  and  spell  corre6lly,  and  that  they  possess  a 
competent  knowledge  of  grammar,  geography,  and  arithmetic.  No  candidate  was  to  be 
admitted  to  the  examinations  without  having  previously  presented  a  certificate,  signed  by 
a  teacher  and  one  of  the  direcftors  of  the  public  schools,  stating  the  age  of  the  applicant 
and  the  length  of  time  spent  in  the  distri<5l  schools. 

The  examinations  were  to  be  condudled  by  the  instrucftors  of  the  High  School,  and 
a  committee  of  the  Board  of  Diredlors,  etc.,  etc.  Qualification  was  the  only  passport  to 
be  demanded,  so  that  the  youth  in  moderate  or  indigent  circumstances,  had  guaranteed  to 
him  the  same  privileges  and  opportunities  that  were  afforded  to  those  of  a  better  pecu- 
niary condition. 

5.  Course  of  Instruction. — The  curriculum  covered  a  four  years'  course  of  study,  and 
was  complete  in  its  provisions  for  all  the  requirements  of  a  practical  education,  as  well  as 
for  a  thorough  preparation  for  college. 

6.  The  List  of  Pupils. — There  were  twenty-six  pupils  in  attendance  at  the  school. 
These  were  not  regularly  classed  as  High  School  students,  but  were  admitted  only  as 
members  in  course  of  preparation  for  High  School  standing. 

7.  Examinations. — All  the  classes  were  to  be  thoroughly  examined  at  the  close  of 
each  term,  in  the  presence  of  the  instrucftors,  the  Board  of  Direclors,  and  such  citizens  as  may 
choose  to  attend.     Public  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  the  examination  was  to  be  given. 

As  the  regular  course  of  the  High  School  was  not  to  commence  until  the  first  Mon- 
day of  September,  following,  an  examination  of  candidates  to  form  the  first,  or  initial, 
class  of  the  High  School,  was  directed  to  be  held  June  30,  1854. 

8.  Terms  and  Vacations. — The  High  School  year  was  to  be  divided  into  two  terms  of 
five  months  each — the  first  term  extending  from  September  i  to  February  i,  and  the  second 
term  from  March  i  to  August  i — the  months  intervening  between  the  terms  being  set 
apart  as  vacations. 

9.  Public  Exercises. — It  was  designed  to  have  a  public  exhibition  of  the  class  that 
completed  the  four  years'  course.  This  was  to  occur  at  the  close  of  the  second  term.  On 
this  occasion,  the  graduating  class  was  expedled  to  read  essays,  or  deliver  orations,  of  their 
own  composition. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


387 


10.  Govenimenf. — It  was  intended  that  the  government  of  this  school  should  be  con- 
duced on  the  principle  of  parental  influence,  and  that  pupils  should  be  diligently  instructed 
to  govern  themselves.  Appeals  to  the  sense  of  right,  of  honor,  of  manly  condu(ft,  and, 
generally,  to  the  motives  nearest  of  kin  to  those  that  ought  to  regulate  the  maturer  life  of 
the  student,  were  to  be  the  prominent  agency  of  school  discipline. 

11.  Address  to  the  Public— '^x\\X&n  by  Edward  F.  Stewart,  Esq.,  a  member  of  the 
School  Board,  and  appended  to  the  catalogue. 

The  design  of  this  school,  is,  doubtless,  familiar  to  the  public.  Its  anticipated  estab- 
lishment has  led  to  an  interchange  of  opinion,  as  to  its  practicability,  and  has  elicited 


EASTON   SCENERY — CIRCLE    AND    KOUN 


information  in  reference  to  the  operation  of  similar  institutions  elsewhere.  It  is  not  our 
purpose  to  discuss  elaborately  any  of  the  questions  growing  out  of  this  enterprise.  High 
schools  have  a  history  to  which  we  refer  all  doubters  as  to  their  utility.  We  shall,  there- 
fore, assume  that  all  who  have  examined,  with  any  minuteness,  the  field  of  educational 
labor  within  our  borough,  admit  the  propriety  of  the  proje(?t,  and  shall  briefly  set  forth  its 
design  and  the  scope  of  its  operations,  expelling  that  such  an  exposition  of  its  advantages 
will  secure  for  it  the  public  favor  and  patronage  that  its  merits  demand. 

This  school  is  to  be  the  converging  point  of  all  the  previous  instrucflion  in  the  other 
public  schools.     Without  it,  the  public  school  system  would  be  incomplete,  not  affording 


388  THE  HISTORY  OF 

all  the  advantages  of  a  thorough  education.  It  is  the  purpose  of  the  directors  to  combine 
in  this  school  all  the  facilities  for  acquiring  a  complete  education  ;  such  a  training  as  will 
qualify  the  pupils  for  any  of  the  trades,  or  ordinary  industrial  occupations  of  life,  and  such 
a  discipline  as  will  prepare  for  the  prosecution  of  professional  studies.  Hitherto,  private 
schools  have  been  looked  to,  exclusively,  for  instruction  in  the  higher  branches  of  an  edu- 
cation. Our  common  schools  have  seldom  aspired  to  teach  other  than  the  primary  or  ele- 
mentary branches.  Now,  however,  since  the  system  has  been  more  fully  developed,  and 
its  defects  obviated,  it  can  be  successfully  applied  to  a  wider  sphere  of  educational  labor. 
And  we  know  of  no  field  so  inviting  as  that  of  our  own  borough.  Here  a  most  admirable 
opportunity  is  afforded  for  the  experiment,  additional  to  trials  made  elsewhere,  of  its 
enlarged  efficiency  and  usefulness.  We  have  a  large  number  of  pupils  who  are,  year  by 
year,  advancing  in  their  attainments,  as  they  pass  from  one  to  another  of  the  ascending 
series  of  schools.  With  the  preparatory  teaching  already  given,  a  sufficiently  large  ele- 
ment is  in  readiness  as  a  nucleus  for  a  High  School. 

An  examination  of  the  studies,  systematized  progressively  in  reference  to  the  advance- 
ment of  the  pupil,  will  convince  any  one  of  its  substantial  advantages.  This  school  will 
afford  all  the  inducements  for  parents  that  our  most  deserving  pri\-ate  institutions  can 
offer.  Why  should  it  not?  There  is  nothing  inherently  superficial  in  the  public  school 
system.  That  it  has  not  hitherto  been  adapted  to  all  the  educational  needs  of  all  classes 
of  society,  was  not  because  of  intrinsic  inefficiency,  but  rather  because  there  was  no 
demand  for  wider  and  higher  culture.  It  has  been  taken  for  granted,  that  an  education, 
designed  to  extend  beyond  the  rudiments,  must  be  acquired  in  private  establishments. 
Hence,  our  public  schools,  in  some  places,  have  degenerated  into  infant  nurseries,  where 
amusement,  rather  than  instru(?tion,  was  to  be  imparted. 

It  has  been  considered  one  of  the  necessary  results  of  our  social  system,  that  the  pos- 
session or  want  of  wealth  must  distribute  the  children  of  a  community  into  separate 
schools.  Thus  a  healthful  moral  influence  has  been  checked,  and  hence  our  public  schools 
have  been  shorn  of  their  legitimate  power  by  this  social  ban.  The  educated  and  influen- 
tial portion  of  the  community  have  felt  no  personal  interest  in  the  welfare  of  these  schools. 
Their  sympathies  attach  themselves  to  private  schools,  where  their  children  are  educated. 
But  indifference  has  not  been  the  worst  evil.  The  injury  has  not  only  been  negative. 
Positive  hostility  has,  not  unfrequently,  been  stimulated  by  the  tax-gatherer,  and  thus  the 
efficiency  of  the.se  schools,  even  for  the  poorer  classes,  has  been  crippled.  The  cry  of 
oppressive  taxation  has  always  measurably  deterred  our  .school  directors  from  making  that 
liberal  provision,  which  aa  ignorant  and  straitened  portion  of  our  population  demanded. 

But  a  new  era  has  dawned  on  this  great  public  interest.  Education,  however 
important  as  a  personal  concern,  has  wider  relations.  It  is  the  great  problem  presented 
to  communities  of  men.  On  its  solution  depends  their  weal  or  woe.  All  the  social,  civil, 
and  religious  interests  of  States  and  nations  are  included  in  the  question.  The  people  are 
now  beginning  to  look  at  the  subjetl  in  a  proper  light.  One  of  the  most  auspicious  "signs 
of  the  times,"  is  the  awakening  attention  given  to  the  necessity  of  a  wider  diffusion  of 
thorough  education.  All  classes  of  society  are  beginning  to  feel,  that  it  is  their  privilege 
and  duty  to  enjoy  a  wider  educational  horizon.  The  common  mind  is  becoming  inquisi- 
tive. The  struggles  of  the  age  are  leading  men  into  an  examination  of  the  foundation  of 
rights  and  duties.     The  domains  of  science,  philo.sophy,  and  polite  literature  hitherto  pro- 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  389 

hibited  territory  to  the  industrial  classes,  now  invite  the  children  of  toil  to  their  elevating 
pleasures  and  ample  rewards.  Labor  and  science  have  joined  hands.  The  school-house 
has  become  the  college.  The  children  of  the  day  laborer  are  now  stimulated  by  competi- 
tion with  the  rich  man's  sons,  and  may  look  forward  to  attainments,  the  result  of  patient 
study,  equal  in  value  and  extent  to  the  acquisitions  of  the  most  favored  sons  of  wealth. 
This  is  republicanism  practicalized.  It  is  equality  applied  to  one  of  the  vital  interests  of 
the  State.  It  is  the  true  philosophy  of  progress.  It  is  the  only  process  by  which  the 
ignorant  and  indigent  can  be  brought  into  the  necessary  conditions  of  equalit}-.  While  it 
leavens  the  masses,  it  condemns,  as  chimerical  and  wicked,  those  schemes  that  would 
bring  down  all  gentility,  intelligence,  and  social  refinement  to  the  dead  level  of  an  agrarian 
barbarism. 

The  citizens  of  our  borough  have  an  interest  in  the  establishment  of  this  school.  It 
is  a  local  enterprise,  with  legitimate  claims.  Here  are  afforded  all  the  advantages  of  a 
complete  education.  Nothing  that  has  been  considered  disciplinary  by  the  most  compe- 
tent instru<?lors,  has  been  omitted  in  its  course  of  study.  The  aim,  in  arranging  the  course, 
has  been  not  so  much  to  impart  information,  as  to  develop  the  mental  powers,  and  to  ex- 
cite a  love  of  study.  These  two  objedls  once  gained,  the  pupil  is  prepared,  after  having 
completed  the  entire  course  of  the  institution,  to  give  specific  diredlon  of  his  mind  to  a 
pursuit  for  life.  It  is  hoped  by  the  dire6tors,  that  as  the  projecft  is  a  public  interest,  so  it 
will  elicit  popular  favor.  It  cannot  succeed,  unless  adlive  support  is  afforded.  While 
moral  contagion  is  a  proper  subjedl  for  parental  solicitude  yet  it  is  thought,  that  the  dan- 
ger from  this  source  has  been  greatly  exaggerated.  Under  the  control  of  a  watchful  dis- 
cipline, the  intermingling  of  the  extreme  elements  of  society,  may  be  made  a  powerful 
agent  of  social  regeneration.  Let  our  citizens  lay  to  heart  these  considerations,  and  let 
our  tax  payers  now  embrace  the  opportunity  of  receiving  an  ample  equivalent  for  their 
school  tithes. 

INAUGURATION   OF   THE   PRESENT  SCHOOL  SYSTEM. 

On  the  first  Monday  in  September,  1854,  the  new  school  system  was  regularly  and  suc- 
cessfully inaugurated,  which  marks  the  beginning  of  a  career  that  has  rendered  the  schools 
of  Easton  illustrious,  and  makes  them  a  fair  exponent  of  the  possible  excellence  attainable 
by  a  system  of  common  schools. 

The  prominent  fadls,  descriptive  of  the  present  system,  may  be  noted  as  follows  : 

I.       THE    DISTRIBUTION    AND   GRADATION    OF   SCHOOLS. 

The  borough  of  Easton  constitutes  but  one  school  district,  divided  into  three  school 
sections.  The  municipal  division  of  the  town  into  three  wards,  immediately  after  the 
adoption  of  the  system,  stimulated  efforts  in  the  direcflion  of  ward  enterprise,  which  man- 
ifested itself  in  the  location  and  eredlion  of  school  houses,  to  suit  the  wants  and  convenience, 
of  the  respedlive  wards.  The  educational  work  was  thus  distributed,  and  gave  rise  to  the 
present  division  of  the  districfl  into  three  school  se6lions.  Each  sedlion  has  its  comple- 
ment of  schools,  corresponding  in  grade,  classification,  and  work.  These  sections  though 
independent  of  each  other,  sustain  a  common  relation  to  the  high  school,  as  the  converg- 
ing point  of  all  instrudlion  furnished  by  the  subordinate  schools.  The  gradation  and  clas- 
sification of  the  schools  are  adjusted,  so  as  to  enable  the  pupil  to  advance,  by  a  succession 
of  easy  and  progressive  steps,  from  the  primary  to  the  high  school. 


390  THE  HISTORY  OF 

THE    HIGH   SCHOOL. 

The  present  High  School  originated  with  the  school  system,  that  went  into  operation 
in  September,  1854.  The  question,  as  to  the  establishment  of  an  institution  of  the  kind 
in  this  districl,  was  first  agitated  in  1850,  when  the  act  of  Assembly,  already  referred  to, 
was  passed,  authorizing  its  erection.  The  Board  of  Directors,  however,  took  no  action  in 
the  matter  until  April,  1852,  when  Washington  McCartney  and  Charles  Innes  were  con- 
stituted a  committee,  to  report  a  plan  for  the  organization  of  a  High  School.  This  com- 
mittee, however,  did  not  report  until  February,  1853,  when  a  plan  was  submitted  and 
adopted,  but,  for  some  reason,  the  same  was  not  put  in  operation.  In  March,  1853,  the 
school  directors  took  possession  of  the  female  seminary  building,  and  resolved  to  establish 
therein  a  High  School.  In  the  following  month,  the  school  was  organized,  but  in  con- 
formity with  no  specific  plan,  and  consisted  of  twenty-six  pupils,  who,  having  been  drafted 
indiscriminately  from  the  other  schools,  were  classified  according  to  age  or  size,  rather 
than  scholastic  attainments. 

This  school,  though  possessing  none  of  the  characteristics  of  a  High  School,  never- 
theless continued  its  existence  as  such,  nominally,  for  a  period  of  one  year.  The  pupils 
had  not  the  training  necessary  for  their  entrance  upon  an  advanced  course  of  study,  hence 
the  entire  year  was  devoted  to  their  preparation  for  High  School  standing.  At  the  close  of 
the  year,  seventeen  of  the  pupils,  having  sustained  a  satisfactory  examination,  were  admitted 
to  the  High  School,  and  formed  the  first  class  of  the  school  under  its  present  organization. 

The  first  Freshman  Class  of  the  High  School,  of  which  Mr.  R.  L.  D.  Potter  was  the 
teacher,  was  composed  of  the  following  students  :  Herman  Alsover,  Jabez  Alsover,  Charles 
Bishop,  Henry  H.  McNeal,  Joseph  S.  Osterstock,  Solon  C.  Phillippe,  Henry  H.  Oberly, 
John  F.  Reichard,  John  Patton,  Thomas  Rinek,  Philip  Schlough,  Joseph  G.  Semple, 
John  A.  Shawde,  William  H.  Sigman,  Albert  N.  Seip,  Albert  Senseman,  David  H.  Young. 

This  institution  grew  in  popularity  as  its  advantages  became  known.  It  afforded 
facilities  for  educational  training,  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  those  furnished  by  the  best 
conducted  private  institutions.  The  discovery  of  this  fa6l  had  the  effedl  to  diminish  the 
patronage  of  private  schools,  to  such  an  extent,  that  many  of  them  were  discontinued  for 
want  of  support. 

The  male  department  of  the  High  School  having  been  firmly  established,  the  neces- 
sary steps  were  taken  for  the  organization  of  a  female  department  of  the  same  school. 
This  was  accomplished,  and  the  female  department  went  into  operation,  in  February, 
1857,  with  a  class  consisting  of  twenty-nine  young  ladies,  under  the  tutorage  of  Mr.  Seth 
I.  Tharp.  These  departments  were  independent  of  each  other  in  government  and  instruc- 
tion. Though  the  same  building  was  used  by  both  departments,  the  sexes  were  separated, 
and,  respectively,  occupied  distintl  apartments,  for  study  and  recitation. 

Pupils  are  admitted  to  this  school  on  a  special  examination,  the  supply  being  fur- 
nished by  a  requisition  on  tiie  first  grades  of  the  grammar  schools.  Pupils,  residing  with- 
out the  boundaries  of  the  district,  who  possess  the  requisite  qualification,  have  access  to 
this  school,  upon  tiie  payment  of  a  tuition  fee. 

The  present  academic  year  of  this  school  is  divided  into  two  terms,  of  five  months 
each,  with  no  intermission  between  the  terms.  All  the  classes  undergo  an  examination 
at  the  close  of  each  term.  The  promotion  of  pupils  is  made  at  the  annual  examination, 
which  occurs  at  the  close  of  the  second  term. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  391 

The  annual  High  School  commencement  takes  place  immediately  at  the  close  of  the 
school  year.  The  exercises  consist  of  orations,  by  the  gentlemen,  and  essays,  by  the 
ladies,  of  the  graduating  class.  On  this  occasion,  each  of  the  graduates  is  presented  with 
a  diploma,  as  a  testimonial  of  approved  scholastic  merit.  In  1857,  ^^^  graduating  class 
consisted  of  but  two  members ;  now  the  classes  have  grown  so  large,  as  to  necessitate  the 
restridlion  of  the  number  of  graduating  performers  to  a  mere  representation  from  each 
department. 

A  matter  of  no  little  importance,  is  the  friendly  and  sympathetic  attitude  of  Lafayette 
College.  This  institution  has  generously  joined  hands  with  the  Common  School.  In  it 
she  recognizes  a  power,  for  the  more  perfedl  development  of  which  she  magnanimously 
proffers  her  influence.  Her  Board  of  Trustees,  in  1868,  unanimously  appropriated  four 
permanent  scholarships  for  the  use  of  the  High  School,  with  the  design,  that  the  benefit 
of  each  scholarship  should  be  presented,  as  a  reward  of  merit,  to  the  male  graduate  who 
maintains  the  highest  average  grade  of  scholarship.  The  arrangements  are  such  as  to 
secure  the  presentation  of  one  scholarship  each  year,  thus  affording  the  pupil,  as  an  incen- 
tive to  application,  a  full  and  complete  college  course  of  education,  free  of  expense.  The 
formal  presentation  of  the  scholarship  certificate  is  made  a  part  of  the  commencement 
exercises,  and  adds  much  to  the  interest  of  the  occasion. 

The  High  School  is  the  great  motive  power  of  our  school  machinery.  Its  influence 
permeates  the  entire  school  system,  extending  even  down  to  the  very  lowest  grade  of  the 
primary  department.  In  point  of  efficiency,  this  school  has  been  elevated  to  a  standard 
that  places  it  at  the  threshold  of  the  college.  The  system  of  teaching  reveals  nothing  of 
an  artificial  nature.  There  is  no  waste  of  energy  or  time  in  preparation  for  purposes  of 
mere  display.  All  the  appliances,  employed  in  the  development  of  mind-power,  rest  on 
a  natural  and  philosophic  basis,  consequently  the  work  done  is  solid  and  enduring.  This 
fa6l  is  fully  endorsed  by  the  intellecftual  status  of  those  who  have  already  gone  forth  from 
this  institution,  to  fill  positions  of  honor  and  responsibility.  Moreover,  the  systematic 
and  successful  training  afforded  by  this  school,  is  recognized  by  the  educated  portion  of 
the  community,  whose  appreciation  of  its  advantages  is  shown  by  their  liberal  and  con- 
tinued patronage. 

SYNOPSIS   OF  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL. 
Alale  Department. — Senior  Class,  Junior  Class,  Sophomore  Class,  Freshman  Class. 
Female  Department. — Class  A,  Class  B,  Class  C,  Class  D. 

The  following  list  comprises  the  successive  teachers  of  the  present  High  School : 
MALE   DEPARTMENT. 
Principal  Teachers.  Assistants. 

1854-55 Robert  L-  D.  Potter      

•855-56 Benjamin  F.  Stem R.  L-  D.  Potter. 

1856-57 Robert  F.  Lehman R.  L.  D.  Potter. 

1857-58 H.  M.  Hazeltine Hugh  P.  Marston. 

1858-59 William  H.  Dean Hugh  P.  Marston. 

1859-63 Benjamin  F.  Stem Hugh  P.  Marston. 

1863-65 John  H.  Sykes Hugh  P.  Marston. 

1865-67 Jacob  W.  Weaver Hugh  P.  Marston. 

1867-70 Jacob  W.  Weaver Joseph  Martin. 

1870-72 Robert  E.  James        Joseph  Martin. 

1872-77 Jacob  VV.  Weaver Joseph  Martin. 

'877-79 Jacob  W.  Weaver Joseph  Martin. 

1879-82 Henry  Snyder Joseph  Martin. 


392 


THE  HISTORY  OF 

FEMALE   DEPARTMENT. 

Principal  Teachers.  Assistants. 

1857-5S Sethl.Tharp 

1858-59 Seth  I.  Tharp Mrs.  E.  P.  Johnson. 

1S59-60 J.  R.  Dutton Miss  M.  M.  Shattuck. 

1860-64 William  H.  Stultz "     M.  M.  Shattuck. 

1864-65 Daniel  E.  Schoedler "     M.  M.  Shattuck. 

1865-66 J.  F.  Ernst "     E.  A.  Longstreth. 

1S66-67 William  H.  StulU "     E.  A.  Longstreth. 

1867-77 William  II.  Stultz "     E.  H.  Hoagland. 

1873-77 Assistant  in  Both  Departments "     S.R.Miller. 

1877-82 Assistant  in  Both  Departments "     S.R.Miller. 

1877-81 William  H.  Stultz "     E.  H.  Hoagland. 

1881-82 W.  H.  Harrison "     E.  H.  Hoagland. 

1882-83 Henry  Snyder Joseph  Martin. 

Jacob  Mann. 
Miss  E.  H.  Hoagland. 
"     S.  R.  Miller. 

1S83-85 Henry  Snyder "     M.  E.  Mansfield. 

Joseph  Martin. 
Miss  E.  H.  Hoagland. 

1885-87 Henn,'  Snyder "     M.  E.  Mansfield. 

Joseph  Martin. 
Miss  E.  H.  Hoagland. 
18S7-88 Benjamin  F.  Sandt "     Susan  R.  Miller. 


THE  SUBORDINATE  SCHOOLS. 

The  subordinate  schools,  in  their  general  arrangement,  are  grouped  into  grammar, 
secondary,  and  primary  departments.  These  departments  are  subdivided  into  grades,  to 
promote  an  equitable  and  advantageous  distribution  of  pupils,  and  the  several  grades  of 
the  respe(?tive  departments  are  specifically  classified,  that  the  work  of  instrudlion  may  be 
definitely  applied,  and  successfully  and  economically  carried  on. 

The  course  of  study  has  been  judiciously  selected,  and  graduated  so  as  to  harmonize 
with  the  gradation  and  classification  of  the  schools.  The  te.xt-books  used  in  any  parti- 
cular school  are  uniform  in  all  schools,  of  the  same  grade,  throughout  the  town. 

The  order  and  classification  of  the  subordinate  schools,  as  they  are  now  constituted, 
may  be  synoptically  stated  as  follows : 

I.       GRAMMAR    DEPARTMENT. 

This  department,  in  each  secftion,  comprises  two  divisions  of  equal  grade,  but  sepa- 
rate in  government  and  instrudlion.  The  pupils  are  distributed  according  to  se.x,  the 
males  occupying  one  division,  and  the  females,  the  other.  The  supply  of  pupils  for  this 
department  is  drawn  from  grade  No.  i,  of  the  secondary  department. 

Classification  of  the  Grammar  Sdiools. — Males — Class  No.  i.  Class  No.  2,  Class  No.  3. 
Females — Class  No.  i.  Class  No.  2,  Class  No.  3. 

2.      SECONDARY   DEPARTMENT. 
This  department  is  divided  into  male  and  female  divisions,  each  of  which  comprises 
three  distinct  grades,  numbered  respecftively  i,  2  and  3.      Pupils,  upon  examination,  are 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  393 

advanced  from  No.  3  to  No.  2,  and  thence  to  No.  i,  from  which  they  are  promoted  to  the 
grammar  department. 

Classification  of  the  Secondary  Schools. — Grade  No.  i.  Males — Class  No.  i,  Class 
No.  2.     Grade  No.  i.     Females — Class  No.  i,  Class  No.  2. 

Grade  No.  2.  Males — Class  No.  i,  Class  No.  2.  Grade  No.  2.  Females — Class  No. 
I,  Class  No.  2. 

Grade  No.  3.  Males — Class  No.  i,  Class  No.  2.  Grade  No.  3.  Females — Class  No. 
I,  Class  No.  2. 

3.      PRIMARY   DEPARTMENT. 

The  primary  department  embraces  two  grades,  numbered  respedlively  i  and  2. 
Pupils  of  both  sexes,  on  their  first  admission  to  school,  enter  No.  2.  Upon  the  comple- 
tion of  the  studies  of  this  grade,  they  are  transferred  to  No.  i,  whence,  upon  promotion, 
they  are  admitted  to  grade  No.  3,  of  the  secondary  department,  the  girls  entering  one 
division,  and  the  boys  the  other. 

Classification  of  the  Primary  Schools. — Grade  No.  i.     Class  No.  i,  Class  No.  2. 

Grade  No.  2.     Class  No.  i.  Class  No.  2,  Class  No.  3. 

SCHOOL  HOUSES. 
This  distri(fl,  at  present,  has  an  ample  supply  of  school-houses.  The  nine  buildings, 
now  devoted  to  the  use  of  the  public  schools,  were  originally  built  with  the  design  of 
being  used  as  school  edifices,  and  all  of  them,  save  the  old  academy  and  frame  seminary 
building,  on  Second  street,  were  ere(?ted  by  the  school  directors,  and  at  the  expense  of 
the  distri(ft. 

SIXTH   WARD    ACADEMY. 

Prior  to  the  year  1854,  no  portion  of  the  public  funds,  raised  by  taxation,  had  been 
expended  in  the  building  of  school-houses.  In  1853,  a  lot,  located  at  that  time,  in  the 
extreme  western  part  of  the  town.,  now  the  Sixth  Ward,  was  purchased  of  Mrs.  Eliza  A. 
Wilson,  for  the  sum  of  $2,000  ;  and  the  brick  acadeiny,  ere<fted  thereon,  was  completed  in 
1854,  at  a  cost  of  about  $6,000.  This  academy  is  sixty  feet  front  by  forty  feet  deep,  two 
stories  in  height,  and  contains  eight  school-rooms.  The  original  lot,  having  been  subse- 
quently divided  by  the  opening  of  Seventh  street,  the  western  half  was  retained  for  school 
purposes,  whilst  the  eastern  half  was  divided  into  building  lots  and  sold  for  the  sum  of 
$1,500.  This  sum,  with  the  $500  paid  by  the  county  on  an  award  of  damages,  occasioned 
by  the  opening  of  the  street,  equals  in  amount  the  entire  cost  of  the  original  lots.  The 
present  valuable  school  lot,  on  Seventh  street,  was,  therefore,  secured  without  cost  to  the 
distriifl  ;  and  this  result  is  due  to  the  energy  and  ta(?t  of  Mr.  Aaron  Seip,  who,  at  that 
time,  was  one  of  the  most  efficient  and  progressive  members  of  the  School  Board. 

HIGH   SCHOOL   BUILDING. 

The  eredtion  of  a  High  School  building,  on  the  east  side  of  Second  street,  was  com- 
menced in  1855,  and  completed  and  occupied  in  1856.  It  is  built  of  brick,  and  rough- 
cast ;  is  forty-eight  feet  front  by  seventy-four  feet  deep  ;  three  stories  in  height,  and  con- 
tains ten  school-rooms,  which  are  heated  by  hot-air  furnaces.  This  building,  with  the 
improvement  of  the  adjacent  grounds,  cost  $20,190.98.     The  building,  alone,  cost  about 


394 


THE   HISTORY   OF 


lUILDING.  SITGREAVES    BUILDING.  M  CARTNKV    BUILDING. 

THE  SECOND  WARD  SCHOOL  BUILDINGS,   NORTH  SECOND  STREET. 


$17,000.  This  is  one  of  the  most  siibstautial  and  convenient  school-houses  in  the  district. 
It  was  built  by  Mr.  Charles  Mclntire,  architedl  and  builder,  under  the  direction  and  super- 
vision of  a  building  committee,  consisting  of  Dodlor  Samuel  Sandt,  Edward  F.  Stewart 
and  Aaron  Seip.     It  is  named  McCartney. 

SIXTH    WARD    PRIMARY    HALL. 

In  i860  a  Primary  hall  was  built  on  the  north  end  of  the  Seventh  street  school  lot. 
This  is  a  one-story,  brick  building,  thirty-two  feet  front  by  seventy-two  feet  deep,  contains 
three  school-rooms,  and  was  erected  by  j\Ir.  Levi  Bennet,  contractor  and  builder,  for  the 

sum  of  $1,700. 

FIRST   WARD    BUILDING. 

In  1870  proceedings  were  instituted  that  had  for  their  obje(5t  the  erection  of  a  school- 
house  in  the  First  Ward.  A  lot  250x88  feet  having  been  procured  from  the  Lutheran 
congregation,  at  a  cost  of  $20,250,  the  strudture  was  forthwith  commenced.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  with  imposing  ceremonies,  June  30,  1871,  on  which  occasion  the  Hon.  J. 
P.  Wickersham,  Superintendent  of  Common  Schools,  officiated  as  master  of  ceremonies. 
The  building  was  completed  and  occupied  in  1S73.      This  school-house  covers  an  area  of 


E ASTON.    PENN'A. 


395 


forty-eight  hundred  square  feet,  and  in  appearance  presents  a  magnificence  of  stru6lure 
that  ranks  it  among  the  finest  school  edifices  in  the  State.  It  is  built  of  brown  stone,  with 
trimmings  of  Ohio  white  stone  ;  is  three  stories  in  height,  and  covered  with  Mansard  roof. 
The  first  and  second  stories  each  contain  four  commodious  school-rooms,  with  a  comple- 
ment of  recitation  rooms.  The  third  story  consists  of  two  general  school-rooms  and  three 
recitation  rooms.      The  main  rooms  are  eacli  of  sufficient  size  to  afford  accommodation  for 


THE    TAYLOR    BUILDING,  SOUTH    FOURTH 


one  hundred  and  thirty  pupils.  The  several  rooms  are  provided  with  slate  surface  for 
blackboard  purposes,  which,  in  the  aggregate,  cover  an  area  of  two  thousand  square  feet. 
This  building  is  heated  by  steam,  has  fire  escapes,  and  is  furnished  with  every  conve- 
nience compatible  with  modern  school  improvements.  It  is  beautifully  located  on  South 
Fourth  street,  between  Ferry  and  Spruce,  and  has  elegant  lawns  north  and  south  of  it. 
The  net  cost  of  this  building  was  $96,139.37.     It  is  named  Taylor. 

THIRD   WARD    BUILDING. 

In  1872  the  Board  of  Control  purchased  a  lot  in  the  Third  Ward  as  a  site  for  a  school 
building.  The  erection  of  the  building,  however,  was  delayed  until  1874,  when  the  con- 
tradl  for  the  same  having  been  completed,  the  building  was  proceeded  with,  and  finished 
in  1875.  This  school-house  is  a  substantial  brick  edifice  forty  feet  front  by  fifty-six  feet 
deep;  two  stories  in  height,  and  modeled  after  a  plan  published  in  the  "Pennsylvania 
School  Architedlure. "  It  contains  one  large  school-room,  with  two  recitation  rooms  on 
each  floor,  and  is  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  consolidated  schools.  The  contract  price 
of  this  building  was  $6,935,  but,  in  consequence  of  sundry  neces.sary  additional  expenses, 
its  cost  reached  the  sum  of  $8,650. 


396  THE  HISTORY  OF 

SEVENTH    WARD    BUILDINGS. 

The  citizens  living  in  the  extreme  south-western  limits  of  the  borough,  having 
repeatedly  importuned  the  board  to  furnish  their  children  with  suitable  and  convenient 
school  accommodations,  and  the  Glendon  Iron  Company  having  generously  proffered  a  lot 
at  a  nominal  ground  rent,  as  a  site  for  a  school-house,  the  board  accepted  the  offered  lot, 
and  ereded  thereon  in  1875,  a  neat  frame  school-house.  This  building  is  twenty-five  feet 
front  by  fortA-  feet  deep,  and  one  story  in  height.  It  contains  one  school  room,  with  con- 
venient hat  rooms,  and  is  well  furnished  and  properly  ventilated.     It  cost  $1,329. 

The  next  school-house  ere(?ted  in  this  district  was  commenced  in  1876.  This  building 
is  located  in  the  Seventh  Ward,  at  the  corner  of  Twelfth  and  Ferry  streets,  on  a  lot  pur- 
chased for  the  sum  of  $2,000.  The  building  is  a  brick  struc?ture,  eighty  feet  front  by  fifty 
feet  deep,  and  two  stories  in  height.  The  first  story  is  divided  into  three  school-rooms, 
two  of  which  are  designed  for  one  teacher  each,  and  the  other,  being  a  large  room  with  a 
recitation  room  attached,  is  intended  for  two  teachers.  The  second  storj'  having  been 
arranged  for  the  accommodation  of  two  consolidated  schools,  is  divided  into  two  capacious 
rooms,  with  an  accompanying  recitation  room  for  each.  This  building,  in  stru6lnre, 
finish,  and  convenience  of  arrangement  is  complete,  and  refledls  credit  on  the  builders  and 
the  committee  that  supervised  its  ere6lion.  This  school-house  was  erected  by  a  contradl 
at  a  cost  of  $9,573,  which,  added  to  the  expenses  incurred  by  the  improvement  of  the 
grounds,  makes  the  entire  cost  $12,763.34. 

SCHOOL  SUPERVISION. 

This  distri(ft  was  probably  the  first  in  the  State  to  inaugurate  a  system  of  school  super- 
vision. The  value  and  importance  of  this  feature  of  school  administration,  were  recog- 
nized by  the  school  authorities  of  Easton,  long  before  its  incorporation  into  the  general 
school  system  of  the  State.  In  Easton,  the  borough  superintendency,  as  a  distindl  school 
office,  was  created  and  clothed  with  specific  duties  eleven  years  in  advance  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  county  superintendency,  and  ante-dated  even  the  existence  of  the  State 
superintendency,  as  a  separate  and  distindl  office. 

The  Rev.  John  P.  Hecht,  having  been  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Easton  schools 
in  February,  1843,  was  the  first  to  perform  the  fun<5lions  of  the  newly-created  office.  Mr. 
Hecht  was  a  prominent  clergyman  of  the  town,  and  having  undertaken,  without  compen- 
sation, to  discharge  the  duties  of  school  superintendent,  devoted  as  much  time  to  the 
interests  of  the  schools  as  was  compatible  with  his  clerical  engagements. 

In  August,  1849,  the  Rev.  Oliver  S.  St.  John  was  ele6led  borough  superintendent  at 
a  fixed  salary.  Mr.  St.  John  being  otherwise  disengaged,  gave  his  attention  exclusively 
to  the  duties  of  his  ofllice.  In  addition  to  the  labor  bestowed  on  the  Easton  schools,  he 
devoted  a' limited  portion  of  his  time  to  the  supervision  of  the  South  Easton  schools.  His 
administration  was  reformatory  in  character,  and  was  signalized  as  a  career  of  incessant 
and  arduous  labor.  His  success  was  visible  in  the  hopeful  condition  of  the  schools,  in  the 
healthful  activity  of  pupils  and  teachers,  and  in  the  growth  of  public  interest  in  the  Com- 
mon Schools.  Mr.  St.  John's  official  connection  with  the  schools  of  Easton  continued 
until  August,  1853,  when  the  present  incumbent  was  eledled. 

The  general  results  of  the  present  school  system,  as  portrayed  elsewhere,  by  Edward 
F.  Stewart,  Esq.,  arc  herewith  gi\'cu  in  part  onlv. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  397 

Mr.  Stewart,  having  actively  served  in  the  capacity  of  school  diredlor  for  a  period  of 
twenty  years,  and  having  been  identified  with  all  enterprises  of  an  improving  and  elevating 
tendency,  in  our  school  development,  is  capable  of  furnishing  full  and  reliable  informa- 
tion, touching  the  past  and  present  history  of  our  schools. 

Mr.  Stewart  says  :  "We  note  the  following,  as  some  of  the  fruits  of  the  system  : 

"/.  The  Effect  on  the  Public  Mind. — Public  opinion  has  been  revolutionized.  Ani- 
mosity has,  if  not  wholly  destroyed,  been  allayed.  The  citizens  feel  proud  of  their  educa- 
tional advantages.  The  public  school  is  regarded  as  a  powerful  instrument  in  determining 
the  future  destiny  of  the  borough.  It  no  longer  needs  the  law  alone  for  its  support.  It 
is  upheld  by  the  arms  of  an  intelligent  community.  It  has  the  vigilant  guardianship  of 
an  interested  people.  Hence  the  patronage  is  universal.  Sele(5l  schools  scarcely  exist. 
The  crowd  of  children,  representative  of  every  social  grade,  that  throngs  the  public 
schools  of  this  place,  is  indicative  of  the  confidence  manifested  in  the  system. 

".?.  The  Effect  Upon  the  Teachers. — The  standard  of  teaching  has  been  elevated.  A 
drone  can  get  no  employment  here.  Appointments  are  made  on  the  basis  of  qualification, 
and  not  on  that  of  favoritism  or  poverty.  Self-culture  has  been  thus  promoted.  The 
system  provides  for  the  promotion  of  teachers,  upon  the  condition  of  progress,  as  exhib- 
ited by  increased  efficiency.  The  interest  thus  awakened  in  the  teacher  has  given  life  to 
the  system.  The  zeal  of  the  teacher  has  been  infused  into  his  pupils.  The  culture  of 
the  preceptor  is  shown  in  the  advancement  of  his  scholars. 

"j.  The  Effect  Upon  the  Pupils. — The  principle  of  progression  is  applied,  as  well  to 
the  advancement  of  the  pupils,  as  in  the  promotion  of  teachers.  The  obje(?t  is  to  elicit 
personal  force.  Individuality  of  charadler  is  carefully  studied.  The  great  aim  is  to  train 
each  pupil  for  the  particular  avocation  in  life  to  which  he  seems  adapted." 

*  ********* 

"  The  Public  School  system  has  been  more  fully  developed  since  the  establishment  of 
the  borough  superintendency.  This  is  to  be  accounted  for,  because  of  the  immediate 
intercourse  between  the  superintendent  and  the  teacher.  The  superintendent  can  visit 
the  schools  each  day.  He  can  see  defe6ls,  and  apply  the  necessary  remedy  ;  can  reprove 
the  unfaithful  teacher,  and  counsel  unruly  scholars.  He  can  protedl  the  pupil  from  any 
injustice  on  the  part  of  the  teachers,  and  can  advise  parents  as  to  the  best  methods  of 
securing  the  progress  of  their  children.  In  fine,  he  can  closely  watch  the  workings  of  the 
machinery,  no  matter  how  complicated,  and  keep  it  in  regular  motion,  and  accelerate 
that  motion." 

FROM  1876  TO  1888. 

The  above  history  of  the  Public  Schools  is  from  the  pen  of  Superintendent  Cotting- 
ham.  The  educational  machinery  during  the  last  twelve  years  has  moved  along  with  its 
wonted  smoothness.  But  there  have  been  a  few  changes,  and  other  important  events, 
during  these  years  which  are  of  considerable  importance.  Prominent  among  the  changes 
are  those  which  afFecft  the  High  School,  in  its  management  aud  relation  to  the  Grammar 
Schools.  Until  quite  a  recent  date  the  High  School  course  consisted  of  four  years  ;  this 
has  been  changed  to  three.  There  was  quite  a  class  of  pupils  who  did  not  wish  to  buy 
books  for  the  High  School  course,  and  yet  desired  to  continue  their  studies  somewhat 
further  than  they  could  in  the  Grammar  School,  and  to  accommodate  this  class,  the  studies 


398 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


JB^ 

^ 

1 

k 

•.INTH    STREETS. 


of  the  first  year  of  the  High  School  have  been  added  to  the  Grammar  Schools.  The 
studies  are  the  same  as  before.  There  were  those  who  felt  fearful  that  the  cliauge  would 
not  give  satisfaction,  but  the  result  has  not  justified  their  fears.  The  High  School  is  an 
institution  which  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  people  of  Easton.  The  teachers  occupy 
the  front  rank  in  the  profession,  and  every  department  is  taught  in  the  highest  style  of  the 
art.  A  change  in  the  teachers  is  rarely  made,  and  being  thus  permanent,  they  become 
familiar  with  the  several  departments,  which  is  an  element  of  success.  The  High  School 
was  organized  in  the  early  history  of  the  Common  Schools,  and  has  been  improved  under 
the  fostering  care  of  the  Superintendent  until  it  stands  unexcelled,  if  not  unrivaled,  in  the 
State.  Until  recently  there  were  two  departments  and  two  principals,  but  in  1882  the  male 
and  female  departments  were  consolidated.     The  following  is  the  personnel  of  the  teachers  : 

Senior  and  Middle  Classes,  B.  F.  Sandt,  principal,  teaching  Greek  and  Latin. 

Senior  Class,  Miss  Mary  E.  Mansfield,  teaching  Geometry,  Botany,  English  Litera- 
ture, Civil  Government,  English  Composition  and  Drawing. 

Middle  and  Junior  Class,  Miss  Emma  H.  Hoagland,  teaching  Algebra,  Natural  Philos- 
ophy, Physiology,  General  History,  Spelling,  Writing,  Drawing  and  English  Composition. 

Middle  and  Junior  Classes,  Miss  Susan  R.  Miller,  teaching  the  same  as  above. 

Middle  and  Junior  Classes,  Jacob  Mann,  teaching  the  same. 

Middleand  Junior  Classes,  Jos.  Martin,  teaching  Algebra,  Natural  Philosophy  and  Latin. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  399 

SIXTH   WARD    BUILDING. 

In  1884  the  Franklin  school  building  was  eredled.  It  is  really  the  most  convenient 
school  house  in  the  city.  It  is  beautifully  located  at  Walnut  and  Ninth  streets,  the 
grounds  are  ample,  and  the  view  from  the  building  is  very  fine.  In  size  it  is  63  by  69 
feet  square,  with  an  entrance  on  each  side,  and  so  construdled  as  not  to  need  fire  escapes. 
It  will  accommodate  over  four  hundred  pupils.  The  board  has  bought  suitable  land  on 
Northampton  street,  near  Ninth,  on  which  to  eredl  another  building. 

teachers'  institute. 
The  Teachers'  Institute  has  been  a  very  important  fa6lor  in  the  development  and  suc- 
cess of  the  Easton  schools.  One  of  the  first  duties  performed  by  the  superintendent  was 
the  organization  of  the  Institute,  November  13,  1854.  The  keen  foresight  of  the  super- 
intendent perceived  the  necessity  of  an  association  by  which  teachers  could  be  specially 
trained  for  their  work.  The  work  of  training  was  to  be  mutual,  the  teachers  were  to  help 
each  other.  The  Institute,  for  many  years,  met  once  a  week,  and  no  member  could  be 
excused  but  by  a  vote  of  the  Board  of  Control.  The  most  rigorous  discipline  was  enforced 
by  the  superintendent  and  the  board.  The  weather  was  not  considered,  cold  or  rain  must 
not  be  thought  of  as  an  impediment.  Debates,  le<ftures,  recitations  and  essays,  were  given 
by  all  the  members  in  turn.  The  educational  journals  were  at  hand,  and  all  questions 
bearing  upon  the  profession  were  discussed.  Parliamentary  law  was  closely  studied  and 
rigidly  enforced  by  the  presiding  officer.  At  other  times  the  Institute  would  be  divided 
into  classes,  study  lessons  during  the  week  and  recite  the  same  as  pupils  in  the  schools. 
Every  phase  of  educational  science  would  thus  be  canvassed  and  thoroughly  ventilated! 
The  superintendent  was  always  present  and  would  speak  of  faults  he  had  observed  in  the 
visitation  of  the  schools  in  the  manner  and  methods  of  instru(?tion  and  advise  in  the  mat- 
ter. The  teachers  thus  became  masters  of  the  art  of  teaching  in  theory  and  practice. 
The  older  teachers  would  stand  high  as  professors  in  college.  This  is  one  instrumentality 
which  has  done  much  to  place  the  schools  of  Easton  on  so  high  a  plane.  The  superinten- 
dent now  looks  back  with  pleasure  at  the  early  organization  of  this  co-ordinate  branch  of 
education  in  Easton.  It  is  interesting  to  think  that  the  mind  of  Easton  of  to-day  has 
passed  under  the  manipulations  of  these  faithful  toilors,  as  the  children  of  the  present 
day  are  being  moulded  for  the  Easton  of  the  future.  And  it  is  painful  to  realize,  that 
while  the  clergyman,  who  has  grown  old  in  the  service  of  his  church  is  cared  for  in  old 
age,  the  old  teacher  is  forgotten,  and  turned  out  like  an  old  horse  to  die.  The  time  will 
come  when  worn-out  teachers  will  be  pensioned  like  worn-out  soldiers  in  the  army.  The 
names  of  the  first  members  of  the  Institute  are  as  follows  :  W.  W.  Cottingham,  president, 
Oracle  S.  Sage,  William  Thomas,  Hugh  P.  Marston,  E.  D.  Milliard,  R.  L.  D.  Potter, 
John  F.  Gwinner,  Newton  Kirkpatrick,  Matilda  Evans,  Miriam  Godown,  Anna  McNeal, 
Jane  Wilson,  Susan  Troxell,  Anna  F.  Davis,  Rebecca  Lone,  Irene  Dexter,  Jane  A.  Car- 
roll, Elizabeth  A.  Kale,  Mary  Hecht,  Emma  Hecht,  Elizabeth  Dithmar,  Mary  A.  Naylor, 
Rosa  Hinkle,  Martha  Moore,  Henrietta  Ludwig,  Isabella  T.  Horn,  Mary  A.  Young,  Susan 
H.  Tice  and  Elizabeth  T.  Innes. 


The  city  is  divided  into  five  se6lions,  and  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Control  have 
the  oversight  of  the  school  property  in  the  se<?tion  in  which  they  reside. 


400  THE  HISTORY  OF 

WILLIAM  WHITE  COTTINGHAM. 

William  White  Cottingham,  who  has  completed  the  third  of  a  century  of  continuous  service  as  Superintendent 
of  our  Public  Schools,  was  born  in  Easton  on  the  6th  day  of  December,  1824.  He  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Sophia  Cot- 
tingham. He  first  attended  the  private  school  of  Miss  Gertrude  Kempfer,  where  he  was  initiated  into  the  first  rudi- 
ments of  learning.  He  next  attended  the  school  of  Mrs.  Pryor,  in  the  frame  building  nearly  opposite  the  High  School 
building,  on  Second  street.  Mrs.  Pryor  %vas  the  wife  of  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  and  kept  a  school  more  especially 
designed  for  girls,  but  admitted  a  few-  boys  only,  among  whom  was  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  When  still  a  boy  his 
parents  removed  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  while  there  he  attended  the  select  school  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Rapp. 
After  living  there  a  short  time  the  family  again  returned  to  Easton,  and  he  entered  the  schools  of  Richard  Collier  and 
Jacob  Stemmer,  both  remembered  by  our  older  citizens,  at  both  of  which  he  remained  for  some  time.  The  latter  was 
at  the  time  the  organist  in  the  German  Reformed  Church,  on  Third  street,  and  opened  a  school  in  the  old  building 
which  adjoined  the  church.  Josiah  Davis  then  opened  a  select  school  for  girls  and  boys,  on  Third  street,  opposite  the 
German  Reformed  Church,  which  was  well  attended  by  girls,  but  numbered  only  a  few  boys,  among  them  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

In  1834  the  Public  School  law  went  into  effect,  and  the  citizens  of  Easton,  taking  advantage  of  it,  and  a  Board  hav- 
ing been  organized,  a  school  was  opened  and  Josiah  Davis  was  elected  teacher  thereof  The  first  school  was  opened 
in  the  basement  of  the  old  Episcopal  Church,  on  Spring  Garden  street.  Mr.  Cottingham  was  among  its  first  pupils. 
Alter  continuing  there  for  a  while,  the  Board  of  Directors  transferred  the  school  to  the  Academy  building,  on  Second 
street.  Some  difficulty  arose  concerning  the  transfer  of  scholars  from  Mr.  Davis'  school  to  another,  which  Mr.  Davis 
resisted,  as  well  as  parents,  and  it  resulted  in  the  opening  of  a  select  school  by  Mr.  Davis,  to  which  a  number  of  the 
pupils  followed  him,  young  Cottingham  among  the  rest.  After  this  he  attended  the  school  of  Dr.  Vanderveer  for  a 
while,  when  he  entered  the  dry  goods  and  grocery  store  of  his  father,  on  Third  street,  where  he  remained  for  two  or 
three  years.  The  mercantile  business  did  not  suit  his  taste,  his  mind  inclined  to  mental  pursuits  and  wider  fields  of 
thought.  He  then  left  the  store  and  entered  the  Model  School  in  Lafayette  College,  then  under  Professor  D.  P.  Yoe- 
mans,  where  he  prepared  himself  for  a  college  course.  He  was  admitted  to  Lafayette,  took  a  four-years'  course,  and 
graduated  in  1848.  Immediately  after  his  graduation  he  was  elected  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  as  a  tutor  in  the  college. 
He  served  in  this  capacity  for  one  year,  when  an.xious  to  prepare  himself  for  still  higher  labors,  if  necessary,  he  entered 
Princeton  Seminary.  He  remained  at  this  institution  for  two  years,  when  he  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  the  Acad- 
emy at  Haddonfield,  N.  J.,  in  which  the  classics  and  higher  mathematics  were  taught.  He  accepted  the  offer,  took 
charge  of  the  academy  and  remained  there  for  a  time.  While  there  the  trustees  of  Lafayette  recalled  him  to  the  tutor- 
ship of  their  college,  to  which  he  responded  and  returned  to  his  former  field  of  labor.  The  college  at  that  time  was 
not  in  a  flourishing  condition  financially,  and  the  salaries  paid  were  meagre,  and  Mr.  Cottingham  thinking  after  a 
time  that  he  could  do  better  elsewhere,  resigned  the  tutorship.  For  several  months  he  was  not  specially  engaged, 
when  Mr.  St.  John,  then  Superintendent  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Easton  and  South  Easton,  being  in  want  of  a  teacher 
for  the  advanced  school  at  South  Easton,  requested  him  to  take  charge  until  a  permanent  teacher  could  be  secured. 
Mr.  Cottingham  complied,  and  no  other  teacher  being  elected,  he  continued  until  the  end  of  the  term.  During  this 
temporary  engagement,  he  became  interested  in  the  work  of  teaching,  especially  the  canal  boys  who  frequented  his 
school  in  this  term,  and  he  resolved  to  devote  his  future  time  to  the  service.  In  August,  1853,  he  was  elected  principal 
of  the  High  School  of  Easton  and  soon  after  Superintendent.  In  January,  1S54,  he  suggested  a  plan  for  the  manage- 
ment of  the  schools,  applied  himself  to  a  thorough  organization,  drew  a  draft  for  the  grading  of  all  schools,  which  was 
endorsed  by  the  Board,  and  started  the  successful  machinery  by  which  the  schools  of  Easton  are  still  governed,  only 
more  fully  developed.  Easton  at  this  time  stood  alone  as  an  independent  district  in  this  State.  The  reputation  of  our 
schools  under  the  efficient  management  of  Mr.  Cottingham,  extends  all  over  the  country.  After  the  organization  of 
the  schools  Mr.  Cottingham,  in  addition  to  the  regular  work  of  superintending  the  schools,  also  for  many  years  per- 
formed the  clerical  work  now  done  by  the  secretary  and  librarian-  These  extra  services  were  performed  by  him  until 
1873,  when  he  was  relieved  by  the  appointment  of  a  secretary. 

Mr.  Cottingham  deserves  the  credit  not  only  for  the  present  perfect  system  of  school  government,  but  for  the  origin 
and  introduction  of  many  other  new  features  in  the  department.  Through  his  suggestion  and  influence  the  scholarship 
of  Lafayette  College  was  obtained  and  offered  as  a  prize  in  the  High  School. 

Mr.  Cottingham  treats  his  schools  like  a  family,  takes  the  same  interest  in  their  mental,  moral  and  physical  cul- 
ture. When  the  scholars  leave  school  he  still  follows  them  and  watches  their  career,  assisting  when  he  can  in  securing 
them  positions,  and  in  encouraging  and  counseling  them  in  all  good  things.  He  is  the  oldest  Superintendent  in  the 
United  States,  having  held  the  position  for  thirty-six  years. 

He  is  a  man  of  strong  physical  and  mental  powers,  or  he  could  not  endure  the  arduous  labors  of  so  many  years  as 
he  has  done.  He  is  unassuming  in  his  manners,  while  he  is  courteous  to  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  He  per- 
forms the  various  duties  of  his  office  with  an  exemplary  impartiality,  but  a  quiet  decision,  that  makes  the  vast  combi- 
nation of  elements  in  our  school  department  a  power  for  good  to  the  public  as  well  as  the  pupils  under  his  control. 


---4-.j.-o-^^„^   -f-  ^, 


mo 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  401 

LONG  AND  HONORABLE  RECORD— INTERESTING  CORRESPONDENCE. 
The  author  while  looking  over  the  records  of  the  public  schools  of  the  borough,  found 
that  Mr.  W.  W.  Cottingham  had  held  the  position  of  Superintendent  for  nearly  thirty- 
two  years.  The  thought  occurred  to  him  that  this  was  perhaps  the  longest  continuous 
term  of  office  in  the  history  of  common  schools  in  the  country.  To  ascertain  this  fact 
inquiry  was  made  of  the  Commissioner  of  Education  in  Washington,  D.  C,  which  caused 
the  following  correspondence  : 

Department  of  the  Interior,  Bureau  of  Education,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  9,  1885. 
Reverend  and  Dear  Sir :  Your  note  of  June  2,  received  here  on  the  6th,  is  before  me,  and  I  am  pleased  to  learn 
from  it  of  the  nearly  thirty-two  years'  continuous  service  of  Superintendent  Cottingham,  of  Easton.  It  is  a  remarkable 
length  of  tenure,  and  I  should  like  to  know  whether  it  has  been  throughout  continuous  in  one  place,  and  in  essentially 
the  same  office.  The  first  mention  of  him  in  the  Pennsylvania  School  Reports  appears  to  be  in  1857,  about  twenty- 
eight  years  ago,  before  which  time  the  names  of  any  other  than  County  Superintendents  are  rarely  given.  »     * 

Outside  of  the  United  States  there  has  been  the  remarkable  case  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Egerton  Ryerson,  appointed  Chief 
Superintendent  of  Education  in  what  is  now  the  Province  of  Ontario,  Upper  Canada,  in  1844,  and  retired  in  1876,  after 
thirty-two  years  of  service,  a  term  which  your  Mr.  Cottingham  seems  likely  to  equal,  if  not  to  e.xceed.  Thanking  you 
for  bringing  his  case  to  my  notice,  I  am,  with  congratulations  to  him  on  his  long  service,  very  truly 

Your  obedient  servant, 

John  Eaton,  Commissioner  of  Edu 


Easton,  Pa.,  June  12,  1885. 
Hon.  John  Eaton,  Commissioner  of  Education— Dk\r  Sir  :  Yours  of  the  9th  of  June  is  at  hand,  and  I  am  happy 
to  inform  you  that  William  W.  Cottingham  has  been  Superintendent  of  the  Common  Schools  of  Easton,  Pa.,  since 
August,  1853.  He  entered  upon  his  duties  September  i  of  that  year,  and  will  have  been  in  office  thirty-two  years  Sep- 
tember I  of  this  year.  There  has  not  been  a  "break,"  his  has  been  a  continuous  tenure.  The  reason  his  name  does 
not  appear  in  the  reports  of  the  State  prior  to  1857  is  because  Borough  Superintendents  were  not  required  to  report  to 
State  authorities  prior  to  that  date.  Mr.  Cottingham  is  in  good  health,  and  in  all  probability  will  excel  the  Canadian 
competitor.  We  think  he  is  good  for  ten  years  longer.  It  is  a  source  of  pleasure  that  I  am  able  to  answer  your  inqui- 
ries so  satisfactorily. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

U.  W.  Condit. 

THE  COTTINGHAM   CELEBRATION. 

The  School  Board  at  a  special  session  on  February  21,  1887,  passed  resolutions  lauda- 
tory of  Mr.  Cottingham,  directed  a  suitable  minute  of  his  services  to  be  entered  on  the 
records  of  the  Board,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  arrange  conjointly  with  the  committee 
of  the  teachers  for  a  suitable  public  celebration. 

The  joint  committee  was  constituted  as  follows  :  James  K.  Dawes,  Chairman;  James 
Donnelly,  Allen  Albright,  W.  Gibson  Field  and  Edward  J.  Fox,  Jr. ,  of  the  Board  of  Con- 
trol, and  Henry  Snyder,  Mary  E.  Mansfield,  Jacob  Mann,  Alice  L,.  Vreeland,  Laura  C. 
DeHart,  Carrie  I.  Pauli,  George  Anna  Lake  and  Jacob  W.  Weaver,  Secretary,  of  the 
teachers.  The  committee  designated  Thursday,  April  28,  1887,  as  the  time  for  the  cele- 
bration, and  it  was  accordingly  held  on  that  day,  and  we  herewith  present  our  readers 
with  an  extended  account  thereof. 

THE   PROCESSION. 
The  outlines  of  the  program  previously  published  in  the  daily  papers  enabled  the  pub- 
lic to  form  some  idea  of  what  was  to  be  done  in  celebration  of  the  completion,  by  Mr.  Cot- 
tingham, of  a  third  of  a  century  as  Superintendent  of  the  Easton  schools,  but  we  seriously 
question  whether  the  public  was  prepared  for  the  very  elaborate  display  that  was  made. 


402  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  streets  were  decorated,  the  town  became  alive  with  interest,  and  crowds  thronged 
the  thoroughfares.  It  suddenly'  dawned  upon  the  people  that  there  was  an  unusual 
"something"  afloat,  and  it  aroused  the  greatest  amount  of  interest. 

The  management  of  the  affair  devolved  upon  James  K.  Dawes,  Esq.,  now  Secretary 
of  the  Board  of  Control. 

Shortly  after  one  o'clock  the  first  appearance  were  made  of  those  who  were  to  form 
the  parade.  The  school  children  seemed  to  pop  up  all  over  town  with  their  colored  bad- 
ges, with  the  pidlureof  Mr.  Cottingham  and  the  legend,  "  Third  of  a  Centur}- Celebration, 
Easton,  Pa.,  April  28,  1887."  Now  and  then  a  teacher  appeared,  and  at  intervals  im- 
portant looking  gentlemen — members  of  the  School  Board  or  some  other  dignitary.  These 
were  noticed  in  different  parts  of  the  cit> — the  scholars  hastening  to  their  schools,  the  dig- 
nitaries wending  their  way  to  the  Taylor  building.  At  the  schools  there  was  bustle  and 
excitement.  Soon  young  men  with  bronze-colored  badges,  aids,  were  seen  at  the  school 
buildings,  and  then  the  long  lines  of  school  children  began  marching  through  the  streets, 
bending  their  steps  toward  the  Taylor  building.  As  the  aids  arrived  with  their  following 
of  school  children  they  reported  to  Marshal  Dawes,  who  assigned  the  position  of  each 
school  according  to  its  grade.  First  in  line  came  the  Primaries,  then  the  Secondaries, 
then  the  Grammar  schools,  and  lastly  the  High  School  scholars.  To  find  places  for  these 
— in  all  about  2,200  children — the  line  was  e.xtended  from  Fourth  and  Ferry  to  North- 
ampton, up  the  south  side  to  Sixth  street,  and  down  to  Fourth  again  on  the  north  side, 
the  rear  extending  along  Ferry  street. 

When  all  was  formed  and  ready  to  move  the  School  Dire(5lors,  city  officials,  represen- 
tatives of  Lafayette  College  and  other  distinguished  guests  were  escorted  from  the  Taylor 
building  to  the  head  of  the  procession  and  assigned  a  position  just  behind  the  band.  Behind 
them  came  thirteen  little  girls  carrying  baskets  of  flowers.  The  procession  formed  and 
marched  as  follows  : 

Chief  Tilton  -svith  Platoon  of  Police. 

Junior  Cornet  Band. 

Two  vSilk  United  States  Flags. 

Marshal^.  K.  Dawes. 

Three  Aids. 

The  Banner  of  the  Public  Schools. 

Board  of  Control. 

City  Officials  and  Invited  Guests. 

Dr.  Knox,  President,  and  Dr.  Green,  Dean  of  Lafaj-ette  College. 

Superintendent  Cottingham, 

Attended  by  Edward  J.  Fox,  Jr.,  President  of  the  Board  of  Control,  and  Rev.  T.  O.  Stem,  President  of  the 

Board  of  Control  of  last  year. 

The  Souvenir  Album — In  Charge  of  Henry  Snyder,  Principal  of  the  High  School. 

Three  Aids. 

Primary  Division  Banner — (Purple  with  Canary  Bar.) 

Thirteen  Little  Girls  of  the  Primary  Schools,  each  Carrying  a  Basket  of  Flowers. 

Twenty  two  Primary  Schools,  each  with  Purple  Banners— (1071  Pupils.) 

Secondary  Division  Banner — (Canary  with  Blue  Bar.) 

Twenty  Secondary  Schools,  each  with  Canary  Banner— (716  Pupils.) 

Grammar  Division  Banner — (Blue  with  Red  Bar.) 

Ten  Grammar  Schools,  each  with  Blue  Banner — (304  Pupils.) 

High  School  Banner— (Red  with  White  Bar.) 

The  High  School  in  Four  Divisions,  each  with  a  Red  Banner— (i  17  Pupils.) 


E AS  TON.    PENN'A. 


403 


The  total  number  of  pupils  in  the  procession  was  2,208.  The  Banner  of  the  Public 
Schools  was  of  gold  cloth,  gold  fringe,  with  a  broad  bar  of  black  satin,  on  which  was 
emblazoned  in  gold  letters,  "  Public  Schools,"  and  on  the  banner  in  black  letters,  "  Eas- 
ton,  Penna."  On  the  Division  Banners  were  inscribed,  in  gold  letters  on  the  bar,  the 
grade  of  schools  at  head  of  which  they  were  carried.  Each  school  carried  a  satin  banner, 
gold  fringed,  with  the  name,  in  gold  letters,  of  the  school  building  and  room  in  which  it 
was  located. 

During  the  passage  of  the  procession  through  the  streets  every  available  point  of 
observation  was  densely  crowded,  and  the  utmost  enthusiasm  prevailed.  The  parade 
passed  down  Northampton  street  to  Front  street,  thence  to  Lafayette  Hall,  in  which  was 
assembled  an  audience,  composed  entirely  of  ladies,  completely  filling  the  building,  except 
the  floor  and  the  places  reserved  for  the  participants  and  invited  guests.  The  scene  was 
unequaled  in  the  history  of  Easton,  and  was  as  brilliant  in  spectacle  as  it  was  complimen- 
tary to  Mr.  Cottingham. 

As  the  scholars  marched  into  the  building  they  passed  in  review  before  Mr.  Cotting- 
ham, who,  with  the  president  and  ex-president  of  the  board,  stood  on  an  elevated  plat- 
form. As  the  division  banner  bearers  arrived  they  left  the  line  and  assumed  positions  in 
the  rear  of  the  reviewing  stand.  The  Board  of  Control  stood  just  beyond  the  stand  with 
open  ranks  through  which  the  scholars  passed,  after  which  the  distinguished  guests 
passed  into  the  hall. 

A  half  hour  was  required  to  mass  the  scholars,  who  were  under  the  diredlion  of  Mr. 
Moses  Menline,  one  of  the  aids  to  the  marshal,  who  had  been  assigned  to  the  charge  of  the 
hall,  and  who,  with  the  assistance  of  his  fellow  aids,  marched  them  to  the  places  assigned 
them,  and  so  perfe<?tly  was  this  done  that,  though  over  2,200  children,  more  than  one- 
half  of  them  under  ten  years  of  age,  were  massed  on  the  floor  of  the  hall,  not  a  hitch  or 
halt  occurred,  and  all  were  condudled  to  their  proper  places  in  the  most  perfect  order. 

There  were  two  platforms  eredled  in  the  building.  One  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Cotting- 
ham, President  Knox,  Dr.  Green,  Revs.  Ferrier  and  Walter,  Marshal  Dawes,  President 
Fox,  and  ex-President  Stem,  of  the  Board  of  Control,  Messrs.  S.  M.  Perkins  and  J.  A. 
Greene,  of  New  York,  and  Mayor  Chidsey.  On  the  opposite  platform  were  City  Con- 
troller Rothrock  and  City  Treasurer  McCauley,  the  Board  of  Control  and  other  guests. 

The  exercises  in  the  hall  consisted  of  instrumental  and  vocal  music.  Thirteen  little 
girls,  between  six  and  seven  years  of  age,  and  representing  the  thirteen  Primary,  No.  2 
schools,  each  carrying  a  small  basket  of  flowers,  passed  before  Mr.  Cottingham  on  the 
stage,  and,  as  they  passed,  presented  him  with  their  baskets,  which  afterwards  were  tastily 
grouped  on  the  stage,  adding  to  the  scenic  effecft. 

It  had  been  the  desire  of  the  friends  of  Mr.  Cottingham  to  present  him  with  some 
gift  which  would  add  to  the  pleasure  of  the  occasion,  and  help  him  to  remember  the  donors 
as  he  might  look  upon  the  gift  in  future  years.  The  gift  consisted  of  a  beautiful  album, 
manufactured  especially  for  the  occasion.  The  size  of  the  book  is  thirteen  by  sixteen 
inches,  and  contains  298  pages.  It  is  heavily  bound  in  dark  brown  Levant  morocco  ;  the 
outside  covers  are  severely  plain,  relieved  only  by  the  narrowest  of  gilt  lines  near  the 
edge,  this  being  considered  the  highest  taste  in  the  binding  art  for  very  choice  or  presen- 
tation books,  the  modest  plainness  of  the  outside  being  only  a  fitting  contrast  to  the  ele- 
gance and  exquisiteness  of  the  interior. 


404 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


When  the  covers  are  opened  the  first  glance  brings  exclamations  of  delight ;  they  are 
lined  with  white  moire  silk,  the  leather  edges  very  broad,  being  elegantly  decorated  in 
gold,  with  elaborate  tool  work.  The  title  page  is  a  marvel  of  the  penman's  art.  It  is 
not  only  of  great  artistic  skill  as  to  the  design,  but  the  execution  is  faultless. 

The  sheets  composing  the  book  are  of  the  finest  linen  paper,  manufadlured  specially 
for  this  purpose  ;  the  pages  set  apart  for  signatures  are  surrounded  with  a  French  gray  tint 
border,  through  which  appears  a  branch  of  laurel  tied  with  a  bow  ;  on  the  opposite  page 
is  a  laurel  wreath,  also  in  same  colored  tint  surrounding  the  words  "  Cottingham,  Third 
of  a  Century,"  in  old  style  Elizabethan  letters.  The  laurel  is  especially  appropriate  as 
indicating  the  victor's  wreath,  to  which  Mr.  Cottingham  is  so  justly  entitled.  The  plates 
from  which  the  tints  were  printed  were  specially  engraved  for  this  Album,  and  are  excel- 
lent products  of  the  engraver's  skill. 

There  are  between  three  and  four  thousand  names  in  the  book,  consisting  of  the 
present  and  former  pupils,  present  and  former  teachers  ;  Governor  and  Cabinet  officers  of 
the  State,  names  of  the  Judiciary,  Legislature,  and  City  Government,  host  of  friends,  and 
every  name  is  autographic  from  the  child  of  six  years  to  those  venerable  for  years. 

The  presentation  was  made  by  Mr.  Henry  Snyder  in  the  presence  of  the  vast  audi- 
ence by  an  eloquent  address.  Upon  the  reception  of  the  book  the  Superintendent  returned 
his  grateful  acknowledgment  with  words  befitting  the  occasion.  The  parting  song  was 
sung  and  the  audience  dispersed.  And,  at  this  writing,  January  26,  1889,  Mr.  Cotting- 
ham is  still  at  his  post,  hale,  and  hearty,  and  happy. 

GOVERNOR   WOLF    AND   THE    PUBLIC   SCHOOLS. 

In  reading  over  the  history  of  education  in  our  city  we  find  a  few  names  that  excite 
unusual  interest.  Among  those  is  that  of  Governor  George  Wolf  His  agency  in  the  cause 
popular  education,  the  founding  of  the  Common  School  system  for  Pennsylvania  under 
his  energetic  and  aclive  influence,  and  while  he  was  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  has 
embalmed  his  memory  in  the  hearts  of  millions.  The  words  of  James  Buchanan,  just 
before  the  ele(ftion  of  the  Governor  to  his  high  office,  give  a  proper  idea  of  the  brilliant 
career  upon  which  Mr.  Wolf  was  to  enter.  Mr.  Buchanan  used  the  following  language  : 
"If  ever  the  passion  of  envy  could  be  excused  a  man  ambitious  of  true  glory,  he  might 
almost  be  justified  in  envying  the  fame  of  that  favored  individual,  whoever  he  may  be, 
whom  Providence  intends  to  make  the  instrument  in  establishing  Common  Schools  through- 
out this  Commonwealth.  His  task  will  be  arduous.  He  will  have  many  difficulties  to 
encounter,  and  many  prejudices  to  overcome  ;  but  his  fame  will  exceed  that  of  the  great 
Clinton,  in  the  same  proportion  that  mind  is  superior  to  matter.  Whilst  the  one  has 
erecfted  a  frail  memorial,  which,  like  everything  human,  must  decay  and  perish,  the  other 
will  raise  a  monument  which  shall  flourish  in  immortal  youth,  and  shall  endure  whilst  the 
human  soul  continues  to  exi.st.  Ages  unborn,  and  nations  yet  behind  shall  bless  his 
memory."  Providence  seledled  George  Wolf  for  that  high  post  of  honor,  and  to  him,  in 
all  time  to  come,  when  the  inquirer  shall  seek  to  know  by  whose  voice  and  sturdy  will 
that  great  boon  was  championed  and  finally  won,  will  the  paeons  of  praise  and  gratitude 
be  sung.  Governor  Wolf  undertook  to  establish  the  Common  School  system,  he  made  it 
the  special  objett  of  his  ambition,  he  made  it  the  cherished  purpose  of  his  administration. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


405 


He  was  opposed  by  prejudice,  avarice  and  error.  But  he  determined  to  succeed.  He  ascer- 
tained by  statistical  reports  that  out  of  400,000  children,  between  five  and  fifteen  years  of 
age,  more  than  250,000  were  not  in  school  during  the  previous  year.  To  the  mind  of  a 
philanthropist,  this  state  of  thing  was  appalling.  This  fa6l  of  itself  startled  the  earnest,^ 
sincere  heart  of  the  Governor.  "Hercules-like,  he  put  his  shoulder  to  the  wheel,"  and 
with  his  iron  will  yielded  to  no  temporizing.  He  talked  in  private,  used  all  the  force  of 
his  intellect  in  public  ;  he  reasoned  in  the  light  of  political  economy,  in  the  light  of  justice 
to  the  rising  generation,  in  the  light  of  safety  to  our  institutions,  in  the  light  of  Christian 
patriotism  ;  his  heart  was  set  on  the  matter,  he  saw  the  time  had  come  and  was  ripe  for 
the  consummation  of  the  sublime  objecfl  of  his  ambition.      He  knew  human  nature,  he 

knew  the  way  to  the  human  heart,   and  went 
dire6lly  into  the  centre  of  human  affe6lion  and 
I    motive  power.      He  was  the  first  Governor  of  the 
j    State  who  had  his  room  in  the  State  House,  and 
1    bade  the  people  welcome.      Here  he  met  with  the 
influential  men  of  all  parties,  and  from  all  parts 
i    of  the  State,  and  in  the  most  dire6l  and  candid 
!    manner  laid  the  important  matter  before  them. 
Governor  Wolf  succeeded,    and  his  name,   thus 
connecfted  with  this  glorious  step  in  the  intellec- 
tual progress  of  Pennsylvania,   has  become  im- 
\    mortal.       And    this  very    fortunate   and   highly 
favored  Governor  was  a  citizen  of  Easton.     George 
Wolf,    the   seventh    Governor  of  Pennsylvania, 
was  born  in  Allen  township,  Northampton  county, 
August  12,  1777.     His  father  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, who  left  two  sons,  Philip  and  George,  who 
inherited  the  vigor,  good  sense  and  integrity  of 
the  father.     George  was  educated  at  a  classical 
school   established   in   the  county  by  a  society, 
I    which  was  presided  over  by  Robert  Andrews,  A. 
I  M.,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin.     Here 

he  acquired  a  good  knowledge  of  the  Latin  and 
Greek  languages  and  the  science  usually  pursued  in  a  liberal  education.  For  a  time  he 
had  charge  of  his  father's  farm,  and  also  acfted  as  principal  of  the  academy  in  his  native 
township.  He  soon  after  entered  the  Prothonotary's  ofiice  of  Northampton  county  as 
a  clerk,  and  at  the  same  time  studied  law  under  the  diredlion  of  the  Hon.  John  Ross. 
He  early  espoused  the  political  opinions  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  and  in  1799  advocated  the  elec- 
tion of  Thomas  McKeen  for  Governor.  When  Mr.  Jefferson  became  president  he  appointed 
Mr.  Wolf  postmaster  at  Easton.  Afterwards,  Governor  McKeen  appointed  him  Clerk  of 
the  Orphans'  Court  of  Northampton  county,  which  position  he  held  until  1809.  In  1814 
he  was  elecfted  a  member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  Legislature,  and  in  the  following  year 
was  a  candidate  for  the  Senate,  but  was  defeated  on  account  of  a  rupture  in  the  party 
and  the  formation  of  a  double  ticket.  In  1824  he  was  ele6led  a  member  of  the  United 
States  House  of  Representatives,  and  was  re-elecfled  for  the  two  succeeding  terms,  having 


HON.   GEORGE  WOLF, 

Ex-GOVERNOR  OF  PENNSYLVANIA  AND   FOUN- 
DER OF  THE  Common  School  System. 


4o6  THE  HISTORY  OF 

no  opposition  in  the  first  two  elections,  and  being  retnrned  in  the  latter  by  a  very  large 
majority.  He  stood  high  among  the  members  as  a  hard  worker  and  a  conscientious,  up- 
rio-ht  member.  In  1829  he  was  nominated  as  a  candidate  for  Governor,  and  was  triumph- 
antly elected.  The  Governor  was  looked  upon  as  a  man  of  sterling  integrity,  sound 
judgment,  and  common  .sense.  His  constant  intercourse  with  the  world  had  enabled  him 
to  become  well  acquainted  with  human  nature. 

Easton  is  justly  proud  to  think  that  the  man  who  brought  into  being  the  Common 
School  System  of  Pennsylvania,  was  one  of  her  citizens.  He  lived  in  the  house  now  occu- 
pied by  Dr.  John  Detweiler.  This  great,  this  sublime  consummation  of  patriotic  devo- 
tion to  the  public  welfare  reaches  dire<5lly  the  children  of  the  toiling  millions,  lifting  them 
up  in  the  highest  positions  in  the  social,  religious  and  political  world.  It  has  brought  to 
lio-ht  the  fa6l  that  the  only  true  aristocracy  is  that  of  mind,  and  is  the  gift  of  God.  And 
the  common  school  more  frequently  finds  these  jewels  in  the  cabins  of  the  poor  than  in 
the  palace  of  the  rich.  The  toiling  teacher  in  our  common  schools  has  become  the  most 
potent  factor  in  society.  The  teacher  takes  children  in  the  plastic  and  most  impressible 
state  of  childhood  and  developes  the  living  glories  of  the  immortal  soul  and  prepares  the 
expanding  powers  of  these  young  minds  to  occupy  the  places  of  influence  in  and  help 
guide  the  destinies  of  the  mightiest  nation  on  the  globe.  And  it  does  not  require  the 
penetration  of  a  philosopher  to  see  that  those  who  guide  the  destinies  of  this  mighty 
republic  come  from  the  cottages  of  the  poor.  Those  flowers  that  would  have  been  born 
to  "blush  unseen,"  now  scatter  their  fragrance  over  the  surface  of  human  society.  And 
as  the  light,  beaming  from  the  common  schools,  reaches  directly  the  children,  they  have 
had  the  privilege  of  erecting  a  monument  to  Governor  Wolf. 

Governor  Wolf  was  elected  in  1829,  but  the  act  by  which  the  Common  Schools  were 
established  was  not  passed  till  1834.  But  during  these  years  he  was  busy  gathering  sta- 
tistics on  the  condition  of  education,  writing,  reasoning  with  the  people,  urging  the  sub- 
ject upon  the  attention  of  legislators.  But  when  the  act  finally  passed  it  was  with  a 
unanimity,  says  the  Governor,  "rarely  equaled,  perhaps,  never  surpassed  in  the  annals  of 
legislation."  The  Governor  was  a  candidate  for  a  third  term,  but  by  a  division  in  the 
partv  he  was  defeated.  The  following  year  he  was  appointed  by  General  Jackson  the  first 
Comptroller  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States.  The  duties  of  this  important  position 
were  discharged  for  two  years,  when  he  was  appointed  by  President  VanBuren  Collector 
of  the  Port  of  Philadelphia.  On  March  11,  1840,  he  died  very  suddenly,  while  in  the 
vigor  of  manhood,  in  the  si.xty-third  year  of  his  age. 

In  1859,  thirty  years  ago,  a  movement  was  begun  by  which  funds  should  be  col- 
lected to  erect  a  monument  to  Governor  Wolf  The  work  was  completed  vSeptember 
28,  1888.  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Control  to  make  arrangements 
for  a  celebration  in  honor  of  the  great  event,  which  resulted  in  a  grand  ovation,  that 
took  place  on  the  last  mentioned  date.  James  K.  Dawes,  Esq.,  was  the  chief  marshal, 
and  was  eminently  successful  in  the  very  elaborate  display  which  reflected  the  highest 
honor  upon  all  concerned.  The  celebration  consisted  of  a  procession  which  excelled,  in 
artistic  arrangement,  the  parade  in  honor  of  Mr.  Cottingham.  Nothing  escaped  the  atten- 
tion of  the  chief  marshal  in  the  elaborateness  of  the  arrangement,  as  the  entire  responsi- 
bility of  the  management  rested  upon  him.  The  city  was  dressed  in  holiday  attire.  The 
buildings  along  the  line  of  march  were  ta.stefully  decorated.      As  they  pas.sed  down   the 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  407 

street  it  was  viewed  by  thousands  of  spedlators,  and  the  cheers  of  greeting  were  heard  on 
every  side.  The  procession  was  so  long  that  the  front  reached  the  reviewing  stand  before 
the  rear  had  started. 

Governor  Beaver,  State  Superintendent  Higbee,  ex-State  Superintendent  Wickersham, 
President  Knox,  Attorney  General  Kirkpatrick,  General  Reeder,  Superintendent  Cotting- 
ham.  Mayor  Chidsey,  officials  of  the  City,  members  of  the  Councils  and  School  Board, 
and  others  took  places  on  the  reviewing  stand,  and  watched  the  long  line  of  schools  as 
they  passed  in  review.     The  line  was  formed  as  follows  : 

Chief  Tilton  with  a  Platoon  of  Police. 

City  Cornet  Band. 

Two  Silk  United  States  Flags. 

Chief  Marshal  (Gold  Badge).     Three  Marshals  as  Aids  (Bronze  Badge). 

The  Wolf  Memorial  Banner  with  Forty-eight  Pupils  of  the  Primary  Schools  as  Guards  of  Honor 

under  charge  of  Marshal  George  M.  Bebler. 

ContraAors  and  the  Mechanics  who  aided  in  ereifting  the  Arch. 

Wolf  Memorial  Committee  (Peacock  Blue  Badge). 

Superintendent  Cottingham  and  H.  S.  Carey. 

Board  of  Control  (Light  Blue  Badge) 

City  Officials  and  Guests  (Cream  Badge). 

President  Knox  and  Faculty  of  Lafayette  College. 

Banner  of  Public  Schools  (Old  Gold). 

Marshal  (Bronze  Badge)  with  three  Aids. 

Primary  Division  (Purple  Badge  with  Canary  Bar)— Twenty-four  Primary  Schools,  each  with 

Purple  Satin  Banner  with  Room  Inscribed. 

Secondary  Division  Banner  (Canary  with  Blue  Bar) — Twenty  Secondary  Schools, 

each  with  Canary  Satin  Banner  with  Building  Inscribed. 

Grammar  Division  Banner  (Blue  with  Red  Bar) — Nine  Grammar  Schools,  each  with  Blue  Satin  Banner. 

High  School  Division  Banner  (Cardinal  with  Cream  Bar) — High  School 

in  Four  Divisions,  each  with  Cardinal  Banner. 

South  Easton  Division — Superintendent  S.  E.  Shull  and  Board  of  Control. 

Four  Primary  Schools.     High  School  Division. 

Glendon  Division — Superintendent  P.  A.  Frace  and  Board  of  Control. 

Two  Primary  Schools.  One  Secondary  School.  One  Mixed  School. 

Grammar  Division. 

Lafayette  Division — Students  of  Lafayette  College. 

It  was  2.15  when  the  procession  started,  and  the  rear  of  the  line  did  not  pass  the 
reviewing  stand  within  an  hour.  There  were  three  thousand  seven  hundred  people  in  line. 
The  pupils  marched  into  the  school  grounds  and  were  arranged  on  the  lawn  and  terraces 
in  front  of  the  Penn  building,  presenting  a  scene  of  animated  beauty  seldom  beheld. 

Thirty  years  before,  Henry  S.  Carey  had  originated  the  movement,  calling  upon  the 
children  for  penny  contributions.  He  was  introduced  by  the  Marshal,  and  gave  a  brief 
history  of  the  work  so  successfully  completed  that  day.  Dr.  Traill  Green,  LL.  D.,  Dean 
of  the  Pardee  Scientific  Course  of  Lafayette  College,  was  then  introduced,  and  made  a  very 
eloquent  address,  alluding  to  Governor  Wolf  in  his  successful  efforts  to  establish  the  Com- 
mon School  system.  And  then  turning  to  Governor  Beaver,  who  stood  by  his  side,  the  Do<?tor 
said  :  "And  now,  honored  Governor,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  present  this  monument,  the 
gift  of  the  pupils  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Easton  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  through 
you  as  its  highest  officer,  an  appropriate  memorial  to  one  whose  work  has  been  a  blessing 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


to  generations  yet  to  come.  It  is  as  stable  as  was  his  charadler,  and  standing  open  to 
receive  the  pupils  of  our  schools,  it  symbolizes  the  door  which  opened  for  the  admission 
of  the  children  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  school  house." 

This  memorial  gate-way  is  built  of  granite  of  a  brownish  hue,  with  copings  and  cap- 
pings  of  gray  sandstone,  and  forms  a  complete  archway  over  the  entrance  to  the  school 
grounds,  and  is  located  in  the  centre.  From  it  paths  diverge  to  the  three  school  buildings. 
The  keystone  of  the  arch  is  supported  by  a  square  base,  which  on  the  other  side  round  into 
the  turrets.  These  latter,  one  on  each  side,  contain  marble  tablets,  and  are  surmounted 
with  cone-shaped  capping.     The  tablet  on  the  north  contains   this  inscription:   "This 


1^^ 


THE  WOLF  MEMORIAL  GATE-WAY. 


Memorial  Gate-way  was  ere6led  in  honor  of  Hon.  George  Wolf,  who,  on  April  i,  1S34, 
being  a  resident  of  Easton,  and  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  signed  the  Adl  of  Assembly 
creating  the  Public  School  system  of  this  Commonwealth.  The  granite  constituting  the 
main  body  of  this  stru6lure  was  taken  from  the  farm  owned,  in  1834,  by  Governor  Wolf, 
and  situated  within  the  city  limits."  The  tablet  on  the  south  reads  as  follows  :  "This 
Memorial  Gate-way  was  eredled  by  means  of  a  fund  raised  by  the  voluntary  penny-con- 
tributions of  the  pupils  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Easton,  and  was,  on  September  28th, 
1888,  dedicated  in  the  presence  of  the  Governor  and  a  large  assemblage  of  distinguished 
guests,  officials,  teachers  and  pupils  of  the  public  schools  and  citizens  of  Easton  and  vicinity." 
On  the  apex  of  the  Gate-way  is  poised  a  polished  granite  globe,  two-and-a-half  feet  in  diam- 
eter, on  which  is  cut  a  map  of  the  world.  The  globe's  polar  diameter  is  not  set  vertically, 
but  at  the  corredl  inclination  of  the  earth,  viz.,  23° 28',  adjusted  to  the  magnetic  variation 
for  this  locality. 


COURT,  BENCH  AND  BAR, 


HE  Royal  Charter,  granted  to  William  Penn,  March  4,  1680,  by  King 
Charles  II.,  empowered  him  "to  appoint  and  establish  any  Judges  and 
Justices,  Magistrates  and  other  officers  ;"  "  to  do  all  and  every  other  thing 
and  things,  which  unto  the  complete  establishment  of  justice,  unto  courts 
and  tribunals,  forms  of  judicature  and  manner  of  proceedings,  do  belong." 
Courts  of  Judicature  were  regularly  established  by  the  A61  passed  May 
22,  1722.  This  A61  was  the  foundation  of  the  present  Courts  of  Quarter 
Sessions,  Common  Pleas  and  Supreme  Court ;  and  was  the  first  which 
authorized  the  admission  of  attorneys  for  the  pradlice  of  the  law  in  the 
province. 

The  A(5l  of  March  11,  1752,  creating  the  county  of  Northampton, 
provided  for  the  appointment  of  Justices,  to  hold  Courts  of  Quarter  Sessions,  and  County 
Courts  for  holding  of  Pleas,  "  at  Easton,  on  Lehidlon,  in  the  forks  of  the  river  Delaware, 
until  a  Court  House  shall  be  bu  il  t. "  The  same  A(fl  authorized  Thomas  Craig,  Hugh  Wilson, 
John  Jones,  Thomas  Armstrong,  and  James  Martin,  to  purchase  land  and  build  a  "Court 
House  and  Prison,  sufficient  to  accommodate  the  public  service  of  the  said  county,  and 
the  ease  and  conveniency  of  the  inhabitants."  Under  this  A61,  the  Court  House,  which 
stood  for  a  century  in  the  Public  Square  of  Easton,  was  built  in  1764. 

The  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  held  Assizes,  or  Courts  of  Nisi  Prius, 
at  Easton,  between  the  years  1786  and  1799.  See  i  Yeates'  Reports,  pp.  92,  162, 
570  ;  2  lb.,  p.  243  ;  3  lb.,  p.  23  ;  4  lb.,  p.  69.  After  1799  Circuit  Courts  were  substitu- 
ted for  the  Courts  of  Nisi  Prius,  and  the  cases  reported  are  so  entitled.  These  courts, 
first  by  two  judges,  afterwards  by  one,  were  held  at  Newtown,  Easton,  Chester,  Lancaster, 
Chambersburg,  Bedford,  Uniontown,  Harrisburg,  and  Sunbury,  so  that  the  labors  of  the 
judges  must  have  been  great.  The  names  of  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  Philadelphia, 
Bucks,  and  Easton  bars  appear  as  counsel  in  the  cases  above  referred  to.  Ingersoll,  Read, 
Smith,  Thomas,  and  John  Ross  ;  Biddle,  Tilghmau,  Hopkins,  and  Samuel  Sitgreaves. 
Messrs.  Tilghman  and  John  Ross  were  afterwards  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
State  for  many  years.  In  those  days  the  judges  and  lawyers  traveled  from  one  county  to 
another,  often  on  horseback.  Cases  were  tried,  with  very  few  references  to  law  books, 
and  these  were  mainly  published  in  England.  The  Pennsylvania  statutes,  with  a  few 
reports,  made  up  the  libraries  of  lawyers  in  those  days.  And  yet  those  who  read  the 
early  reports  of  this  State,  especially  those  of  Yeates,  Dallas,  and  Binney,  cannot  fail  to 
remark  the  ability  and  research  exhibited  by  counsel,  and  the  depth,  solidity,  and  wisdom 
of  the  judges,  as  displayed  in  their  opinions. 

As  already  stated,  Northampton  county,  when  organized,  extended  from  Bucks  county 
to  the  line  of  New  York  State.  When,  in  the  course  of  time,  new  counties  were  eredled 
from  its  territory,  the  records  of  Northampton  were  the  evidence  of  title  to  lands  acquired 


4IO  THE  HISTORY  OF 

within  its  former  boundaries.  Hence,  it  resulted,  that  the  attorneys  of  the  Northampton 
bar  continued  to  pradlice  in  the  new  counties.  Indeed,  within  the  last  thirty  j-ears,  it 
was  customary  for  the  older  attorneys  regularly  to  attend  the  courts  of  Lehigh,  Carbon, 
Monroe,  Pike,  and  Wayne  counties. 

The  bar  of  Northampton  county  from  the  first,  has  been  justly  celebrated  for  the 
learning,  zeal,  and  ability,  which  has  characflerized  its  members.  The  sketch  of  the  life 
of  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  already  given  in  this  history,  shows  the  career  of  one  of  them.  In 
later  years,  others,  from  this  bar,  have  been  chosen  as  Judges,  Governors,  Senators,  Mem- 
bers of  Congress,  and  of  the  Presidential  Cabinet,  Ministers  to  Foreign  countries,  and 
Consuls.  Hopewell  Hepburn  was  appointed  Judge  of  Allegheny  county  ;  Joel  Jones  was 
chosen  by  Governor  Wolf  as  one  of  the  Revisers  of  the  Civil  Code  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
afterwards  became  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Distridl  Court  of  Philadelphia,  President  of 
Girard  College,  and  Mayor  of  that  City.  James  M.  Porter  was  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, twice  a  President  Judge,  and  Secretary  of  War  in  President  Tyler's  Cabinet.  George 
Wolf  was  a  member  of  Congress  for  three  terms,  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  for  two  terms. 
First  Controller  of  the  United  States  Treasury,  and  afterwards  Colledlor  of  the  Port  of 
Philadelphia.  Richard  Brodhead  was  a  member  of  Congress  for  three  terms,  and  a  Sen- 
ator of  the  United  States  for  six  years.  Peter  Ihrie  was  twice  ele6led  to  Congress.  Philip 
Johnson  and  William  Mutchler  had  each  three  terms,  and  the  latter  is  elecfted  for  another 
term.  Washington  McCartney  was  President  Judge  of  this  judicial  distritl.  He  was  not 
only  an  able  judge,  but  he  was  a  learned  professor,  a  great  mathematician  and  a  scholar 
of  wonderful  attainments  in  other  sciences,  as  well  as  in  general  history.  The  sketch  of 
the  life  of  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  given  in  this  history,  will  show  his  public  career.  Henry 
D.  Maxwell  was  Consul  to  Trieste,  and  afterwards  President  Judge  of  this  judicial  dis- 
tricft.  Henry  Green  is  now  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  William  S.  Kirkpatrick,  the  Attorney  General.  James  M.  Porter,  Alexander  E. 
Brown,  Philip  Johnson,  Lewis  H.  Stout,  and  Pennel  C.  Evans,  (living)  served  as  members 
of  the  State  Legislature,  each  two  terms.  Samuel  Sitgreaves  was  eledled  a  member  of 
the  State  Constitutional  Convention  of  1790  ;  James  M.  Porter  of  the  Convention  of  1838, 
and  Henry  Green  and  Charles  Brodhead  of  the  last  Convention  of  1872-3.  Other  officers 
of  trust  and  responsibility  have  been  worthih-  filled  by  members  of  the  bar  of  this  county. 
Two  of  them,  W.  W.  Schuyler  and  Howard  J.  Reeder,  are  now  the  Judges  of  our  Courts. 
Very  few,  if  any,  bars,  outside  of  the  large  cities,  can  show  a  record  of  such  distinguished 
service,  in  so  many  departments.  Easton  has  been  represented  in  twenty-two  Congresses, 
since  the  inauguration  of  Washington,  and  will  again  be,  in  the  next  Congress.  All  of 
the  Representatives,  save  two,  have  been  members  of  this  bar.  The  following  summary 
of  service  is  here  given  : 

Richard  Brodhead,  United  States  Senator,  from  1S51  to  1857. 

Samuel  Sitgreaves,  House  of  Representatives 4th  and  5th  Congresses. 

Thomas  Rogers,  "  "  15th,  16th,  17th  and  iSth 

Peter  Ihrie,  "  "  21st  and  22d 

David  D.  Wagener,        "  "  23d,  24th,  25th  and  26th 

Richard  Brodhead,        "  "  2Sth,  29th  and  30th 

Philip  Johnson,  "  "  37th,  3Sth  and  39th 

William  Mutchler,        "  "  44th,  46th  and  47th 

and  niemher  ele<fl  to  the  51st  Congress. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  411 

Easton  has  thus  been  represented  at  Washington  for  six  years  in  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States,  and  forty-four  years  in  the  House  of  Representatives  since  the  inaugura- 
tion of  President  Washington,  and  will  have  a  further  representation  in  the  next  Con- 
gress. Such  a  record  is,  in  itself,  a  noble  encomium,  testifying  of  the  ability,  charadler 
and  learning  of  Easton's  sons  by  birth  and  adoption,  in  the  past  and  present,  more  clearly 
than  could  pages  of  eulogy. 

The  Justices  under  the  Proprietary  and  Colonial  Government  from  1752  to  1776  were 
Thomas  Craig,  Hugh  Wilson,  Timothy  Horsefield,  James  Martin,  Louis  Klotz,  Thomas 
Armstrong,  Conrad  Hass,  Charles  Swayne,  William  Craig,  Daniel  Brodhead,  Aaron  Depui, 
and  John  Van  Etten,  appointed  in  1752.  Peter  Trexler,  John  Everett,  and  John  Atkins, 
were  appointed,  probably  to  fill  vacancies,  in  1753.  The  following  gentlemen,  were  for 
the  same  purpose,  selected  in  the  years  named  :  Allen  Depui  in  1755  ;  William  Parsons 
in  1756  ;  William  Plumstead  in  1758  ;  Jacob  Arndt,  Henry  Geiger,  and  Robert  Lyle  in 
1 761  ;  John  Moore  in  1762  ;  James  Allen  in  1764  ;  Christopher  Wagener  and  John  Jen- 
nings in  1765  ;  George  Taylor,  Henry  Kochen,  James  Gaston,  and  Charles  Stewart  in 
1766  ;  John  Van  Campen  and  Garret  Broadhead  in  1770  ;  Robert  Levers  in  1773  ;  Peter 
Kachlein,  Lewis  Nichola,  Jacob  Lerch,  John  Wetzel,  James  Morry,  Felix  Lynn,  and  Isaac 
Lerch  in  1774,  and  John  Okely  and  Nicholas  Depui.  The  court  docket  was  changed  from 
King  George  KL,  to  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  in  June,  1776,  about  one  month 
before  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  As  stated  on  page  124  of  this  history,  the  North- 
ampton County  Committee  of  Safety  had  been  previously  organized  December  21,  1774. 
The  record  of  the  proceedings  of  that  committee  show  the  exercise,  by  the  committee,  of 
civil  and  criminal  jurisdicftion  during  the  years  1776  and  1777.  In  the  latter  year  was 
held  in  June,  the  first  court  under  the  Commonwealth,  before  the  following  Justices  : 
John  Arndt,  Thomas  Silliman,  Thomas  Hartman,  Benjamin  Depui,  Samuel  Rea,  William 
McNair,  Louis  Stecker,  Frederick  Leinbach,  Peter  Moyer,  Matthias  Probst,  Jacob  Hor- 
ner, Jacob  Morey,  James  Van  Aken,  and  Peter  Moyer.  In  1778,  Nicholas  Depui  was 
appointed  ;  in  1779,  Peter  Moyer,  Abraham  Berlin,  James  Byles,  and  Peter  Kohler  ;  in 
1780,  Benjamin  Horner;  in  1784,  Peter  Rhoads  and  John  Byles;  in  1786,  Enos  Beer, 
George  Breining,  Jacob  Rosecrans,  Peter  Conrad,  Benjamin  Van  Campen  ;  in  1787,  Peter 
Kachlein  ;  in  1788,  Christopher  Wagener  and  William  Henry  ;  in  1789,  Jacob  Able  and 
Ludwig  Stehler  ;  in  1790,  William  Jackson,  John  Shaw,  William  Wills,  and  Ezekiel 
Schoonover. 

These  appointments  were  made  under  the  Constitution  of  1776.  It  was  found  defec- 
tive and  inadequate  ;  therefore  a  convention  was  called,  of  which  Samuel  Sitgreaves  was 
a  member,  and  a  new  Constitution  formed  in  1790.  Under  this  Constitution  Jacob  Rush 
was  appointed  President  Judge,  who  held  the  office  till  1806.  His  successors  were  John 
Spayd  ;  in  1809,  Robert  Porter,  who  held  office  for  twenty-one  years  ;  1831,  Garrick  Mal- 
lery  ;  in  1836,  John  Banks  ;  in  1847,  J-  Pringle  Jones  ;  in  1852,  Judges  having  been  made 
ele(?tive,  Washington  McCartney  ;  in  1856,  Henry  D.  Maxwell  ;  in  1858,  John  K.  Find- 
ley  ;  in  1862,  again,  H.  D.  Maxwell  ;  in  1863,  John  W.  Maynard  ;  in  1868,  J.  Pringle 
Jones  ;  in  1869,  A.  Brower  Longaker  ;  in  1874,  W.  S.  Kirkpatrick  ;  in  1875,  Oliver  H. 
Meyers  ;  in  1885,  Howard  J.  Reeder. 

An  A61  authorizing  an  Additional  Law  Judge  had  been  passed  in  1881.  Under  it 
Howard  J.  Reeder  was  appointed,  and  W.  W.   Schuyler  elecfled,  in  the  fall  of  1882.     In 


412  THE  HISTORY  OF 

1884,  Howard  J.  Reeder  was  eledled  Judge,  under  the  new  Constitution  of  1873.  The 
name  President  Judge,  after  nearly  one  hundred  years  of  use,  disappears  from  our  history. 
From  seniority  of  tenure,  W.  W.  Schuyler  was  commissioned  as  Judge  and  H.  J.  Reeder 
as  Additional  Law  Judge,  who  compose  the  present  court. 

The  office  of  Associate  Judge  has  been  held  by  so  many  prominent  citizens  of  Easton 
that  a  brief  reference  is  here  given  to  that  office  and  its  incumbents. 

Under  the  Constitution  of  1790,  the  Governor  was  empowered  to  appoint,  in  each 
county,  not  fewer  than  three  nor  more  than  four  Judges,  who  were  to  reside  therein,  and 
hold  office  during  good  behavior.  The  State  was  to  be  divided  into  circuits,  to  include 
not  more  than  six  nor  fewer  than  three  counties.  A  President  Judge  was  also  to  be 
appointed  for  each  district,  with  the  same  life  tenure  of  office.  This  reference  is  made  to 
explain  the  long  terms  of  service,  hereafter  mentioned. 

The  first  (Associate)  Judges  were  Peter  Rhodes,  William  Henry,  David  Wagener, 
and  John  Mulhallon,  appointed  in  1791.  In  1796,  David  Wagener  was  succeeded  by  Robert 
Traill.  In  1799,  John  Cooper  became  the  successor  of  Robert  Traill.  In  1802,  Daniel 
Wagener  followed  John  Mulhallon.  Judge  Cooper  held  the  office  for  the  long  term  of 
forty  years,  until  1839,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Samuel  Yohe.  Judge  Daniel  Wagener 
held  office  for  thirty-seven  years,  until  1839,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  George  Hess,  Jr. 
From  1806  to  1812  the  Judges  were  Peter  Rhodes,  John  Cooper,  Daniel  Wagener,  and 
William  Henry. 

The  county  of  Lehigh  was  erected  out  of  Northampton,  by  A61  March  6,  1812,  which 
authorized  the  appointment  of  two  Judges  residing  within  its  limits.  From  that  time 
Northampton  had  but  two  Judges,  beside  the  President  Judge  of  the  distridl,  who  lived 
at  Easton  during  his  term. 

In  1844,  James  Kennedy  succeeded  Samuel  Yohe.  In  1849,  John  H.  Keller  followed 
Judge  Kennedy.  In  1850,  Jacob  Weygandt  succeeded  George  Hess.  In  1851,  Isaac  C. 
Wikoff  followed  Judge  Weygandt.  Under  the  A61  of  April  15,  1851,  the  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court  and  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  became  eledlive.  At  the  ensuing 
ele(5lion  Washington  McCartney  was  eletled  President,  and  William  L.  Sebring  and  James 
Kennedy,  Associate  Judges.  In  1856,  George  W.  Stein  succeeded  Judge  Sebring.  In 
1861,  Joseph  Laubach  and  Richard  N.  Merrill  were  ele6led  in  the  place  of  Judges  Ken- 
nedy and  Stein.  In  1871,  Judge  Laubach  was  re-ele<fled  and  Josiah  Cole  elecfted  for  the 
term  of  five  years.  They  were  the  last  of  their  race  in  old  Northampton  ;  for,  under  the 
Constitution  of  1873,  the  office  of  Associate  Judge,  not  learned  in  the  "law,  was  abolished 
in  counties  forming  separate  distri(5ls,  of  which  Northampton  county  was  one.  It  had 
survived  its  usefulness  and  was  properly  abrogated. 

EARLY  MEMBERS  OF  THE  BENCH  AND  BAR  OF  EASTON. 
As  Easton  was  to  be  the  seat  of  justice  for  the  new  county,  lawyers  would  turn  their 
attention  to  the  new  community  where  their  services  would  be  demanded.  The  first  ses- 
sion of  the  Court  opened  in  Easton,  June  16,  1752.  At  this  first  meeting  of  the  Court, 
Louis  Gordon  was  present  and  stated  that  he  was  an  attorney  of  the  bar  in  Bucks  county, 
and  desired  to  be  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Northampton  county.  His  prayer  was  granted 
and  he  became  the  first  lawyer  in  Easton.  "James  Biddle,  afterwards  Judge  Riddle,  was 
the  second  lawyer.      He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northampton  county,  October,  1752. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


413 


He  was  the  King's  Attorney  at  the  organization  of  the  county.  William  Parsons  was 
Prothonotary.  Judge  Porter  says  these  three  gentlemen  may  be  looked  upon  as  the  fathers 
of  the  Northampton  County  Bar."  Robert  Traill  came  to  this  country  in  1763  ;  for  many 
years  pradliced  law,  and  also  occupied  the  position  of  Judge.  "John  Ross  came  to  this 
county,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  about  the  year  1782.  He  occupied  a  prominent 
position  in  his  profession  until  1818,  when  he  was  made  President  Judge  of  the  Seventh 
Judicial  Distric?l,  which  position  he  filled  for  twelve  years.  Then  Governor  Wolf  appointed 
him  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  which  position  he  held  till  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
held  the  office  of  Register,  and  Recorder,  and  Prosecuting  Attorney,  and  member  of  the 
Legislature  from  this  county.  For  a  number  of  years  he  represented  this  districfl  in  Con- 
gress." Samuel  Sitgreaves  came  to  Easton  from  Philadelphia,  and  became  the  leader  of 
the  bar.  "Thomas  B.  Dick  was  a  member  of  the  Easton  bar,  and  Judge  Porter  tells  us 
he  was  quite  a  wit  and  wag,  and  used  to  give  President  Judge  Rush  a  good  deal  of  trouble 
with  his  pranks."  George  Wolf  was  a  member  of  the  Easton  bar  ;  his  history  will  be 
found  in  connedlion  with  the  history  of  the  schools.  "Among  the  members  of  the  bar, 
who  for  their  years  obtained  considerable  celebrity,  were  Robert  May  Brooke  and  Evan 
Rees.  The  former  of  these  was  perhaps  as  sound  a  lawyer  and  as  accurate  a  philologist 
.as  there  was  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  one  of  the  finest  Latin  and  Greek  scholars  of  his 
day,  and  had  studied  law  so  as  to  thoroughly  understand  his  profession,  in  which  his  suc- 
ceiss  for  his  years  was  extraordinary.  He  was  cut  off  in  the  prime  of  his  life.  Evan  Rees 
was  a  man  of  as  much  mind  as  Daniel  Webster  and  loved  law  as  a  science.  He  would 
prefer  reading  Fearne  on  Executory  Devises  and  Contingent  Remainders  to  the  most  enter- 
taining novels.  Shortly  after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  broke  a  blood  vessel  which 
paralyzed  his  exertions,  and  he  soon  went  to  the  grave."  Among  those  who  visited  the 
Easton  bar  was  Joseph  Hopkinson,  the  author  of  "  Hail  Columbia."  His  history  belongs 
to  his  country.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  poet,  an  orator,  a  statesman  and  a  jurist.  He 
was  a  man  of  singular  power  before  a  jury.  His  earnestness  in  his  oratory  gave  evidence 
of  his  honesty,  and  his  powers  were  always  great  and  effective.  He  was  a  very  fluent  man 
and  a  fine  scholar.  The  composition  of  this  one  national  hymn  has  made  his  name  im- 
mortal. Judge  Daniel  Wagner,  the  son  of  David  Wagner  of  Germany,  was  born  in 
Bucks  County,  and  came  to  Easton  when  quite  young.  He  was  Associate  Judge  of  North- 
ampton County  for  thirty-seven  years.  Judge  John  Cooper  was  born  at  Long  Hill,  Morris 
County,  N.  J.  His  father  gave  his  children  the  advantages  of  as  good  an  education  as 
could  be  obtained  at  that  time.  In  November,  1794,  he  removed  to  Easton  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  In  1799,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Common  Pleas 
which  office  he  held  continuously  for  forty  years.  He  held  the  office  the  longest  term  of 
any  in  the  history  of  the  Northampton  Court. 

HON.  ANDREW  H.  REEDER, 
Is  a  name  which  stands  higli  in  the  annals  of  the  Republic,  and  shines  brightly  upon  the  roll  of  Easton's  noble  dead. 
The  family  is  of  English  origin.  John  Reeder  emigrated  to  this  country  before  1656,  and  settled  at  Newton,  L.  I. 
His  name  is  found  in  that  year  on  the  list  of  town  residents.  His  son  John  came  to  Ewing,  N.  J.,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  eighteenth  century,  and  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Burroughs,  by  whom  he  had  a  son  Isaac,  whose 
name  is  signed  to  an  agreement,  August  26,  1703.  Isaac  purchased  of  Zebulon  Heston  the  farm  on  which  he  after- 
wards lived,  and  which  still  remains  in  the  possession  of  his  lineal  descendants.  Isaac  was  twice  married,  the  second 
wife  was  Joanna  Hunt,  and  by  her  he  had  a  son  John,  who  married  Miss  Hanna  Mershon.  Among  the  children  born 
of  this  marriage  was  Absalom  Reeder,  who  married  Ottober  16,  1788,  Christiana  Smith,  of  Easton,  Pa.,  where  he  then 
resided.     Of  this  marriage  was  born  Andrew  Horatio  Reeder,  July  12,  1807.      He  received  the  rudiments  of  a  common 


414 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


school  education,  such  as  was  attainable  in  the  place  of  his  birth.  He  completed  his  education  at  Lawrenceville,  N. 
J.,  and  graduated  with  honor.  Having  selected  the  law  as  his  profession  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  Peter 
Ihrie,  then  one  of  the  prominent  lawyers  of  Easton.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  this  county  in  182S.  In  1831  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Hutter,  daughter  of  Christian  J.  Hutter:  Mr.  Reeder  soon  became  prominent  as  a  lawyer 
and  ready  speaker.  He  was  industrious,  ambitious,  persevering,  and  rapidly  rose  in  the  public  esteem  as  one  of  the 
leading  advocates  at  the  bar  of  Northampton  county.  From  his  early  life  he  took  great  interest  in  the  political  affairs 
of  his  country,  and  possessed  with  a  good  voice  and  pleasing  address  and  strong  argumentative  powers,  he  became 
actively  engaged  in  politics,  and  was  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  champions  of  the  Democracy  of  the  Jefferson  school. 
He  was  a  man  of  stern  integrity,  real  virtue,  and  unflinching  courage.  Having  attained  to  this  high  elevation  in  pub- 
lic esteem,  without  any  effort  or  even  knowl- 
edge on  his  part,  he  was  offered  the  position 
of  Governor  of  Kansas.  By  this  appoint- 
ment he  became  prominent  in  one  of  the 
most  important  political  crises  in  the  history 
of  the  Republic.  And  by  his  upright  con- 
dua,  and  faithfulness  to  the  liberties  of  those 
whom  he  was  sent  to  govern,  he  had  acquired 
political  immorality.  The  people  of  Kansas 
were  divided  into  two  parties,  each  party 
was  terribly  in  earnest.  The  one  deter- 
mined to  establish  slavery,  the  other  to  estab- 
lish freedom  in  the  territory.  The  people 
rushed  from  New  England,  two  thousand 
miles,  through  intervening  States  to  make 
their  home  on  those  distant  and  beautiful 
plains.  Liberty  was  swift-footed,  by  num- 
bers Kansas  was  already  free.  But  from  the 
borders  of  Missouri  came  a  horde  of  marau- 
ders, armed  with  revolvers  and  rifles.  At 
the  first  election  they  took  possession  of  the 
poles,  kept  back  the  free  state  voters,  elected 
a  legislature  by  fraud  and  violence.  A  com- 
mittee came  to  Governor  Reeder  and  asked 
him  to  sign  the  certificates  of  those  claiming 
to  be  elecled  members  of  the  territorial  leg- 
islature. He  courteously,  but  decidedly 
refused.  "  Governor  Reedcr,"said  the  com- 
mittee, "  we  will  give  you  fifteen  minutes  to 
sign  these  certificates,  resign,  or  be  hanged." 
"Gentleman,  I  need  no  fifteen  minutes,  my 
mind  is  made  up,  I  shall  hang,"  was  the 
stern  reply.  Governor  Reeder  had  worked 
too  long  and  too  hard  for  his  reputation  to 
have  it  blasted  by  the  dash  of  his  pen.  The 
boldness  of  his  answer  saved  him  for  the 
time  from  violence.  A  congressional  com- 
mittee arrived  in  Kansas,  consisting  of 
Messrs.  Howard,  Sherman  and  Oliver,  to 
examine  into  the  condition  of  affairs.  The 
committee  called  the  Governor  to  the  stand 
and  he  gave  them  to  understand  the  situa- 
tion, and  fearlessly  exposed  the  conduct  of 
the  border  ruffians.  Governor  Reeder  had  been  superceded  by  ex-Governor  Shannon,  of  Ohio,  who  plainly  told  the 
people  of  Kansas,  in  an  address  on  his  arrival,  that  he  was  in  favor  of  slavery  in  the  new  State.  This  enraged  the 
free  state  men,  and  they  repudiated  VVhitefield  as  their  delegate  in  Congress,  so  fraudulently  elected,  and  elected 
Reeder  in  his  stead.  There  were  two  delegates  elected  to  Congress.  The  pro-slavery  men  saw  this  would  necessitate 
a  contest  in  the  House,  which  they  wished  to  avoid.  And  they  thought  the  best  way  to  prevent  their  contest  in  Con- 
gress was  to  put  Reeder  out  of  the  way,  and  hence  he  was  marked  for  death.  While  the  committee  was  present,  his 
friends  protected  him,  but  it  soon  became  evident  they  could  protect  him  no  longer,  and  it  was  thought  advisable  for 
him  to  seek  his  own   safety.     Colonel    Buford,  of  Alabama,  came  up  to  Kansas  City  and  thence  to  Lawrence  with   a 


Gov.   Andrew  H.  Reeder, 
is  Disguise  as  a  Wood  Chopper. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  415 

regiment  of  well  armed  "  roughs  "  which  he  had  recruited  in  South  Carolina,  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  aiding  the 
Missourians  in  making  Kansas  a  slave  state.  They  encamped  close  at  hand  and  watched  their  game.  That  night 
Governor  Reeder  left  Lawrence  and  went  rapidly  to  Kansas  City,  arriving  there  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  It 
was  known  in  Buford's  camp  early  in  the  morning  that  the  Governor  was  gone.  Enraged  and  chagrined  the  hounds 
were  let  loose  ;  roads  were  picketed,  wagons  overhauled,  steamboats  were  searched,  and  every  precaution  taken  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  the  game.  While  the  guests  were  at  dinner  at  the  hotel  in  Kansas  City  some  of  Buford's  men 
entered  the  house.  Their  sudden  appearance  brought  every  one  to  his  feet.  They  were  confronted  by  Colonel  Eld- 
ridge,  the  proprietor,  demanding  their  business.  They  replied  that  they  came  to  search  the  house  for  Reeder.  The 
proprietor  called  for  their  authority.  They  replied  they  had  no  papers  only  an  order  from  "headquarters." 
Col.  Eldridge  replied,  "  I  will  not  resist  any  legal  process,  but  you  cannot  search  this  house  without  it  unless  you  walk 
over  the  dead  body  of  every  man  in  it."  This  was  promptly  agreed  to  by  the  guests.  They  swore  they  would  get  the 
authority  and  make  the  search.  Governor  Reeder  was  concealed  in  the  hotel  for  two  weeks  ;  they  were  weeks  of 
an.xious  care  and  watching  on  the  part  of  his  friends.  There  were  always  sick  people  up  stairs  to  whom  meals  were 
carried,  but  the  Governor's  appetite  was  always  appeased.  After  the  sacking  of  Lawrence  and  burning  of  the  Free 
State  Hotel  the  "ruffians"  returned  to  Kansas  City  They  had  suspicions  that  the  Governor  was  concealed  in  the 
house.  The  inmates  were  prepared  for  aaion.  The  danger  was  increasing,  and  the  hours  seemed  long.  Through  a 
strange  providence  a  steamer  lay  at  the  wharf  discharging  her  cargo.  It  was  whispered  by  a  friend  that  the  captain 
was  a  "free  state  man."  He  was  going  up  the  river  and  would  return  on  a  certain  day.  Light  began  to  break  in 
upon  the  soul  of  the  hunted  hero.  The  matter  was  arranged  with  the  captain  to  stop  on  the  way  down  at  a  certain 
place  and  take  in  a  passenger  :  the  signal  was  understood.  But  how  was  the  Governor  to  get  away  from  the  hotel  to  the 
place  of  embarkation?  The  hotel  was  watched,  every  person  emerging  from  the  hall-way  was  closely  scanned.  The 
plan  was  formed  for  the  Governor  to  pass  out  of  the  hotel  into  the  streets  in  disguise.  The  next  day  was  the  day  to 
start.  Only  one  more  night  in  Kansas  City.  These  long  hours  were  an.xious,  sleepless  hours.  The  account  from 
which  the  writer  has  thus  far  gleaned  these  fafls  was  written  by  a  lady  who  was  an  eye  witness  and  an  anxious  parti- 
cipant in  the  preparation  for  the  final  moment.  I  now  give  her  words.  "  The  morning  dawned  bright  and  beautiful. 
This  day  was  to  be  a  decisive  one  for  weal  or  woe  for  the  Governor,  and  as  the  hour  approached  our  an.xiety  and 
excitement  rose  up  to  fever  heat.  The  time  was  close  at  hand  when  Governor  Reeder  was  to  pass  out  from  us,  with 
the  chances  that  he  should  ever  return  greatly  against  him.  After  he  had  dressed  himself  in  his  disguise  we  all  met 
in  his  room  to  bid  him  a  last  farewell.  The  disguise  was  complete  and  turned  our  sorrow  at  parting  to  suppressed 
mirth.  The  Governor  was  cheerful,  and  even  anxious  to  cast  the  die.  He  gave  ns  a  specimen  of  acting  in  his  new 
role  which  beggars  description,  and  held  us  for  the  time  in  capital  humor  ;  but  at  the  last  moment,  when  he  left  his 
room,  not  a  dry  eye  was  in  the  party.  The  door  was  closed  behind  us,  and  the  Governor  left  to  his  own  refletlions 
and  his  own  self-reliance.  That  evening  just  before  dark  an  Irishman  was  seen  to  enter  the  otBce  of  the  hotel,  dressed 
in  a  slouch  hat,  hickory  shirt,  blue  overalls,  so  short  as  to  expose  a  heavy  pair  of  brogan  shoes  on  his  feet,  carrying  an 
axe  on  his  shoulder,  and  smoking  a  short  clay  pipe.  He  stopped  but  a  moment,  inquired  for  work,  any  wood  to  cut, 
or  if  he  could  be  informed  where  he  could  get  work.  Not  getting  a  satisfaiftory  answer  he  sauntered  out  on  the  side- 
walk and  repeated  the  inquiry  of  the  bystanders,  then  moved  olT  up  the  river  and  disappeared  behind  the  bluff. 
At  eleven  o'clock  that  night  Edward  S.  Eldridge,  a  young  brother  of  the  landlord  of  the  hotel,  accompanied  by  his 
wife,  strolled  out  for  a  walk,  going  up  the  river  around  the  point  of  the  bluff.  Nearing  the  mouth  of  a  cave  they 
encountered  the  Irishman  holding  his  axe  in  the  attitude  of  attack.  Eldridge  called  out  to  him  not  to  strike,  with 
that  he  dropped  his  weapon  and  approached.  They  knew  each  other.  After  a  moment  of  hasty  conversation  the  trio 
went  down  to  the  water's  edge,  got  into  a  boat  and  floated  quietly  down  the  stream  to  Randolph  Landing,  about  five 
miles  below  the  city.  The  steamer  which  was  expefted  to  take  Governor  Reeder  down  the  river  was  to  return  this 
night,  but  did  not  reach  Kansas  City  until  near  noon  the  following  day.  The  captain  stood  by  the  side  of  the  pilot  as 
she  gracefully  curved  her  way  out  into  the  stream,  pawing  the  muddy  water  with  her  side  wheels  in  very  anxiety  to 
be  on  her  way.  Near  Randolph  Landing  the  captain  ordered  the  pilot  to  '  round  her  to.'  The  pilot  could  see  no 
signal,  but  the  captain  insisted  that  one  had  been  made.  On  nearing  the  landing  our  Irishman  inquired  '  if  he 
could  get  a  deck  passage  to  St.  Charles  ?  '  The  captain  cursed  him  for  delaying  his  boat,  but  said,  '  get  aboard,  you 
old  scallawag,  I  won't  wait  two  minutes  for  you.'  He  threw  his  axe  ahead  of  him  and  clambered  on  board,  and 
Governor  Reeder  had  escaped  from  Kansas,  '  out  of  the  jaws  of  death,  out  of  the  gates  of  hell.'  "  We  have  thus  fol- 
lowed the  fugitive  governor,  flying  from  murderous  demons,  till  he  is  on  the  steamer  sailing  down  the  Kansas  River. 
The  diary  which  the  Governor  kept  from  the  time  the  clouds  began  to  gather  over  his  pathway,  reveals  the  feelings 
of  a  loving  husband  and  father.  During  his  concealment  in  Kansas  City,  he  had  many  lonely  hours,  during  which  his 
mind  would  recur  to  the  "  Idolized  wife  and  precious,  dearly  loved  children."  In  another  place  we  read  "Were  it 
not  for  the  loved  ones  at  home,  I  would  show  those  blood  hounds  how  an  honest  man  can  die.  But  when  I 
think  of  those  dear  ones  at  home,  my  throat  chokes  and  my  eyes  fill  with  tears."  He  could  hear  the  whistles  of  the 
river  steamboats,  and  for  many  hours  as  each  successive  one  passed  he  hoped  to  hear  his  friends  say,  "  Come,  Gov- 
ernor, the  boat  is  ready."  But  he  seemed  like  Tantalus.  He  could  see  his  bloodthirsty  pursuers,  hear  their  yells, 
and  bitter  curses  heaped  on  his  aching  head.  Every  hour  brought  the  danger  nearer.  On  the  igth  of  May  he  wrote 
in  his  diary  :  "  For  the  first  time  I  begin  to  despond.     I  think  constantly  of  my  dear  wife  and   Ida.     They  will  be 


4i6  THE   HISTORY  OF 

worked  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  excitement  at  the  uncertainty  of  my  fate."  The  feeling  of  doubt  grew  deeper  in 
the  mind  of  this  faithful  officer,  deserted  by  the  man  who  placed  him  in  danger.  Looking  in  the  pocket  of  the  diary, 
we  find  a  carefully  written  will  which  was  left  in  the  hands  of  a  friend  before  he  went  out  of  his  hotel  "to  look  for 
work."  What  emotions  struggled  in  the  soul  as  Reeder  elbowed  his  way  through  the  office  of  the  hotel,  crowded  by 
those  who  were  preparing  to  search  the  house  and  take  his  life,  he  has  never  told  us,  they  were  too  intricate  for  the 
pen.  The  bowie  knives  sticking  in  their  belts,  revolvers  protruding  from  their  pockets,  the  disposition  of  devils  lurk- 
ing in  every  lineament  of  their  features,  told  him  too  plainly  his  fate  if  he  should  be  recognized.  As  many  gaping 
wounds  as  were  counted  on  the  dead  body  of  Ca;sar  would  end  his  life.  He  must  aft  his  part  well,  he  must  play  the  Irish- 
man so  well  that  keen,  Argus  eyes  could  not  detect  him,  while  he  drives  down  the  feelings  of  husband  and  father  deep 
into  his  own  soul,  and  keeps  them  under  control  by  his  imperious  will.  But  recurring  again  to  our  Irish  friend  on  the 
steamer  wending  her  way  down  the  Missouri  River.  He  did  not  dare  to  go  to  St.  Louis,  fearing  a  slave  holder's  war- 
rant. He  could  leave  this  steamer  and  step  into  one  bound  for  Alton,  but  the  Briarian  arms  of  the  deadly  pursuers 
might  meet  him  there.  The  steamer  laid  up  for  the  night  at  St.  Charles,  a  city  above  St.  Louis  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
river.  It  was  planned  to  have  him  leave  the  vessel,  and  enter  the  dark  woods  and  seek  his  own  safety.  Two  friends 
would  go  with  him.  "  But,  to  my  amazement,  two  of  the  deck  hands  were  at  the  guards  watching.  My  compan- 
ions were  not  armed.  I  had  two  revolvers  and  a  knife,  I  supplied  them,  we  were  prepared  to  fight  it  out  if  need  be. 
A  violent  thunder  storm  came  up,  and  we  started.  We  struck  through  the  woods,  lost  the  road  twice,  traveled  on,  and 
at  8  o'clock,  A.M.,  struck  the  Mississippi  River  fifteen  miles  above  Alton."  He  hired  a  man  to  take  him  across  the  river 
in  a  skiff;  on  the  2-th  of  May  he  was  in  Illinois  ;  he  was  in  a  Free  State,  and  "  Richard  was  himself  again."  The 
lightning,  on  subtle  wing,  had  brought  the  joyful  news  to  that  "idolized  noble  wife,"  to  "  Ida  and  the  boys."  There 
was  a  happy  home  in  Easton  before  the  husband  and  father  came.  May  29th,  "  put  on  my  disguise  in  the  private 
room  of  the  photographer,  and  had  photograph  taken  for  my  dear  wife."  He  went  to  Chicago,  Bloomington  and 
Detroit,  raising  his  voice  in  trumpet  tones  for  aid  for  Kansas.  He  plead  for  10,000  men  to  go  and  take  care  of  Kansas. 
Thousands  were  soon  on  the  way,  and  when  at  length  a  fair  vote  could  be  had,  slavery  was  buried  under  a  majority 
of  10,000,  and  Kansas  was  free.  He  returned  to  Easton,  and  in  the  quiet  of  private  life  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days. 

HON.  RICHARD  BRODHEAD, 
Was  for  many  years  a  prominent  member  of  the  Northampton  Bar.  He  died  in  1863,  and  on  the  iSth  of  September 
the  members  of  the  bar  met  in  the  office  of  A.  E.  Brown,  Esq.,  and  adopted  resolutions  expressing  the  feelings  of  the 
community  and  of  themselves.  Upon  offering  the  resolutions,  Matthew  Hale  Jones,  Esq.,  spoke  affei5lionately  of  the 
dead  senator.  They  were  students  together  at  law  and  associated  in  its  practice.  He  came  to  Easton  in  1830,  and 
entered  the  office  of  Judge  Porter,  and  was  afterwards  admitted  to  the  bar.  Not  having  a  taste  for  the  praaice  of  the 
law,  he  turned  his  attention  to  politics.  He  was  eleifled  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  he  was  next  elei5led  to  Congress 
from  this  distrii5t,  for  two  terms.  He  was  then  sent  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  by  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. His  private  characSer  was  good,  and  his  public  charader  without  reproach.  He  was  kind  and  unostentatious, 
whether  at  home  or  abroad,  at  the  bar  or  in  private  life.  It  was  a  virtue  of  Mr.  Brodhead  that  he  never  lost  his  self- 
possession,  even  in  the  most  trying  circumstances.  The  meeting  was  addressed  by  Hon.  H.  D.  Maxwell  and  O.  H. 
Meyers,  Esq.     Each  of  these  gentleman  spoke  in  words  expressive  of  the  highest  regard. 

ALEXANDER  E.  BROWN, 
Was  for  forty-two  years  a  member  of  the  Northampton  county  bar,  and  a  resident  of  Easton.  He  was  born  in 
New  York  city.  His  father  was  a  sea  captain,  and  both  his  parents  were  people  of  culture  and  took  pains  in 
his  education  and  training.  There  were  three  children,  one  daughter  and  two  sons.  The  daughter  died  quite 
young.  John,  the  brother  of  Alexander,  became  a  prominent  lawyer  and  an  orator,  pracfticed  his  profession  in 
Morristown.  N.  J.,  and  died  there.  The  subjecft  of  this  sketch  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Easton,  August  24, 
1825.  He  is  remembered  as  a  gentleman  of  easy  manners  and  pleasing  address,  affable  to  all  with  whom  he 
came  in  coutaifl.  He  would  be  polite  to  the  poor  as  he  would  with  the  rich,  be  social  with  a  colored  man  as 
readily  as  with  the  white.  Mr.  Brown  was  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  the  history  of  the  bar.  He  was  a 
ready  and  fine  speaker,  and  quite  an  orator.  He  was  quick  to  see  a  weak  spot  in  his  opponents'  argument  and 
strike  it  with  his  lance.  He  was  ready  with  his  wit  when  occasion  required  it,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  : 
He  was  called  to  plead  a  case  in  Allentown.  A  house  had  been  sold  by  the  sheriff  in  an  unfinished  condition, 
the  carpenter  had  nailed  his  benches  to  the  studding  inside  the  building.  When  the  carpenter  came  for  the 
benches  the  purchaser  refused  to  let  him  have  them,  saying  they  were  fast  and  a  part  of  the  building.  The 
carpenter  brought  suit  and  employed  Mr.  Brown.  In  his  plea  Mr.  Brown  said  :  "He  was  at  a  loss  to  know 
what  a  carpenter's  bench  had  to  do  with  a  gentleman's  parlor."  "  Why,"  said  he,  "we  have  an  old  court  crier  in 
Easton  named  Jakie  Diehl.  He  fell  asleep  one  day  sitting  in  his  chair  which  was  fast  to  the  floor.  Some 
heartless  wag  placed  a  cake  of  shoemaker's  wax  under  him,  it  had  melted,  and  when  he  awoke  and  attempted 
to  rise  he  found  he  was  fast.     Now,  if  the  Court  House  had  been  sold  at  that  moment,  poor  Jakie  Piehl  woulil 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  417 

have  gone  with  it."  He  won.  Mr.  Brown  died  in  Easton,  in  May,  1S67.  His  poem  on  the  new  Court  House 
(published  elsewhere)  is  a  fine  parody  on  the  "  House  that  Jack  Built."  The  following /a://;rf;V  poem,  a  parody 
on  Woodworth's  "Oaken  Bucket,"  is  still  remembered  by  many  people  of  Easton.  Those  who  remember  the 
the  scenes  he  so  graphically  describes,  still  laugh  as  they  recall  the  lines  : 

THE  OLD  COURT  HOUSE. 
How  dear  to  my  heart  is  Northampton's  old  Court  House, 

And  the  scenes  which  fond  memory  brings  up  to  my  view. 
The  Ash-heap,  the  Mudholes,  and  all  the  loose  boxes. 

And  the  angles  that  loafers  made  odorous  too. 
The  circular  raihng,  the  iron-bound  paling, 

And  grove  of  horse  chestnuts,  so  graceful  and  rare. 
Where  fanciful  Crinoline  nightly  was  trailing 

Around  the  old  Court  House  that  stood  in  the  Square. 

The  eight-cornered  Court  House,  the  four-gabled  Court  House, 
The  bill-plastered  Court  House  that  stood  in  the  Square. 

O!  there  was  the  hydrant,  and  box  that  stood  by  it. 

Where  topers  oft  staggered  their  "coppers"  to  cool. 
The  door  of  the  dark  narrow  entry  was  nigh  it, 

That  led  to  the  bar,  and  the  penitent's  stool. 
The  low  ceiling  court  room,  its  cobwebs  and  paper 

In  long  graceful  festoons,  hung  quietly  tliere  ; 
The  Bar  and  the  Bench,  and  the  stove  and  its  vapor. 

And  back  of  the  Jury  box,  Mahlon's  old  chair. 

In  the  eight-cornered  Court  House,  the  four-gabled  Court  House, 
The  bill-plastered  Court  House,  that  stood  in  the  Square. 

Oh  !  how  shall  I  ever  forget  the  old  breastwork, 

Which  blocked  up  two  streets,  from  the  travel  and  view, 
Its  black-garnished  gables,  and  time-honored  belfry, 

And  all  its  old  windows,  and  its  weathercock  too. 
In  vain  you  may  tell  me,  of  West  Ward's  fine  temple, 

Or  Green  Lane's  inducement  to  promenade  there. 
My  fancy  reverts  to  the  scenes  of  the  "  Circle," 

And  the  dear  shabby  Court  House,  that  stood  in  the  Square. 
The  eight-cornered  Court  House,  the  four-gabled  Court  House, 
The  bill-plastered  Court  House,  that  stood  in  the  Square. 

No,  no,  the  old  Court  House,  I  ne'er  shall  forget  it 

For  that  costly  jewel  on  top  of  the  hill ; 
The  county  already  has  cause  to  regret  it. 

And  the  taxpayers'  pockets  most  certainly  will. 
The  Lawyers,  and  Judges,  and  Jury  were  puzzled 

To  hear  what  a  witness,  or  others  would  say. 
And  those  awful  bad  steps,  leading  down  to  the  Major's, 

Some  night,  for  a  Coroner  loudly  will  pray. 

The  four-cornered  Court  House,  the  six-columned  Court  House, 
That  cost  eighty  thousand  round  dollars  "they  say." 

HON.  JAMES  MADISON  PORTER,    LL.  D. 

James  M.  Porter  was  born  in  Selma,  one  mile  north  of  Norristown,  Pa.,  January  6,  1793.  His  father  was  Genera! 
Andrew  Porter,  an  officer  in  the  Army  of  Washington.  James  was  the  youngest  son  and  received  the  rudiments  of 
his  education  under  the  immediate  care  of  his  parents.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the  land  office  of  the  State,  as  he 
held  the  office  of  Surveyor  General.  In  1818,  the  position  of  Deputy  Attorney  General  of  Northampton  County  was 
offered  him.  He  accepted  the  position  and  removed  to  Easton.  At  the  death  of  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  and  eleftion  of 
George  Wolf  he  became  the  leader  of  the  bar.  In  183S,  he  was  elefted  a  member  of  the  convention  to  reform  the 
Constitution  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  candidate  for  the  presiding  officer  of  the  convention.  The  Whigs  and  Anti- 
masons  had  a  majority  of  one,  and  Hon.  John  Sergeant  was  elefted  by  that  vote.  In  1843,  he  was  appointed  Secre- 
tary of  War  which  position  he  filled  to  the  entire  acceptance  of  all  members  of  the  army  with  whom  he  came  in  contacfl. 


4i8 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


But  ulieii  the  Senate  met,  his  nomination  was  rejedecl  by  a  party  vote,  and  he  returned  to  Easton.  In  the  fall  of  1S49, 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Legislature.  In  1S53,  he  was  elected  President  Judge  of  the  Twenty-second  Judicial 
Distridl,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Wayne,  Pike,  Monroe  and  Carbon.  He  was  a  warm  friend  of  Lafayette  College, 
and  was  for  twenty-four  years  a  teacher  without  remuneration.  He  was  for  twenty-five  years  President  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  and  performed  all  the  duties  without  pay.  He  was  President  of  the  Delaware  Bridge  Company,  the  Belvt- 
dere  and  Delaware  Railroad,  and  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad.  In  1843,  he  received  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  from  Marshall 
College,  the  only  degree  he  ever  received. 

HON.  WASHINGTON  McCARTNEY,  LL.  D., 
Was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvanian,  on  the  24th  day  of  August 


He  was  left  an  orphan  when 
fe  depended  upon  his  own  feeble  efforts.     He  attended  the 


still  in  his  childhood,  and  much  of  his  future  success  i 
common  schools  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age. 

In  1S34  he  graduated  with  high  honors  at  Jefferson  College,  at  Cannonsburg,  Pa.,  and  was  appointed  Professor  of 
Mathematics  in  Lafayette  College,  at  Easton,  Pa.,  in  1835.  Here  he  continued  until  1836,  when  the  faculty  of  his 
Alma  Mater  called  him  back,  and  he  returned  then  to  accept  the  Professorship  of  Mathematics  and  Modern  Langua- 


ges, at  Jefferson  College. 


!  remained  there  about  one  year,  fulfilling  the  duties  of  that  position  with  great  satisfac- 
tion to  faculty  and  students,  when  he  again  returned  to  home  at 
Easton,  and  resumed  the  Professorship  in  Lafayette  College. 
Here  he  remained  until  September,  1S43,  when  he  resigned,  and 
applied  himself  to  his  professional  duties,  in  which  he  was  success- 
ful and  popular.  In  September,  1844,  he  was  again  appointed  to 
the  same  Professorship,  in  which  he  remained  until  1S46,  when  he 
again  resigned.  In  1849  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  Mental 
and  Moral  Philosophy,  which  position  he  held  for  several  years. 

Having  applied  himself  diligently  to  the  study  of  law-,  which  he 
had  chosen  as  his  profession,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  North- 
ampton county,  in  January,  1838,  and  continued  in  the  practice 
most  of  his  life,  with  but  few  interruptions,  caused  by  different 
calls  to  official  duties.  During  the  years  1846,  1847  and  1848,  he 
served  as  Deputy  Attorney  General  of  this  county,  for  which  his 
legal  talent,  his  clear  judgment,  and  moral  integrity  eminently 
fitted  him.  After  his  term  of  office  expired,  his  power  as  a  jurist, 
and  his  clear,  honest  judgment  having  become  a  matter  of  general 
comment,  and  the  amended  Constitution  having  become  a  law, 
under  which  the  appointment  of  judges  was  ieft  to  the  votes  of  the 
people,  he  was  nominated  and  eledled  President  Judge  of  the 
Third  Judicial  Distria  in  1851. 

Prior  to  this  period  of  his  life,  however,  he  had  established  a 
Law  School,  in  which  he  prepared  young  men  for  the  profession 
and  practice  of  law,  in  which  many  of  the  legal  minds  which  after- 
wards refleited  credit  on  the  Bar  of  our  county,  were  formed  and 
moulded  for  the  work  before  them.  In  this  enterprise  he  took 
great  interest  and  pride,  watching  the  development  of  the  mental 
powers  of  his  piipils  with  the  same  pleasure,  as  the  enthusiastic 
gardener  or  naturalist  experiences  in  watching  the  germing  and 
unfolding  of  leaves  and  blossoms  of  a  new  and  rare  exotic.  It  became  a  success,  accomplishing  so  much  good,  that 
in  the  year  1854,  by  special  act  of  the  legislature  it  was  duly  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  "  Union  Law  School." 
This  school  was  kept  in  successful  operation  to  the  time  of  his  death.  In  1852  the  honorary  degree  of  LL.  D.  was 
most  worthily  conferred  on  him  by  Marshall  College. 

In  April,  1839,  he  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Maxwell,  daughter  of  the  late  William  Maxwell,  Esq.,  of  New  Jersey, 
with  whose  life,  honest  and  patriotic,  the  local  historian  is  familiar. 

Judge  McCartney  was  one  of  the  most  influential  agents  in  the  establishment  and  support  of  our  present  excellent 
public  schools.  While  Governor  Wolf  was  the  pioneer  in  the  first  movement  for  the  introduction  of  free  schools  in  our 
community,  and  will  be  remembered  as  long  as  our  children  reap  the  benefits  of  a  free  education,  still  those  who  so 
faithfully  carried  on  and  advanced  the  work,  when  the  old  Governor  had  retired  from  the  stage  of  action,  must  be 
credited  with  the  present  results  of  so  grand  a  projefl.  The  excellent  High  School,  now  accomplishing  so  much  good 
for  our  young  men  and  women,  was  perhaps  created  by  him  or  his  influence  more  than  by  any  other.  In  April,  1S50, 
an  Aa  of  Assembly  was  passed  authorizing  the  creation  of  a  High  School  in  Easton.  Mr.  McCartney,  then  an  active 
member  of  the  Board  of  School  Diredors,  lent  all  his  energies  to  effeft  the  passage  of  this  ad,  and  to  him  mainly  was 
its  success  attributed.    He  was  an  author  of  rare  ability.     In  1S84  he  published  a  work  upon  "Differential  Calculus," 


Washington  McCartney,  LL.  D. 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  419 

which  was  adopted  as  a  text-hook  in  many  of  our  best  colleges  in  the  land,  and  met  with  almost  universal  favor  among 
mathematical  scholars.  In  1847  he  published  a  "  History  of  the  Origin  and  Progress  of  the  United  States,  "  which  was 
received  by  the  learned,  and  endorsed  by  the  press,  as  the  best  work  upon  the  subject  ever  emanating  from  our  press. 

As  a  lawyer  he  was  equalled  by  few  in  his  great  knowledge  of  all  professional  lore;  cultured,  refined,  dignified, 
yet  generous  and  unassuming,  he  was  not  only  honored,  but  loved  by  all.  In  every  good  work,  aiming  at  the  good  of 
the  community  or  individuals,  he  was  interested.  Where  a  leader  was  needed  in  reformatory  matters,  he  was 
engaged.     Every  moral  or  benevolent  enterprise  found  in  him  a  champion. 

As  a  citizen  he  was  kind,  corteous,  affable.  Tender-hearted  almost  to  a  fault,  want  or  suffering  never  appealed  to 
him  in  vain.     God-fearing  and  man-loving,  he  ever  seemed  to  feel  a  deep  consciousness  of  duty  towards  all. 

In  July,  1856,  he  died  ;  died  as  he  lived,  calmly,  peacefully,  with  the  favor  of  his  God,  and  the  love  of  his  fellow- 
men  crowning  his  pale  forehead  with  a  halo  of  glory.  The  whole  community  mourned  his  loss,  for  he  belonged  to 
them  all.  The  Judges  of  the  Court,  the  members  of  the  Bar,  members  of  Council  and  School  Board,  teachers  and 
scholars  of  the  High  School,  faculty  and  students  of  Lafayette  College,  law  students,  members  of  beneficial  societies, 
and  a  large  concourse  of  people,  men,  women  and  children,  followed  all  that  was  left  of  Judge  McCartney,  the  friend 
of  them  all,  to  his  last  earthly  home  in  the  cemetery,  where  he  sleeps  to-day,  still  remembered  by  those  that  knew  him 
then,  as  well  as  by  those  whom  he  benefited  by  his  deeds,  though  never  seen  by  themselves. 

HON.  HENRY  D.  MAXWELL 
Was  born  in  Flemington,  N.  J.,  December  5,  1812.  He  was  prepared  to  enter  college  at  fifteen  years  of  age,  but  the 
death  of  his  father  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  cherished  design,  and  bend  his  energies  to  aid  in  supporting  his 
mother  and  a  large  family  of  children.  He  spent  nearly  two  years  in  teaching  in  Pennsylvania,  and  then  returned  to 
Flemington,  and  commenced  the  study  of  law  under  Nathaniel  Sa.vton,  Esq.  He  then  went  to  Somerville,  and  con- 
tinued his  studies  with  Thomas  A.  Hartwell,  Esq.,  and  completed  his  studies  with  his  cousin,  Hon.  John  P.  B.  Maxwell, 
at  Belvidere.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northampton,  Pa.,  November  7,  1834,  and  opened  his  office  in  Easton  in 
1835.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania  in  December,  1836,  and  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States  in  1841.  Shortly  after  he  opened  his  office  in  Easton,  he  associated  himself  in  partnership  with  the  Hon. 
James  M.  Porter,  and  continued  in  that  connettion  for  several  year?.  In  184S  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Attorney 
General  for  the  county  of  Northampton,  and  again  in  1849.  In  1850,  his  health  having  been  impaired  by  too  close 
application,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Taylor  Consul  to  Trieste  in  Austria,  to  which  post  he  repaired,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  exercise  of  his  duties  for  about  one  year,  when  he  resigned  and  returned  to  his  home  and  the  pursuit. 
of  his  profession.  He  continued  in  the  discharge  of  these  duties  till  in  July,  1856,  when  he  was  appointed  by  Gov- 
ernor Pollock  President  Judge  of  the  Third  Judicial  Distritt  of  Pennsylvania  to  succeed  his  brother-in-law,  the  Hon- 
Washington  McCai  tney,  who  had  died.  He  was  again  appointed  in  December,  1856,  and  continued  in  the  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  the  important  post  till  December  i,  1857.  Judge  Maxwell  left  the  bench  with  the  kindliest  feelings  of 
all  parties.  He  was  among  the  purest,  best  and  most  learned  of  the  Easton  bar.  Through  his  instrumentality  a 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was  formed  in  Easton  in  December,  1856.  He  was  Secretary  of  the  Fire  Insurance 
Company  of  Northampton  county.  Secretary  and  Direftor  of  the  Easton  Gas  Company,  and  Direflor  of  the  Easton 
Cemetery.  He  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  Direftors  of  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Vice  President  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society.  He  received  the 
Honorary  Degree  of  A.  M.  from  Jefferson  College  in  1844.     He  died  Oc5tober  3,  1874. 

THOMAS  J.  ROGERS 
Was  a  prominent  man  for  many  years  in  Easton.     He  was  aaive  in  the  militia  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  general.     He 
was  proprietor  and  editor  of  a  newspaper,  and  a  prominent  politician.     He  was  a  man  of  wide  influence  in  this  con- 
gressional distritt.     He  served  four  terms  in  Congress.     In  1831  he  was  appointed  a  naval  officer  in  Philadelphia  where 
he  died. 

HON.   PHILIP  JOHNSON 

Was  for  twenty  years  a  member  of  the  bar  in  Easton.  There  are  many  who  still  remember  his  genial  manners.  He 
was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  but  later  in  life  he  removed  to  Mount  Bethel,  Pa.  He  was  a  student  in  Lafayette. 
After  leaving  college  he  went  to  Mississippi  where  he  remained  four  or  five  years.  He  returned  to  this  county,  and 
in  Easton  pursued  his  legal  studies  under  Washington  McCartney,  LL.  D.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  November  21, 
1847.  In  1848  he  was  elec5ted  Clerk  of  Quarter  Sessions.  In  1853  and  1S54  he  was  eletled  to  the  Legislature.  In  1859 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Revenue  Commissions  of  the  State.  In  i860  he  was  eleaed  a  member  of  Congress, 
and  was  re-elefted  in  1862  and  1864.  His  third  term  would  have  expired  March  4,  1867.  Politically  Mr.  Johnson  was 
a  Democrat.  Socially  he  was  a  genial,  affable  gentleman.  He  was  absent  from  his  seat  only  a  week  when  the  House 
of  Representatives  was  startled  by  the  news  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Washington,  January  31,  1867.  He  was 
a  popular  man,  and  the  news  of  his  sudden  death  spread  a  gloom  over  Easton.  There  were  solemn  funeral  services 
in  the  Hall  of  Representatives,  his  remains  lying  in  front  of  the  Speaker's  desk.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the 
Chaplain.  His  remains  were  placed  in  a  vault  to  remain  till  brought  to  Easton.  Having  been  a  mason,  the  funeral 
services  in  Easton  were  conducted  by  that  fraternity.     He  was  buried  in  the  Easton  Cemetery. 


420 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


\V: 


HON.  WILLIAM  MUTCH LER 
,  born  December  21st,  1831,  at  Chain  Dam,  on  the  banks  of  the  Lehigh,  Northampton  County,  Pennsylvania.     His 


father  was  a  farmer  of  the  old  school— frugal,  industrious,  conservative.  The  boys  were  trained  to  habits  of  industry,  and 
when  in  1838,  their  mother  was  left  a  widow,  the  oldest  two  were  able  to  help  her  carry  on  the  farm.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  but  a  child  of  seven  years,  yet  at  that  early  age  he  had  to  do  his  share  of  the  labor.  In  the  winter  he  went 
to  school  and  in  summer  he  worked  on  the  farm  and  as  a  day  laborer.  He  had  made  sufficiently  good  use  of  his  time 
in  the  winter  school  to  have  as  a  young  man  a  desire  for  knowledge,  and  he  counted  himself  very  fortunate  to  be  able 
to  attend  the  academy  ol  Dr.  Vanderveer  in  Easton  for  two  terms.  Then  he  entered  the  law  office  of  his  brother,  H. 
M.  Mutchler,  and  studied  law.  From  1854  to  1S60  he  was  Deputy  Sheriffof  the  county,  and  in  1856  married  a  daughter 
of  Sheriff  Jacob  Cope,  of  Nazareth.  He  took  a  very  active  part  in  politics  as  a  young  man  and  was  a  most  earnest, 
consistent  and  uncompromising  democrat,  who  soon  became  known  as  a  tireless  and  able  worker  for  the  success  of  the 
party  to  which  his  allegiance  had  been  given.  By  a  majority  he  was  elected  Prothonotary  in  1863  and  served  the  county 
with  such  marked  abilitv  that  he  was  renominated  and  elected  for  a  second  term  to  that  important  office.     In  1.S67  he 


was  appointed  Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue  by  President  Johnson,  and  served  until  May  1S69.  In  1S69-70  he  was 
Chairman  of  the  Democratic  State  Committee,  and  his  conduct  of  that  memorable  campaign  in  this  State  won  the  ad- 
miration of  politicians  and  gave  him  great  prominence  in  the  party  Councils.  He  was  eletted  to  the  forty-fourth,  forty- 
seventh,  forty-eighth  and  fifty-first  Congresses  and  his  carefulness,  clearness,  wise  conservatism  and  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  Congressional  routine  has  made  him  conspicuous  as  one  of  the  most  useful  among  the  working  members. 
William  Mutchler  is  a  born  political  leader,  thoroughly  versed  in  State  and  national  politics,  conversant  with  the 
history  of  political  movements  and  quick  to  grasp  the  points  of  the  main  issue  of  the  hour.  He  is  wise  in  counsel  and 
in  the  direction  of  political  work.  His  most  prominent  characteristic  in  public  and  private  life  is  faithfulness.  Stead- 
fast as  a  rock  to  his  friends,  to  his  party,  and  to  his  word,  he  is  emphatically  "a  man  to  tie  to."  The  frankness  and  sin- 
cerity of  the  man  in  all  his  dealings  have  made  him  hosts  of  friends  in  both  political  parties,  and  his  great  influence  in 
his  county  and  among  his  political  associates  is  largely  due  to  the  faift  that  he  is  everywhere  recognized  as  a  man  to  be 
trusted.  In  old  Northampton  he  has  never  had  any  opposition  for  his  party  nomination  to  any  office  he  has  filled,  and 
the  fidelity  with  which  he  has  discharged  his  public  duties  has  vindicated  the  judgment  of  the  people.  His  public  and 
private  life  have  been  honorable  to  himself  and  has  fairly  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  community  in  which 
he  resides. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


MEMBERS   OF   THE    BAR. 

The  members  of  the  Bar  of  Northampton  County,  residin 
pradlice  July  25,  1889,  with  date  of  admission  to  the  Bar. 

846 


in  Easton,  and  in  adlive 


Benjamin  F.  Fackenthall 

Oliver  H.  Meyers 

Edward  J.  Fox,  Sr.,  Bucks  Co.,  Sept 

A.  Brower  Longaker 

William  H.  Armstrong, 

VV..W.  Schuyler,  President  Judse, 


.    .  Nov.  21, 

.  .  Nov.  19,  1849 
'45,  .  Aug.  15,  1853 

.    .  Aug.  22,  1853 

.  .  Nov.  23,  1853 
.      .  April  23,  1854 


Abraham  S.  Knecht Jan.  26,  1S55 

Geo.  W.  Stout April  29,  1853 

Elisha  Allis, Nov.  18,  1856 

Calvin  G.  Beitel,        Nov.  16,  1858 

James  W.  Lynn Jan.  25,  1862 

William  Beidelman, Nov.  25,  1863 

Robert  I.  Jones April  24,  1865  j   Will 

William  C.  Kdelman April  24,  1865   \    Hen 

James  K.  Dawes, Oct.  5,  1865 

William  S.  Kirkpatrick, t)ct.  5,1865 

Beates  R.  Swift Jan.  17,  1866 

John  C.  Merrill Jan.  21,  1867 

Howard  J.  Reeder,  Judge Jan.  21,  1867 

Henry  W.  Scott April  29, 

William  Mutchler, ...    .  June  23, 

Frank  Reeder,  .  In  New  York,  Mar.,  1868.    In  Penna. 

Abraham  B.  Howell Feb.  2, 

George  V.  Wallace May  5, 

Francis  H.  Lehr, Aug.  29, 


1868 
1869 
1869 
1870 
1871 
,871 
20,  1872 


Robert  E.  James,   . 

F.  W.  Edgar, Sept.  12,  1874 

C.  Albert  Sandt Aug.  31,  1875 

Pennel  C.  Evans Feb.  16,  1876 

H.  T.  Buckley, Feb.  26,  1876 


Simon  P.  Chase April  18, 

Quintus  F.  Ehler, Sept.  4, 

David  W.  Nevin June  14, 

William  C.  Shipman Oa.  9, 

Samuel  S.  Lesher Oct.  24, 

James  W.  Wilson Oa.  17, 

George  W.  Geiser Feb.  22, 

Morris  Kirkpatrick June  16, 

Matthew  H    Jones June  16, 

William   Fackenthall,      ....■•...  Aug.  16, 

Luther  M.  Fine Oa.  20, 

T.  F.  Emmens , 

5.  Helrich, March  15, 

Henry  S.  Cavanan-h Aug.  23, 

Edward  J.  Fn.v,jr Dec.  13, 

George  F.  P.  Young Dec.  21, 

Russel  C.  Stewart Jan.  3, 

James  S.  Downs, April  ir, 

Henry  J.  Steel May  16, 

Charles  F.  Walter, May  2, 

Herbert  M.  Hagerman Oc^.  10, 

Aaron  Goldsmith Sept.  3, 

Frederick  Green, Oa.  8, 

George  L.  Xander Feb.  11, 

N.  DuBois  Chase, March  31, 

Orrin  Serfass .  July  16, 

Henry  D.  Maxwell, July  20, 

David  M.  Kuntz Aug.  14, 

Irwin  S.  Uhler, Oa.  19, 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCHES. 


'E  now  approach  a  different  element  of  religions  life  from  that  described 
in  the  early  stages  of  this  work.  One  of  the  most  remarkable  men  appears 
on  the  scene,  a  man  more  like  Panl  than  any  since  his  day.  There  was 
but  one  thought  that  moved  his  soul  to  acftion,  and  the  whole  world  knows 
what  it  was.  His  devotion  to  what  he  felt  to  be  duty  leads  us  to  accuse 
him  of  imprudence  in  unnecessary  exposure  of  his  health.  His  life  was 
of  but  little  account  when  he  felt  that  duty  called  him.  Every  branch  of 
the  church  honors  his  memory,  and  millions  of  true  christians  would 
gladly  weep  at  his  grave.  He  seems  to  have  been  sent  into  the  world  to 
let  the  light  of  pure  religion  shine  in  its  simplicity  and  heavenly  splendor, 
and  teach  the  world  a  lesson  not  taught  in  the  schools.  Christians  may 
dispute  about  doctrines,  but  all  true  christians  of  every  denomination  approach  the  grave 
of  Brainerd  with  uncovered  heads  and  hearts  touched  with  the  tenderest  emotions.  He 
left  Stockbridge,  May  3,  1744,  went  through  the  wilderness  to  the  Delaware,  preached  to 
the  Indians,  went  through  a  wilderness  to  the  Susquehanna,  and  returned  to  Massachu- 
setts and  died  Otftober  9,  1747.  His  ministry  at  the  Forks  continued  about  a  year,  and 
in  this  short  period  he  made  his  name  immortal.  If  we  ask  what  Brainerd  has  done  to 
give  him  such  a  place  in  history,  looking  over  the  field  of  his  labor,  some  would  readily 
answer — nothing  ;  but  taking  another  view,  the  new  spiritual  impulse  imparted  to  the 
church,  and  to  individual  experience,  and  to  the  spirit  of  christian  missions,  the  pen  of 
an  angel  cannot  tell,  it  can  only  be  told  at  the  judgment.  Did  this  remarkable  man  ever 
preach  in  Easton  ?  has  been  a  question  in  the  mind  of  the  writer  since  this  work  was 
begun.  In  the  semi-centennial  sermon  of  Dr.  Sadtler  (p.  26),  he  says  :  "  Documentary 
evidence  shows  that  in  1745  and  1746  Brainerd  resided  chiefly  at  the  Forks  of  the  Dela- 
ware, and  occasionally  preached  to  the  forsaken  protestant  Germans  ;"  and  tradition  says 
he  preached  on  the  hill  where  the  old  Academy  now  stands.  There  is  one  thing  certain 
this  self-denying  apostle  never  waited  for  men  to  come  to  him,  but  at  the  risk  of  life  he 
would  go  to  them  to  preach  the  gospel.  And  the  faift  mentioned  by  Dr.  Sadtler  that  the 
Germans  were  as  sheep  without  shepherd  would  of  itself  lead  Brainerd  to  Easton.  The 
only  house  was  at  the  point,  Martin's  ferry  house.  He  preached  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Delaware,  in  truth,  the  whole  region  is  hallowed  by  the  recollections  of  this  acknowl- 
edged messenger  from  heaven.  His  sun  rose  in  glory  and  set  at  noon.  His  name  will 
never  be  forgotten,  but  his  memory  grow  brighter  as  years  roll  onward.  "  Brainerd  built 
his  cabin,"  and  made  his  headquarters  in  what  is  now  called  Lower  Mount  Bethel  town- 
ship, near  the  mouth  of  Martin's  Creek.  From  this  point,  as  a  base  of  operations,  he 
itinerated  through  the  surrounding  country,  preaching  sometimes  to  the  scattered  white 
settlers,  but  most  frequently  to  the  Indians.  In  1794  the  Union  Academy  was  incor- 
porated mainly  through  the  efforts  of  the  English  speaking  part  of  the  community,     .^nd 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A.  423 

this  building  furnished  a  place  where  religious  services  might  be  held  with  some  regu- 
larity. There  is  to  be  found  in  the  records  of  the  trustees  of  the  academy,  under  date  of 
July  21,  1798,  the  following  minutes  :  "Resolved,  that  permission  be  given  the  present 
English  teacher  in  the  academy  to  hold  meetings  for  worship  in  said  house  at  any  time 
which  shall  not  interfere  with  the  schools  ;  he  being  responsible  for  the  care  of  the  house 
on  such  occasions."  On  Academy  Hill  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  was  ushered  into 
life,  and  became  the  mother  of  Presbyterianism  in  this  region,  and  established  the  Eng- 
lish language  for  the  future.  The  English  speaking  people  met  in  the  academy,  entered 
into  a  convenant  or  agreement,  and  formed  an  organization  to  be  called  the  "  Easton 
Religious  Society  ;"  "And  do  ordain  and  establish  this  Constitution  for  the  good  order 
and  government  of  the  same."  This  precious  old  document  is  still  in  possession  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  This  Constitution  consists  of  eight  articles.  The  fourth  article 
provides  that  Mr.  Andrew  Mein  (the  teacher  in  the  academy)  be  requested  to  accept  the 
appointment  to  officiate  in  the  administration  of  the  Divine  fundlions  until  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  March,  1799,  with  desire  and  permission  to  request  and  employ  any  person  to  his 
assistance  that  he  may  approve  of  There  were  some  very  peculiar  features  in  the  condi- 
tions by  which  this  teacher  becomes  acting  pastor.  The  services  were  not  to  be  too  brief, 
nor  too  prolix,  and  the  dodlrines  were  to  be  in  the  utmost  purity.  The  records  of  this 
society  were  not  kept,  and  we  have  no  means  of  knowing  the  nature  of  its  life  for  eleven 
years.  The  official  records  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  begin  with  April,  181 1. 
The  first  entry  is  as  follows  :  A  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Borough  of  Easton 
having  convened  in  said  Borough  to  take  into  consideration  the  most  eligible  mode  of 
procuring  a  teacher  of  their  children,  and  a  preacher  of  the  word  of  God  in  the  English 
language,  it  was,  after  deliberation,  thought  most  advisable  to  request  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Brunswick  to  grant  them  supplies  for  the  ensuing  summer,  out  of  which  supplies  it 
was  expedled  one  might  be  selected  for  the  purpose  aforesaid.  Dr.  John  Cooper  and  Mr. 
John  Ewing  were  appointed  a  committee  to  present  this  request  to  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick.  They  appeared  before  that  body,  April,  181 1.  The  petition  was  granted, 
and  Mr.  Stephen  Boyer,  a  licentiate,  was  appointed  to  preach  two  years,  as  a  stated  sup- 
ply, to  the  English  citizens  in  the  Borough  of  Easton.  After  hearing  Mr.  Boyer  preach, 
and  his  ministrations  being  acceptable,  August  19,  181 1,  the  people  made  out  a  call  for 
his  services  at  a  salary  of  $400  a  year.  The  call  was  subscribed  by  forty-seven  persons. 
Mr.  Boyer  accepted  the  call.  The  Presbytery  met  in  Easton,  November  6,  and  ordained 
Mr.  Boyer,  November  7,  18 11,  in  the  old  German  Church  on  Third  street.  He  held  his 
Sabbath  service  in  the  Court  House,  and  taught  a  selecft  class  in  the  south  room  of  the 
second  story  of  the  academy  during  the  week.  At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  in  the 
Court  House,  March  10,  1812,  a  proper  organization  was  made  by  eledling  John  Green, 
Absalom  Reeder,  Benjamin  Green,  Benjamin  Hinds,  John  Ewing,  Samuel  R.  Finley,  and 
Joseph  Burke,  Trustees  ;  and  on  December  21,  1812,  Thomas  Bullman,  Joseph  Burke, 
Samuel  R.  Finley,  and  Benjamin  Green,  were  ele(?ted  Elders.  As  far  back  as  1798  the 
trustees  of  the  academy  had  given  permission  to  the  English  teacher  to  hold  services  in 
the  building.  In  1798  a  religious  society  was  formed  by  the  adoption  of  a  constitution, 
and  fourteen  years  later  a  pastor  had  been  settled  and  the  organization  completed.  This 
was  the  toiling  of  childhood,  but  it  is  very  pleasant  to  look  through  the  seventy-two  years 
that  have  followed  and  mark  the  progress  and  the  amount  of  work  done.     Mr.  Boyer 


424 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


remained  nearly  tliree  years  and  then  removed  to  Columbia,  Pa.      Rev.  David  Rishop  was 
the  next  pastor. 

The  concrregation  felt  they  needed  a  house  of  worship  and  must  depend  upon  them- 
selves. They  built  a  church,  and  on  August  22,  1819,  it  was  dedicated  to  God.  Thus 
the  people  struggled  and  patiently  waited  for  forty-one  years  ;  having  been  incorporated 
thev  now  had  a  "local  habitation  and  a  name."  In  five  years  they  found  their  church 
too  small  ;  money  was  raised,  the  church  was  enlarged  by  an  extension  of  twenty  feet  in 
the  rear.  And  while  these  repairs  were  in  progress  the  congregation  was  again  welcomed 
to  the  old  German  Church  on  Third  street.  Colonel  Thomas  McKeen,  in  1852,  offered 
$4200  toward  the  eredlion  of  a  parsonage  if  the  church  would  raise  $650  addition.  This 
was  done  and  the  parsonage  was  built.  Mr.  Bishop  preached  steadily  till  he  died,  May 
ig,  1S22,  having  preached  five  years  and  si.x  months.  He  was  buried  near  the  church, 
but  afterward  his  remains  were  removed  to  the  Easton  Cemetery.  The  pulpit  was  left 
vacant.  But  it  did  not  long  remain  so.  Mr.  John  Gray  was  invited  to  ])reach  as  a  candi- 
date. He  was  elecfted  pastor  September,  1822  ;  ordained  and  remained  forty-four  years 
and  seven  months.  Dr.  Gray  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  A.  Kerr,  a  graduate  of  Wash- 
ington College,  of  Alleghany  Seminary,  and  a  licentiate  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle. 
He  was  called  September  6,  1867  ;  ordained  and  installed  November  19.  He  was  a  young 
man  of  fine  oratorical  talents,  an  interesting  and  attractive  preacher.  He  rapidly  attained 
popularity  and  gathered  large  and  admiring  audiences.  He  resigned  August,  1870,  after 
a  pastorate  of  three  years  and  removed  to  Williamsport.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Frank  E.  Miller,  who  was  called  December  28,  1870,  and  assumed  charge  February  i, 
1871  ;  was  installed  May  i,  by  a  committee  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh.  Rev.  D.  S. 
Banks,  presided  ;  Rev.  W.  C.  Cattell,  D.  D.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  Rev.  J.  Belville,  D. 
D.,  delivered  the  charge  to  the  pastor  ;  and  Rev.  C.  Earle  to  the  people.  Before  speak- 
ing of  the  work  done  by  the  last  named  pastor  it  may  be  proper  to  mention  other  matters 
of  church  history  to  the  time  of  his  installation.  This  church  has  ever  looked  upon  the 
Sabbath  School  as  the  most  important  feature  of  church  work.  July  24,  1809,  Samuel 
R.  Finley  and  Joseph  Burke  presented  a  petition  to  the  trustees  of  the  academy  asking 
the  use  of  a  room  for  Sabbath  School  purposes.  The  work  was  carried  on  for  some  time, 
but  there  were  no  records.  In  this  school,  in  addition  to  the  scriptures,  the  pupils  were 
taught  writing.  When  Mr.  Bishop  came  on  the  field  there  was  no  organization.  In  1816 
he  reviewed  the  school  and  put  it  upon  a  substantial  basis,  and  the  exercises  have  been 
uninterrupted  since.  In  1812  the  church  reported  fourteen  members  to  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Brunswick.  In  1825  there  were  ninety-six  communicants,  and  the  total  amount  of 
benevolent  contributions  was  seventeen  dollars.  In  1849,  when  Dr.  Gray  was  in  his 
prime,  the  church  numbered  four  hundred  and  nine  members.  In  past  times  John  Stew- 
art, Benjamin  Hinds,  and  James  Wilson,  took  turns  in  standing  before  the  pulpit  and 
leading  the  music.  In  1829  the  congregation  paid  twenty-five  dollars  for  one  cast-steel 
triangle,  hammer,  etc.,  by  the  aid  of  which  the  people  were  called  to  the  house  of  wor- 
.sliip.  A  bell  was  purchased  in  the  same  year.  In  1816  the  church  used  candles  for  light- 
ing the  house  ;  in  i8ig  they  owned  sixteen  candle-sticks,  valued  at  five  dollars  ;  in  1822 
the  church  had  introduced  lamps.  Up  to  1850  whale  oil  was  used  ;  and  in  1851  gas  was 
introduced.  This  gave  a  very  pleasant  light  and  was  thought  to  be  very  satisfactory,  but 
time  brings  its  changes,  and  in  18S9  gas  is  discarded  and  olertricity  is  introduced.      The 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  425 

church  is  now  beautifully  lighted  by  the  Edison  elecflric  burners.  If  the  people  would  try 
the  experiment  of  bringing  in  a  few  candles  and  lighting  them  and  then  turn  on  the 
elecflric  lights  we  might  get  a  good  contrast  between  the  past  and  the  present. 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Miller  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  prosperous  periods  of 
church  life  in  the  First  Church.  He  was  born  in  Ohio,  pursued  his  collegiate  studies 
at  the  Miami  University,  and  graduated  at  the  Theological  Seminary,  Princeton.  He 
served  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  being  Major  of  his  regiment.  After  the  war  he  was 
settled  in  Asbury,  N.  J.,  from  whence  he  was  called  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Easton,  Pa.  He  was  pastor  of  this  church  sixteen  years.  Under  his  administration,  the 
church  became  a  model  in  aggressive  work.  He  carried  the  experience  of  the  army  into 
church  work,  as  far  as  he  could  with  good  results.  The  church  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  near 
$8000,  the  cupola  was  removed  from  the  north  end  of  the  church,  and  a  bell-tower  built 
at  the  southeast  corner.  The  pulpit  was  removed  to  the  north  end  of  the  building  with 
the  organ  behind  the  pulpit.  The  floor  was  made  to  slope  toward  the  pulpit,  being 
three  feet  higher  at  the  doors.  The  old  pews  were  changed,  and  those  of  black  walnut 
took  their  place,  cushioned  with  curled  hair,  and  covered  with  crimson  damask,  and 
the  walls  were  neatly  frescoed.  A  Sabbath  School  was  established  in  the  Seventh 
Ward,  and  was  of  so  much  promise  that  a  chapel  which  cost  $1900  was  built.  A 
dwelling  and  lot  was  donated,  valued  at  $2000  ;  a  corner  lot  donated  valued  at  $1200  ; 
and  another  house  and  lot  valued  at  $1800.  In  1884  a  Sabbath  School  was  estab- 
lished at  Seitzville,  and  a  chapel  was  built  costing  $1918.55.  In  1888  a  chapel  was  built 
at  Schoernertown  called  the  Riverside  Chapel,  costing  $1382.51.  In  1887  Mr.  Miller, 
accepted  a  call  extended  to  him  from  Paterson,  N.  J.,  and  his  successor.  Rev.  Douglas 
Carlile,  was  installed  May  7,  1888.  The  church  building  became  too  small  and  must  be 
enlarged,  which  was  effecfled  by  adding  twenty  feet  to  the  north  end,  making  extensive 
changes  and  repairs,  and  obtaining  a  new  organ  ;  the  changes  cost  about  $10,000.  The 
organ  is  now  run  by  an  ele6lric  motor. 

Rev.  Douglas  Carlile  was  born  in  Clarksburgh,  West  Virginia,  April  i,  i860.  He 
was  the  son  of  Hon.  John  S.  Carlile,  who  served  in  both  houses  of  Congress.  He  studied 
for  the  ministry  in  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  and  graduated  in  1885.  His  first 
settlement  was  in  Brockton,  Mass.  The  climate  being  too  severe,  he  came  to  Easton 
where  he  is  faithfully  and  successfully  doing  the  work  of  his  Master. 


On  November  13,  1816,  Rev.  David  Bishop  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry.  As  in  the  former  case,  the  congregation  secured  the  German  Reformed  Church, 
on  Third  street,  for  the  ordination  services.  That  the  occasion  was  one  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary interest,  may  be  inferred  from  the  fa6l  that  Drs.  Alexander  and  Miller,  of  Princeton 
Seminary,  were  present,  and  participated  in  the  exercises.  Mr.  Bishop's  salary  was  three 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  annum,  payable  in  half-yearly  installments.  Mr.  Bishop 
supplemented  his  income  by  outside  preaching  at  Mount  Bethel  and  Durham,  and  by 
teaching  a  classical  school  in  the  Academy. 

When  Mr.  Bishop  entered  upon  his  duties,  services  were  still  held  in  the  Court  House  ; 
but  the  place  not  being  entirely  adapted  for  such  purposes,  and  objedlions  being  made  on 
the  part  of  certain  persons  to  its  use  by  the  congregation,  it  became  evident,  that  if  the 
organization  was  to  thrive,  it  must  have  a  property  of  its  own.      Efforts  had  been  made  to 


426 


THE  HISTORY   OF 


this  end  some  years  before.  On  the  seventeenth  of  July,  1813,  a  letter  was  presented  to 
the  trustees  of  the  academy,  from  jNIessrs.  Reader,  BuUman  and  B.  Green,  trustees  of  the 
English  Presbyterian  Church,  praying  for  a  lot  of  ground  for  building  a  house  thereon  for 
the  use  of  public  worship.  The  trustees  of  the  academy  very  sensibly  resolved,  "that 
it  is  inexpedient  to  grant  the  English  Presbyterian  congregation  any  ground."  Finding 
that  they  must  depend  upon  themselves,  on  the  sixth  of  July,  1815,  a  subscription  paper 
was  drawn  up  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  a  lot  or  lots  in  the  Borough  of  Easton,  and 
erecfling  a  church  thereon,  and  for  a  burying  ground,  for  the  First  Presbyterian  congrega- 
tion in  the  said  Borough  of  Easton.  The  paper  was  immediately  circulated,  money 
obtained,  and  the  church  completed  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  August  22,  1819. 
When  Mr.  Bishop  removed  to  Easton  he  entered  upon  an  uninviting  field.     The  con- 


A   ViKW   OF    Hastc 


gregation  was  small,  without  a  house  of  worship,  and  the  moral  reputation  of  the  town 
was  bad  ;  some  persons — envious  outsiders,  possibly — calling  it  Sodom,  and  like  flatter- 
ing names.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  convittions  and  vigorously  proclaimed  vigorous 
dodlrines.  A  neighboring  minister,  somewhat  lax  in  theology  and  morals,  remonstrated 
with  Mr.  Bishop,  preditling  that  such  "horrific  preaching"  would  empty  his  church  ; 
but  it  seemed  to  have  the  contrary  eflfecfl,  for  the  congregation  increased.  He  was 
considered  one  of  the  very  best  preachers  in  the  Presbytery  of  Newton  ;  earnest  in. 
manner,  pracflical,  and  yet  spiritual  in  thought.  He  was  tall — five  feet  ten  inches — 
and    well   proportioned  ;  hair  dark,  and    very  abundant  ;  altogether  giving  him  a  very 


EASTON,    PENN'A.  427 

striking  and  handsome  appearance.  He  was  cut  down  when  apparently  entering  upon  a 
career  of  usefulness.  During  his  brief  ministry  his  influence  was  decided  and  beneficial, 
and  it  did  not  cease  with  his  life.  "  He  was  adlive,  laborious,  faithful,  and  carried  with 
him  to  the  grave  the  purest  affecflions  of  the  people  of  his  charge."  Mr.  Bishop  settled 
the  fa(5l  that  the  stern  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  preached  in  kindness  and  sincerity,  is  about 
the  best  way  to  fill  the  pews  and  build  up  a  prosperous  church.  Mr.  Bishop  continued 
stated  supply  of  the  First  Church  until  his  death.  He  died  of  consumption,  on  Sunday 
morning,  May  19,  1822,  having  labored  five  years  and  six  months.  His  remains  were 
buried  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  but  afterwards  disintered,  and  they  now  lie  in  our 
beautiful  cemetery. 

Rev.  John  Gray  succeeded  Rev.  David  Bishop.  The  church  edifice  had  been  built 
during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Bishop,  and  the  docftrines  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  had 
been  well  and  faithfully  inculcated  in  the  minds  of  the  people,  and  thus  the  foundation 
was  well  laid  for  the  successful  work  of  the  new  pastor.  Dr.  Gray  came  to  his  work  in 
the  morning  of  life,  and,  in  the  Providence  of  God,  destined  to  spend  his  days  in  Easton 
and  rear  a  noble  superstrudlure  on  the  foundations  so  well  laid.  Like  his  predecessor,  he 
had  strong  convidlions,  a  clear  head,  a  warm  heart,  courage  and  perseverence  common  to 
his  race,  whose  descendants  and  influence  are  found  in  every  part  of  the  republic.  He 
came  from  that  busy  hive  which  has  sent  out  its  earnest  workers  to  aid  in  establishing  a 
"church  without  a  bishop  and  a  state  without  a  king."  The  fiery  spirit  of  John  Knox 
had  imbued  their  souls  with  a  love  of  stern  dodlrines  and  political  liberty,  and  they  were 
prepared  to  live  or  die  for  either.  Wherever  they  went  the  church  and  school  house  stood 
close  together.  Dr.  John  Gray  was  born  in  the  country  of  Moneghan,  in  the  north  of 
Ireland,  December,  1798.  He  pursued  his  academic  course  at  the  Univesity  of  Glasgow, 
that  centre  of  religious  influence  and  vigorous  thought.  His  soul  here  became  inspired 
with  the  orthodox  faith,  which  shone  so  clearly  through  the  fiery  scenes  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, and  which  had  done  so  much  to  give  religious  and  political  liberty  to  a  continent 
and  ultimately  to  the  world.  Amid  the  hills  of  Scotland  his  mind  had  fine  opportunities 
for  expansion  and  vigorous  growth,  and  the  soul  for  the  cultivation  of  those  finer,  spiritual 
faculties,  without  which  mere  learning  is  of  but  little  avail.  There  were  no  theological 
seminaries  at  that  time,  and  Dr.  Gray  studied  theology  with  the  famous  Dr.  John  Dick. 
Mr.  Gray  was  as  fortunate  in  his  teaching  in  theology  as  he  had  been  in  the  surroundings 
of  literary  preparation.  Dr.  Dick  was  among  the  first  scholars  of  the  age,  and  to  be  a 
pupil  of  his  in  the  pursuit  of  sacred  literature  was  an  especial  privilege,  and  great  advan- 
tage in  the  sacred  calling  to  which  he  was  aspiring.  Sitting  at  the  feet  of  Dr.  Dick  he 
could  put  on  the  full  armor  of  God  and  prepare  to  battle  with  the  "  world,  the  flesh,  and 
the  devil,"  in  a  locality  of  which  he  never  dreamed,  and  to  which  he  was  led  through 
stormy  seas  by  the  unseen  hand  of  God.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Mone- 
ghan, Odlober  7,  1820.  He  married  Miss  Jane  Lewers,  a  woman  of  unusual  poetic  talent, 
which  gained  recognition  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  After  his  marriage  they  sailed  for 
the  new  world,  and  after  a  stormy  passage  landed  on  one  of  the  Bermuda  Islands.  They 
were  soon  on  another  vessel  and  reached  New  Brunswick  in  safety.  The  climate  proved 
too  severe  and  they  sailed  for  New  York.  He  came  to  Easton  in  Septeihber  and  was 
ordained  December  3,  1822,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Newton.  He  adled  as  stated  supply, 
and  his  salary  was  fixed  at  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  payable  semi-annually.     This 


428  THE  HISTORY  OF 

was  felt  to  be  insufficient  for  his  support,  and  he  supplemented  his  salary  by  preaching  at 
Lower  Mount  Bethel  a  portion  of  the  time,  until  December,  1829.  The  people  soon 
manifested  their  interest  in  their  minister  in  a  substantial  manner.  The  parish  was  grow- 
ing in  numbers  and  wealth.  The  ne.\t  year  after  he  began  his  work  his  salary  was 
increased  to  four  hundred  dollars.  The  next  year,  1824,  his  salary  was  increased  to  four 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  In  1828  it  was  increased  to  six  hundred  dollars.  It  is  quite 
likely  that  the  sum  was  relatively  greater  then  than  twice  that  sum  would  be  now.  Such 
generous  care  for  their  minister  would  natually  induce  a  deeper  interest  in  the  minister's 
mind,  and  fix  a  bond  of  friendship  only  to  be  broken  by  the  hand  of  death.  In  1829  the 
congregation  added  two  hundred  dollars  more  to  the  salary  and  this  sum  continued  for 
fourteen  years,  until  in  1843,  when  it  was  raised  to  nine  hundred  dollars.  In  three  years 
more  another  hundred  was  added,  making  one  thousand  dollars,  to  which  a  commodious 
parsonage  was  added,  and  this  remained  his  fixed  income  till  his  death.  It  is  pleasant 
thus  to  see  the  congregation  so  attentive  to  the  wants  of  the  pastor,  but  it  may  be  equally 
pleasant  to  note  the  work  by  him  for  whom  so  much  interest  was  manifested.  Dr.  Gray 
was  ordained  December  3,  1822,  and  in  1825  the  church  building  was  too  small  to  accom- 
modate his  hearers.  A  subscription  was  raised  in  December  of  that  year  to  enlarge  the 
house  of  worship.  The  work  was  begun  the  next  spring  and  carried  on  by  extending 
the  church  twenty  feet  back  and  gaining  twenty-eight  pews.  This  enlargement  lasted 
twenty  years,  when  the  congregation  found  themselves  in  cramped  quarters  again.  And 
so  in  1846  another  enlargement  was  made  by  adding  twelve  feet  to  the  front  and  thus 
bringing  the  front  to  the  pavement,  and  by  this  twenty  new  pews  were  gained.  When 
the  enlargement  was  completed,  a  sermon  appropriate  to  the  occrsion,  was  preached  by 
Dr.  Gray,  on  Sabbath  evening  of  the  reopening,  December  27,  1846,  from  Haggai  2:7. 
The  evening  of  December  27,  1846,  was  without  doubt  one  of  the  happiest  hours  of  his 
life.  He  had  been  preaching  in  Easton  twenty-fours,  had  twice  enlarged  his  church, 
adding  forty  pews  to  the  original  number,  all  of  which  had  been  sold.  There  was  a 
mutual  love  between  him  and  his  people  which  had  grown  stronger  as  these  years  had 
passed  away.  He  was  yet  in  the  vigor  of  his  life,  having  twenty  more  years  of  active  life 
before  him.  In  1849  Dr.  Gray  reported  four  hundred  and  nine  member  of  his  church. 
He  had  thus  taken  his  church  in  its  childhood,  and  in  twenty-seven  years  had  the  pleasure 
of  reporting  one  of  the  largest  churches  in  the  State,  and  the  leading  church  of  North- 
ampton county.  In  1848  a  number  of  members  withdrew  from  his  church  and  was 
ultimately  formed  into  the  American  Reform  Church.  In  1853  thirty-four  members 
withdrew  to  form  the  Brainerd  Church.  March  5,  and  in  December  11  of  the  same 
year,  twenty  members  withdraw  to  form  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Phillipsburg, 
which  has  now  a  larger  membership  than  the  mother  church  ever  had.  It  was  in  the 
early  part  of  Dr.  Gray's  ministry  that  Lafayette  College  had  its  birth,  and  was  breathed 
into  life  by  this  church.  Dr.  Gray  was  a6live  in  the  work,  adling  for  thirteen  years  as 
one  of  the  trustees  ;  and  thus  when  he  was  sixty  years  old  he  had  great  reason  for  grati- 
tude, that  he  had  been  permitted  to  do  so  much  for  his  Master.  His  church  and  himself  had 
founded  a  college,  now  among  the  first  in  the  republic,  and  thus  had  set  influences  in 
motion  that  will  grow  deeper  and  wider  as  time  rolls  onward  ;  and  the  name  of  Dr.  Gray 
cannot  be  forgotten  while  Lafayette  College  lives,  and  these  churches  continue  in  adlive 
work.      He  had  care  of  the  church  for  fortv-four  years.     The  last  vear  of  his  ministrv  lie 


EASTON,    PENN'A.  429 

had  an  assistant,  but  then  resigned  his  office,  which  was  accepted  April  15,  1867.  He 
preached  his  last  sermon  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  April,  1867,  and  survived,  in  great  physi- 
cal weakness,  until  January,  1868,  when  "he  fell  asleep."  In  appearance.  Dr.  Gray  was 
tall  and  shapely,  always  neatly  dressed.  In  his  bearing  there  was  a  mingling  of  dignity 
and  urbanity.  His  sermons  were  ornate  in  style  and  pathetic  in  tone  ;  his  manner  of 
delivery  was  deliberate,  solemn  and  tender.  Few  names  in  the  past  history  of  Easton  is 
more  pleasantly  spoken  of  than  that  of  Dr.  Gray.  He  filled  up  the  measure  of  his  days, 
did  a  good  work,  and  died  in  the  faith.  He  came  to  Easton  when  the  work  of  a  good, 
spiritual  archite<ft  was  demanded.  He  was  a  workman  of  whom  that  generation,  or  those 
of  the  future,  need  not  to  be  ashamed.  He  did  much  to  fix  the  moral  and  religious  life 
for  that  and  future  generations,  and  thus  secure  happiness  and  prosperity  for  those  who 
should  come  after  him.  Dr.  Gray  seems  to  have  drifted,  but  he  was  evidently  guided  to 
Easton,  by  that  mysterious  power  that  "  guides  Arcturus  with  his  sons  ;"  that  feeds  "the 
young  ravens  which  cry  ;"  that  gives  color  to  the  petals  of  the  lily,  and  fragrance  to  the 
rose  of  summer.  Mrs.  Gray,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Gray,  was  a  woman  of  uncommon  talent, 
and  a  poet  by  nature. 

THE  BRAINERD  CHURCH 

Was  a  colony  from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  The  thirty-six  members  of  that 
church  who  withdrew  March  5,  1853,  formed  its  original  membership.  On  0(ftober  5, 
1852,  they,  with  the  session  of  the  mother  church,  united  in  an  application  for  organiza- 
tion to  the  Second  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  which  was  granted,  and  on  March  8,  1853, 
the  committee  of  Presbytery,  appointed  for  the  purpose,  met  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  way  being  clear,  the  organization  was  completed,  Messrs.  John  Stewart 
and  Isaac  N.  Carpenter  having  been  eledled  elders,  and  Messrs.  James  McKeen,  John 
Pollock  and  William  Hemmel,  deacons.  Preparations  were  immediately  made  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  edifice,  and  while  this  was  in  progress  the  congregation  worshiped  in 
the  old  chuch,  assembling  as  a  separate  congregation,  only  in  the  afternoon  of  the  Sab- 
bath, preaching  of  the  gospel  and  the  administration  of  the  sacraments,  taking  place 
under  ministers  of  their  own  appointments,  until  the  new  building  was  sufficiently  com- 
pleted for  their  use.  This  was  begun  in  the  summer  of  1853.  The  first  services  in  it  was 
the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  in  the  le6lure  room,  on  September  3,  1854.  It  was 
dedicated  on  Odlober  17,  1854. 

The  building  stands  in  Spring  Garden  street,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Sitgreaves 
street,  between  Second  and  Third  streets.  Its  front  is  of  trimmed  Trenton  stone,  with 
a  spire  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  high,  and  of  Gothic  design.  The  lower  story 
is  divided  into  a  large  lecture  and  Sunday  School  room,  together  with  four  smaller  rooms. 
The  main  audience  room,  on  the  second  story,  has  seventy-eight  pews,  and  at  the  street 
end  there  is  a  choir  loft,  furnished  with  an  organ  of  moderate  size.  The  cost  was  about 
$32,000.  It  has  been  several  times  refitted,  but  no  material  change  has  been  made  in  its 
divisions  or  arrangements. 

Rev.  G.  Wilson  McPhail,  D.  D.,  was  installed  pastor  on  the  day  of  dedication,  and 
continued  in  this  relation  until  April,  1862,  a  period  of  seven  years  and  a  half  While 
here  he  was  also,  during  a  portion  of  his  pastorate,  the  President  of  Lafayette  College. 

Rev.  Alfred  H.  Kellogg,  a  licentiate  of  the  Central  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  was 


EASTON,    PENN'A.  431 

called  as  his  successor,  and  ordained  pastor,  Odlober  22,  1862.  He  continued  until  April, 
1865,  accepting  the  call  of  the  University  Place  Church,  in  New  York,  at  the  end  of  two 
years  and  a  half. 

He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  D.  Stuart  Banks,  in  April,  1866,  who  after  a  success- 
ful pastorate  of  nearly  seven  years,  removed  to  Margnette,  Michigan,  preaching  his  last 
sermon  here  in  February,  1873. 

Rev.  Jacob  Weidman,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  north,  was  installed, 
June  5,  1873. 

The  church  has  steadily  grown  in  strength  of  organization  and  members.  Its  elder- 
ship has  been  increased  at  several  times,  and  now  consists  of  Messrs.  E.  J.  Fox,  John 
Pollock,  James  Long,  Samuel  Boileau,  and  W.  K.  Wolverton.  It  has  numbered  on  its 
roll  the  successive  presidents  of  Lafayette  College,  and  a  large  proportion  of  its  profes- 
sors and  students.  The  Sabbath  School  enrolls  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  children, 
whose  work  and  liberality  is  fostered  in  the  Juvenile  Missionary  Society,  by  means  of 
which  they  have  contributed  about  $4500  to  the  Home  Mission  cause  within  the  past  ten 
years.  The  ladies  of  the  congregation  are  organized  for  benevolent  labor  into  the  Pas- 
toral Aid  Society,  through  which  they  contribute  money  and  clothing  in  aid  of  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions  and  local  or  casual  charities.  The  last  report  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly shows  a  membership  of  two  hundred  and  eight. 

The  above  is  taken  from  the  Northampton  County  History,  and  comes  down  to  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  Jacob  Weidman.  Mr.  Weidman  was  installed  in  1873  and  resigned  in 
1880.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  A.  Russell  Stevenson,  who  was  born  in  Baltimore, 
December  29,  1856.  He  prepared  for  college  at  Chambersburg,  Pa. ;  graduated  at  Princeton 
1876  ;  studied  at  Union  Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  two  years  and  graduate  at  Prince- 
ton Seminary,  1880.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Brainerd  Church,  December,  1880, 
and  resigned  March  i,  1888,  to  take  charge  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Schenectady, 
N.  Y.  Duringthis  pastorate  a  commodious  parsonage  was  bought,  situated  on  Second  street. 
Rev.  Henry  D.  Lindsay  was  installed  the  first  Sunday  in  July,  1888.  He  was  grad- 
uated at  Erskine  College  S.  C,  in  1879,  ^n^  at  Princeton,  1883.  His  first  settlement  was 
in  the  pastorate  of  the  Thompson  Memorial  Church,  in  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia. 
From  that  church  he  was  transferred  to  the  First  Church  of  Wilmington,  Del.  From 
this  church  he  was  called  to  the  Brainerd  Church  in  Easton,  and  installed  as  stated  above. 
The  church  is  enjoying  a  career  of  prosperty  and  usefulness. 

SECOND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

In  April,  1848,  a  colony  from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  under  this 
name.  In  April,  1851,  owing  to  adverse  external  influences,  the  organization  dissolved. 
Its  constituents,  however,  were  reorganized  in  July  the  same  year  as  a  Reformed  Protes- 
tant Dutch  Church — usually  styled  by  its  distinctive  name  "American  Reformed."  It 
built  a  church  on  Fifth  street  in  1852,  costing  $16,000.  This  was  sold  to  the  Zion  Luth- 
eran congregation  in  1871.  Another  church  was  immediately  built  on  Spring  Garden 
street,  costing  |6i,ooo,  which  it  now  occupies.  It  also  owns  a  parsonage  adjoining.  In 
the  spring  of  1888  the  congregation  resolved  to  take  measures  to  re-enter  the  Presbyterian 
denomination  and  to  reassume  its  original  name.     It  applied  to  the  classis  of  Raritan, 


432 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


with  which  it  was  in  ecclesiastical  conne(ftion,  and  in  July  obtained  permission  to  make 
the  transfer.  Tlie  corporate  name  was  changed  by  the  civil  Court  in  August,  and  in  Sep- 
tember the  church  was  received  and  put  on  the  roll  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh  without 
reorganization.  This  transition  was  made  without  any  objedlion  and  with  the  full  appro- 
bation of  both  denominations. 

The  pastors  of  the  church  have  been — Rev.  J.  H.  Mason  Knox,  D.  D.,  (now  Presi- 
dent of  Lafayette  College)  1851-3  ;  Rev.  Cornelius  H.  Edgar,  D.  D.,  (deceased)  1853-1882  ; 
Rev.  George  M.  S.  Blauvelt,  1882-8,  and  Rev.  T.  J.  Lee  (present  incumbent)  elected  1889. 

For  thirty  years  Dr.  Edgar  was  pastor  of  the  American  Reformed  Church  of  Easton. 
He  was  born  in  Rah  way,  N.  J.,  April  11,  181 1,  and  died  at  Easton,  December  23, 
1884.  He  graduated  at  Princeton  College,  class  of  1831,  engaged  for  several  years  in 
teaching,  and  was  head  master  of  the  preparatory  department  of  the  University  of  the 
city  of  New  York.  He  entered  the  ministry  in  1845,  and  at  once  became  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Bridge  Hampton,  Long  Island.  He  remained  there  until  1853, 
when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Easton  church.  Dr.  Edgar  was  a  man  of  marked  individ- 
uality of  chara6ler.  There  was  no  element  of  common  place  in  his  composition.  His 
bearing  and  address  indicated  that  he  was  positive  on  all  lines  of  mental  and  moral  adlion. 
His  sunny  spirit,  his  courteous  manners,  his  sprightly  conversation,  his  cheerful  piety, 
and  his  upright  chara<5ler  made  his  daily  life  an  example  and  power  for  good  in  the  com- 
munity. Great  talents  and  careful  culture  prepared  him  for  his  work  as  a  preacher.  He 
was  a  forcible  speaker,  fluent  and  perspicuous  in  his  use  of  a  rich  vocabulary.  Ready  and 
earnest,  remarkable  for  clear  propositional  statement,  keen  analysis,  apt  illustration,  and 
coherent  treatment  of  a  subje<ft,  he  was  recognized  as  a  leader  among  his  clerical  brethren. 

There  have  been  in  this  congregation  from  the  beginning,  and  are  now  connecfted 
with  it  many  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Easton  and  professors  and  students  of 
Lafayette  College. 


METHODISM  IN  EASTON. 

The  earliest  records  of  Methodist  preaching  in  this  region  are  in  1802.  At  this  time 
Johnson  Dunham  was  appointed  to  Northampton  county,  then  belonging  to  the  Philadelphia 
Conference.  During  1802,  J.  Dunham  was  sent  to  Kent  Circuit,  and  Henry  Bsehm 
removed  from  Kent  to  Northampton.  In  1803,  Northampton  was  abandoned,  as  a  Dis- 
tri<5l  Circuit,  and  the  few  appointments  in  it  were  added  to  the  Bristol  Circuit.  In  1810, 
another  effort  was  made  to  occupy  Northampton,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Easton.  David 
Bartine  was  the  preacher  in  charge.  The  circuit  was  weak,  and  the  next  year  had  to  be 
joined  with  what  is  now  Lehigh  county.  Daniel  Ashton  and  W,  W.  Fonlks,  who  were 
appointed  to  this  circuit,  frequently  visited  Easton.  In  the  house  of  Mrs.  Wagner,  grand- 
mother of  our  townsman  Mr.  Daniel  W.  Conklin,  these  men  found  a  welcome  and  a  place  to 
preach  the  dodlrines  of  the  gospel,  as  understood  by  the  Methodists.  In  1813  Mrs.  Wagner 
was  happily  converted  in  her  own  house  and  in  the  midst  of  her  own  family.  For  several 
years  the  preachers  appointed  to  Bristol  Circuit,  or  Northampton  Circuit,  continued  to 
visit  Easton,  but  they  did  not  hold  regnlar  services.  In  1815  Manning  Force  baptized  a 
son  of  Mrs.  Wagner,  whose  name  was  Ab.salom.     On  the  twenty-seventh  of  July,  1820, 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


433 


William  Colbert  baptized  a  daughter.  In  1825  Philip  Reese,  who  had  been  a  Lutheran, 
became  an  acftive,  zealous  Methodist.  His  house  was  a  centre  for  preachers  to  hold  meet- 
ings, and  a  Bethel  for  the  new  denomination.  Meetings  were  held,  more  or  less  regularly, 
by  the  preachers  of  Warren  Circuit,  and  with  variable  success  until  sometime  in  1826,  when 
the  first  class-meeting  was  formed,  and  William  Down,  who  had  been  a  Methodist  in  Eng- 
land, was  appointed  leader.  David  Best  and  James  Danby  were  the  preachers  in  that  and 
the  following  year.  It  is  remarkable  that  the  first  class  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Easton  was  formed  in  Phillipsburg,  but  the  members  of  the  denomination  worshipped 
together,  and  hence  the  class  was  formed  there.  The  second  class  was  formed  in  the 
summer  -of  1827.  The  old  Academy,  on  what  was  called  the  School  House  Hill,  was 
secured  for  the  preachers.  Large  crowds  attended  the  services  and  a  revival  of  religion 
followed.  The  audience  became  so  large  that  the  trustees  were  apprehensive  of  the 
strength  of  the  building,  and  it  was  vacated.  The  names  on  the  class-book  in  1827,  were 
as  follows  :  William  Down,  Hannah  Down,  Philip  Reese,  Mary  Reese,  Mary  Bell,  Ann 
Gano,  Cornelius  Moore,  John  Moore,  Sarah  Moore,  Margaret  Wagner,  Mary  A.  Wagner, 
Esther  Wagner,  Maria  Tilton,  Alexander  W.  Paterson,  George  W.  Wagner,  Luther  Car- 
ter, Elizabeth  Carter,  Robert  Vandyke,  Sidney  Down,  Jane  Down,  George  S.  Moore, 
Daniel  B.  Wagner,  Sophia  Reese,  Margaret  Wilhelm,  Sarah  Ann  Wagner,  Margaret 
Oliver,  Herman  Heckman,  Hiram  Hess,  Peter  Schooley,  John  Bell,  Sally  Ann  Schooley. 
Through  the  courtesy  of  the  county  officials  the  Court  House  was  used  as  a  preaching 
place  for  a  period  ;  then  an  old  red  store  house,  situated  near  the  junction  of  Walnut  and 
Northampton  streets.  The  Methodist  people  became  very  warmly  attached  to  this  old 
building,  as  it  had  been  the  scene  of  many  pleasant  meetings  and  many  conversions. 
They  were  at  times  visited  by  the  Presiding  Elder  and  eminent  preachers  in  the  denomi- 
nation. Among  these  were  Lawrence  McCombs  and  George  Banghart.  After  some 
time  the  society  removed  to  a  tinsmith's  shop  on  Si tgreaves  street,  and  were  supplied  with 
^preachers  from  the  Warren  Circuit.  In  1832  the  present  church  lot  was  purchased  from 
Martha  Moore  and  Euphemia  Wall,  sisters  of  Samuel  Moore,  Esq.  On  the  lot,  and 
included  in  the  purchase,  was  a  long  narrow  frame  building  which  had  been  used  for  an 
armory  in  the  war  of  1812.  This  building  served  as  a  place  of  worship  and  a  residence 
of  a  family  for  several  years.  Because  of  its  strange  proportions  and  elevated  position, 
resting  as  it  did  upon  props,  people  called  it  "The  Saw  Mill."  Here  Joseph  McCool, 
Abraham  K.  Street,  George  F.  Brown,  and  John  Bishop  Hagany,  preached  from  1832  to  1835. 

The  first  regular  church  edifice  was  eredled  in  1835,  under  the  supervision  of 
the  pastor,  J.  B.  Hagany,  and  continued  to  be  used  until  the  spring  of  1855,  when  it  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  The  Presiding  Elders  who  officiated  there  in  the  order  named,  were 
George  Banghart,  James  Smith,  Solomon  Higgins,  James  H.  McFarland,  Elijah  Miller, 
Robert  Gerry,  and  Joseph  Castle.  The  pastors  were  Vincent  Sheppard,  1836  ;  James  V. 
Potts,  1837  ;  George  Lacy,  1838  ;  John  S.  Inskip,  1839  and  1840  ;  Samuel  Higgins,  1841  ; 
Elijah  Miller,  1842  and  1843  ;  Christopher  J.  Crouch,  1844  ;  Pennel  Coombe,  1845  and 
1846  ;  Joseph  Mason,  1847  and  1848  ;  William  Barns,  1849  and  1850  ;  John  Le  Roy  Taft, 
1851  and  1852  ;  James  Rush  Anderson,  1853  and  1854  ;  and  William  Bishop,  1855  and 
1856.     The  last  named  pastor  had  preached  but  a  short  time  when  the  building  was  burned. 

The  present  church  was  erected  in  1855,  and  dedicated  by  the  Conference  in  1856.  The 
building  is  large  and  commodious,  and  its  erection  marked  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  Metho- 


434  THE  HISTORY  OF 

disni  in  Easton.  The  work  of  rebuilding  so  quickly,  and  at  such  expense,  exhibited  a 
vitality  that  gave  assurance  of  a  prosperous  future.  The  progress  of  the  church  has  been 
steady.  The  succession  of  pastors  from  1856  to  1885,  is  as  follows  :  John  C.  Thomas,  1857, 
1858  ;  Michael  D.  Kurtz,  1859,  i860 ;  H.  F.  Hurn,  1861,  1862  ;  J.  H.  Lightbourne,  1863,  1864  ; 
F.  Hodgson,  1865,  1866  ;  H.  S.  Cook,  1867,  1868,  1869  ;  J.  S.  Welsh,  1870,  1871  ;  J.  S. 
J.  McConnell,  1872,  1873,  i874  5  William  S.  Gray,  1875,  1876,  1877  ;  Elias  B.  Hough- 
ton, 1878,  1879,  1880  ;  S.  H.  Hoover,  1881,  1882,  1883  ;  J.  R.  Taylor  Gray,  1884,  1885  ; 
W.  J.  Mills,  1886  ;  L.  B.  Hoffman,  1887,  1888,  1889.  It  was  during  the  ministry  of  Rev. 
S.  H.  Hoover  that  the  Memorial  Church  was  built.  It  was  dedicated  March,  1884,  free 
from  debt.  The  building  of  this  chapel  on  Ferry  street,  between  Tenth  and  Eleventh 
streets,  is  a  monument  to  his  energy  and  perseverance.  The  pastors  of  the  Methodist 
Church  are  generally  among  the  eminent  preachers  of  their  denomination.  The  present 
pastor  is  Rev.  L.  B.  Hoffman.  The  Stewards  are  Daniel  L.  Wolverton,  John  D.  Pat- 
terson, John  C.  Merrill,  Esq.,  John  Wilson,  Elisha  Johnson,  Nelson  Lake,  Joseph  F. 
Crater,  S.  H.  Walter,  David  Chamberlain,  and  Birge  Pearson.  Superintendent,  H.  M. 
Norton  ;  Assistant  Female  Superintendent,  Mrs.  David  Chamberlain.  The  number  of 
church  members  265,  and  20  on  probation.  The  number  of  scholars  in  the  Sabbath 
School  450,  and  35  officers  and  teachers.  The  value  of  church  property  is  $25,000.  The 
amount  of  contributions  for  benevolent  purposes.  Home  and  Foreign  Missions,  from  the 
church,  $75  ;  from  the  Sabbath  School,  $80.  Salary  for  Pastor,  Presiding  Elder,  and 
Bishop,  $1628  ;  for  Conference  claimants,  $60  ;  for  other  colledlions,  $50. 

BETHEL  MISSION. 

Bethel  Mission  (English)  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association,  on  Ferry,  near 
Ninth  street,  was  organized  as  a  mission  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  March,  1869.  The 
society,  numbering  nine  members,  held  its  first  meeting  in  a  private  house,  on  North- 
ampton street,  between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets.  The  chapel  now  used  was  dedicated 
to  the  service  of  God  on  the  sixth  day  of  November,  1869.  It  was  eredled  at  a  cost  of 
about  $6000,  most  of  which  was  paid  at  completion.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  L.  N. 
Worman,  under  whose  administration  the  church  was  erecfled.  He  served  two  years, 
being  then  the  full  term  allowed  at  any  one  place  by  the  Conference.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  S.  L.  Wiest,  who,  under  the  new  arrangement  of  General  Conference, 
oflBciated  for  three  years.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  O.  L.  Saylor,  Rev.  S.  C.  Breyfogel, 
Rev.  A.  M.  Stirk,  Rev.  J.  G.  Sands,  Rev.  J.  C.  Krause,  and  Rev.  T.  A.  Hess,  the  present 
pastor.  The  number  of  church  members  is  one  hundred  and  three  ;  the  number  of  pupils 
in  the  Sabbath  School  is  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven,  and  the  number  of  officers  and 
teachers  is  twenty-five.     There  is  a  very  commodious  parsonage  convenient  for  the  jjastor. 

TRINITY  CHURCH. 

Trinity  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association  (German).  The  first  services  of  this 
society  were  held  in  the  year  1848,  in  a  private  house,  by  Rev.  M.  Sindlinger,  a  preacher 
on  the  Northampton  Circuit.  He  was  followed  at  intervals  by  Revs.  J.  Hess,  D.  Weiand, 
S.  G.  Rhoads,  C.  Hummel,  M.  Goebel,  Jacob  Gross,  F.  Frecker,  and  W.  Yost,  all  preach- 
ers on  the  circuit.     In  1S54  the  small  congregation  became  a  mission,  with  Rev.  J.  Veakel, 


HAS  TON,    I'ENN'A.  435 

pastor,  and  meetings  were  held  in  the  basement  of  the  "  West  Ward  Academy."  Under 
the  supervision  of  Rev.  J.  Yeakel,  the  present  church,  on  Northampton  street  was  built 
in  1855,  and  named  the  Trinity  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  Mr.  Yeakel  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  L.  Reber,  and  in  1858  the  church  was  constituted  a  self-support- 
ing station.  The  following  pastors  have  served  in  the  sacred  office  since  :  W.  L.  Reber, 
J.  Yeakel,  J.   Koehl,  J.   Hess,  B.   F.   Bonner,  C.   B.    Fliehr,  G.   Scarf,  S.   Breifogel. 

The  members  of  the  church  now  number  one  hundred  and  forty  ;  the  Sabbath  School 
numbers  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The  parsonage  joins  the  church  on  the  west.  The 
present  pastor  is  Rev.  George  Knerr. 

JEWISH  SYNAGOGUE. 

The  Jewish  congregation  was  first  organized  in  Easton  in  1839,  and  chartered  Novem- 
ber 24,  1842,  with  the  following  members  :  Henry  Rosenfelt,  Michael  Lederer,  Solomon 
Rhoda,  Samuel  Bachenheimer,  Moses  Cohn,  Solomon  Scheit,  Samuel  Abel,  Adolph 
Hirsch,  Louis  Bachenheimer,  M.  Gardner,  Wolf  Rosenbauin,  Emanuel  Scheif,  Isaac 
Menline.  In  1842 — Jewish  Calender,  5602 — a  lot  of  land,  40  by  100  feet,  on  South 
Sixth  street,  was  purchased  for  four  hundred  dollars  of  Charles  Kitchen  and  Andrew  H. 
Reeder,  assignees  of  Christian  J.  Hutter,  and  the  first  church  building  erecfted  in  the 
same  year  at  a  cost  of  $2400.  The  first  officiating  Rabbi  was  Rev.  Manis  Cohn.  He 
was  followed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gling.  In  1870  the  congregation  had  so  increased  that  it 
became  necessary  to  enlarge  the  synagogue.  This  was  accomplished  the  following  year 
at  a  total  cost  of  $5600.  When  the  new  synagogue  was  dedicated  the  reformed  mode  of 
worship  was  introduced,  as  adopted  by  the  Conference  of  Rabbis,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  M.  Wisse,  of  Cincinnatti,  who  also  performed  the  rites  of  dedication. 
The  interior  of  the  synagogue  is  plain  and  neat.  The  ark  containing  the  scrolls  of  the 
law,  surmounted  by  the  two  tablets  of  testimony,  is  in  the  east.  In  front  of  the  ark, 
which  is  curtained,  is  the  pulpit,  and  below  this  the  reading  desk  ;  the  whole  on  a  plat- 
form elevated  a  few  feet  from  the  floor  of  the  building.  The  choir  gallery  is  in  the  west ; 
and  the  pews,  fifty-three  in  number,  with  the  capacity  of  about  three  hundred  and  fifty 
sittings,  running  from  north  to  south,  and  on  either  side  of  the  Holy  Ark,  running  east 
and  west.  Religious  services  are  held  every  Friday  evening  and  Saturday  morning.  On 
all  holy  days  the  service  is  condu<fted  in  the  Hebrew,  German  and  English  languages, 
interspersed  with  German  and  English  hymns  by  the  choir.  The  sermons  are  sometimes 
in  English  and  sometimes  in  German  The  records  from  which  the  author  copies  the 
above  account  come  to  the  period  of  about  1875.  Rev.  Jacob  S.  Jacobson  was  the  officiat- 
ing Rabbi.  At  that  time  the  congregation  numbered  about  255  souls.  There  was  a 
school  connected  with  the  synagogue,  under  the  supervision  of  Rev.  Mr.  Jacobson,  study- 
ing Religious  and  Bible  History.  It  numbered  about  seventy-five  pupils.  They  studied 
the  Hebrew  and  German  languages.  The  income  of  the  society  was  then  about  $1600, 
and  property  was  valued  at  gio,ooo.  The  congregation  has  a  burying  ground  on  Butler 
street  and  extends  back  to  Washington  street.  There  are  several  Jewish  societies  con- 
nedled  with  the  congregation.  The  first  is  a  secret  society  called  the  Judea  Lodge,  No. 
30,  I.  O.  B.  B.,  (Independent  Order  B'nai  B'rith)  or  sons  of  the  covenant,  a  society 
spread  over  the  Union,  and  a<?ting  as  a  mutual  benefit  society.     At  the  above  date  there 


436  THE   HISTORY   OF 

was  a  membership  of  about  fifty,  all  males  above  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  a  capital 
of  about  $4000.  The  "  Kranken  und  Leichen  Mache  Verein,"  is  a  society  that  was  organ- 
ized in  1857  ;  its  objeft  is  to  take  care  of  the  sick  and  poor  of  the  congregation,  and 
defraying  funeral  expenses  of  indigent  persons.  This  society  had  a  membership  of  about 
forty,  and  a  capital  at  that  time  of  about  seven  hundred  dollars.  The  present  minister,  or 
pastor,  is  Rev.  Alexander  Gross,  who  has  had  the  pastoral  care  of  the  congregation  since 
April  I,  1881.  He  reports  the  number  of  Sunday  School  scholars  thirty-seven.  Mr. 
Gross,  the  present  Rabbi,  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany.  He  was  educated  in  Karlsruhe, 
the  capital  city  of  Baden.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1869,  and  resided  in  Petersburg, 
Va.,  eleven  years,  and  from  there  came  to  Easton  in  1881.     He  is  now  forty-four  years  of  age. 

ST.  BERNARD'S  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

The  first  Catholic  Church  in  Easton  was  built  in  1836,  and  dedicated  the  same  year 
by  Bishop  Kendrick,  afterwards  Archbishop  of  Baltimore.  Prior  to  this  time,  meetings 
were  held  in  different  private  houses,  as  circumstances  required.  The  first  pastor  was 
Rev.  Fitzpatrick,  who  was  succeeded  by  the  following  :  Revs.  Herzog,  Maloney,  Brady, 
and  Thomas  Reardon.  The  first  church  was  built  of  stone,  and  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged 
in  1867.  As  it  was  being  finished,  an  accident  on  the  part  of  one  of  the  workmen,  who 
was  soldering  at  the  bottom  of  the  spire,  upset  the  portable  furnace,  from  which  the 
church  took  fire,  and  in  spite  of  the  united  efforts  of  the  fire  department  of  the  borough, 
was  entirely  consumed.  Within  ten  days  the  members  and  friends  of  the  church  had 
raised  $2000,  which  was  presented  to  the  pastor  to  aid  in  rebuilding,  and  in  a  short  time 
the  large  and  commodious  edifice  on  South  Fifth  street  was  ere6led.  In  the  early  day  of 
the  history  of  the  church,  services  were  not  held  regularly,  as  the  pastor  often  had  to 
attend  meetings  in  Lehigh,  Bucks,  and  Monroe  counties,  in  this  State,  as  well  as  Warren 
and  Hunterdon,  in  New  Jersey.  At  the  time  of  the  first  church,  the  congregation  was 
small,  only  numbering  about  one  hundred  in  all,  and  was  composed  almost  entirely  of 
Germans  and  Irish.  Since  that  time,  the  membership  has  been  steadily  increasing,  until 
it  now  numbers  about  2000,  of  which  nearly  two-thirds  are  native  born.  The  above  is 
quoted  from  the  Northampton  County  History  published  in  1877. 

BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  Baptists  were  almost  unknown  in  Easton  prior  to  1836.  Rev.  Joseph  Matthias, 
a  Baptist  minister  from  Hilltown,  Bucks  county,  in  itinerations  would  stop  and  preach  in 
the  Court  House  as  occasion  might  ofifer.  But  this  was  all  the  Baptist  service  held  in 
Easton  at  the  above  date.  On  one  of  his  periodical  visits  he  became  acquainted  with 
Margaret  Hill,  recently  from  Morristown,  N.  J. ,  Eleanor  Ihrie  from  Kentucky,  and  Amos 
Rogers  from  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y. ,  each  members  of  different  Baptist  Churches,  but 
who  had  lived  in  Easton  for  a  considerable  time  unknown  to  each  other.  After  this  the 
ministrations  of  Joseph  Matthias,  John  P.  Thompson,  John  S.  Jenkins,  and  others,  were 
more  frequent.  On  the  second  Sabbath  in  December,  1836,  Rev.  Joseph  Matthias  bap- 
tized three  persons  in  the  Delaware  in  the  presence  of  a  large  congregation  of  the  people 
of  Easton  and  vicinity.  On  the  fifth  Sabbath  of  January  following,  Rev.  Matthias  again 
visited  the  little  flock  in  Easton,  preached  in  the  house  of  Ezekiel  Hill  and  administered 


E  ASTON,    PENN'A.  437 

the  communion.  Shortly  after  this  Rev.  Thomas  Ritchie,  of  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J., 
removed  to  Easton,  and  preached  here  and  at  Mt.  Bethel,  Stroudsburg  and  other  places. 
On  the  twenty-sixth  of  September,  1837,  a  council  convened  in  a  school  house,  near  the 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Washington  streets,  a  church  covenant  was  adopted  by  the  small 
number,  only  six  members,  and  they  were  regularly  constituted  and  set  apart  as  a  separate 
and  independent  Baptist  Church.  In  1841  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Morris  was  eledled  pastor. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Marshall  M.  Evarts  in  1842.  In  1845  William  B.  Tolan,  a 
member  of  the  church,  a  young  man  of  fine  talents  and  address,  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  became  pastor  of  the  congregation.  After  serving  a  short  time 
it  was  felt  that  a  more  convenient  house  of  worship  was  needed.  Accordingly  a  lot  was 
purchased  on  Ferry  street,  above  Fourth,  and  a  brick  church  was  ere(?ted  thereon. 
In  the  fall  of  1848  Rev.  John  C.  Harrison  was  eletled  pastor,  and  continued  nearly  eight 
years  in  the  pastoral  office.  Dr.  Harrison  was  a  man  of  fine  culture  and  ability,  but  the 
congregation  did  not  prosper  under  his  ministry.  In  i860  Rev.  Joseph  L.  Sagebeer  became 
pastor.  He  remained  but  a  short  time,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  Skinner,  and 
he  in  turn  by  Rev.  J.  N.  Folwell.  During  this  pastorate  the  congregation  moved  into  the 
Universalist  church,  and  they  subsequently  sold  their  property  to  the  colored  people. 
In  the  early  part  of  1870  Rev.  Andrew  Armstrong,  of  Frenchtown,  N.  J.,  was  called  to 
the  pastorate.  The  church  prospered  under  the  ministrations  of  Mr.  Armstrong,  and 
through  his  perseverance  and  energy  the  present  commodious  house  of  worship  on  the 
corner  of  Ferry  and  Walnut  streets  was  built.  Rev.  Mr.  Armstrong  was  followed  by 
Rev.  James  W.  Hartpence  in  1878.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Edwin  McMinn,  and  after 
remaining  about  two  years  he  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Marshall. 
His  pastorate  continued  over  five  years.  During  this  time  a  commodious  parsonage  was 
purchased,  situated  on  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Ferry  streets,  and  the  debt  of  the  church 
entirely  removed.  Mr.  Marshall  left  the  church  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  H.  Stewart,  the  present  pastor. 

MORAVIAN  CHURCH. 

The  Forks  of  the  Delaware  was  included  in  the  se(?tion  covered  by  the  early  Mora- 
vian Missionaries,  but  the  efforts  of  the  latter  to  render  it  a  permanent  station  of  that 
denomination  did  not  meet  with  success.  The  course  of  time  and  the  growth  of  the 
importance  of  Easton  as  the  metropolis  of  the  county,  caused  the  removal  thereto  of  many 
members  of  that  denomination  from  Bethlehem,  Nazareth,  etc.  During  the  year  1888 
zealous  efiforts  were  made  among  those  residents  whose  descent  or  sedlarian  views  natu- 
rally affiliated  them  with  that  society.  A  church  meeting  of  these  was  convened,  a  con- 
gregation formed,  and  the  assembly  room  of  the  old  Masonic  Hall  at  Ferry  and  South 
Third  streets,  engaged  for  regular  services.  This  congregation,  although  not  large  is 
zealous,  and  efforts  towards  the  eredlion  of  a  church  edifice  are  now  being  made. 


DOCTORS  OF  EASTON. 


fONCERNING  the  early  members  of  the  bar  and  of  the  ministry  the  his- 
tory of  Easton  is  very  explicit.  But  it  is  not  quite  so  clear  concerning 
the  early  physicians  of  the  community.  After  the  most  diligent  search 
the  historian  must  conclude  that  Dodlor  Andrew  Ledlie  was  the  first  physi- 
cian of  Easton.  His  name  is  found  first  in  1771,  appended  to  a  letter 
addressed  to  Lewis  Gordon,  containing  unfavorable  news  from  the  unhappy 
contest  in  Wyoming  Valley.  (Col.  Records,  Vol.  IX.)  His  name  is  next 
met  in  1776,  in  a  resolution  of  censure  passed  by  the  Committee  of  Safety 
in  Easton.  His  name  again  appears  in  the  proceedings  in  the  Council 
of  Safety  in  Philadelphia,  in  which  he  was  appointed  Surgeon  of  the  12th  Pa. 
Regt.,  commanded  by  Col.  Wm.  Cook.  In  1787  his  name  appears  as  chair- 
man of  a  public  meeting  in  Easton,  at  which  resolutions  were  passed  opposing  the  acfbion 
of  the  General  Assembly.  The  Council  of  Safety  in  Philadelphia  looked  upon  the  reso- 
lutions as  seditious,  and  ordered  the  Attorney  General  to  prosecute  Dr.  Ledlie  and  other 
leaders  of  the  meeting.  The  resolutions  had  reference  to  the  contest  in  Wyoming 
Valley.  (Col.  Records,  Vol.  XV.)  In  the  resolution  of  censure  passed  by  the  Commit- 
tee of  Safety  in  Easton  in  1776,  he  was  spoken  of  as  having  lived  in  Easton  "  many  years." 
His  name  appears  in  the  tax  list  of  1781,  where  he  was  taxed  for  468  pounds,  and  David 
Wagner  was  taxed  1151  pounds.  Where  he  was  born,  educated,  when,  where,  or  how  he 
died,  the  writer  was  not  able  to  find.  His  name  is  mentioned  as  late  as  1788,  in  the  Coun- 
cil at  Philadelphia,  which  is  six  years  before  the  advent  of  Dr.  John  Cooper  in  Easton. 
So,  it  is  quite  likely  that  Dr.  Ledlie's  professional  services  continued  up  to  the  arrival  of 
Dr.  Cooper.  The  last  named  gentleman  was  born  at  Long  Hill,  Morris  county.  New 
Jersey.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Caleb  Halstead,  of  Connedlicut  Farms,  and  after- 
wards with  Dr.  Melanchthon  Freeman,  of  Middlesex  county.  He  completed  his  medical 
course  with  Drs.  Richard  Ballay  and  Wright  Post,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was 
licensed  to  practice  in  New  Jersey,  November  6,  1787,  and  immediately  afterwards  was 
admitted  to  membership  in  the  New  Jersey  Medical  Society.  He  came  to  Easton  in 
November,  1794,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  the  pursuit  of  his  calling. 
His  reputation  for  skill  in  his  profession  was  such,  that  for  many  years  a  large  proportion 
of  the  most  diflScult  cases  were  visited  by  him  in  consultation  with  others,  and  not  until 
increasing  infirmities  prevented  did  he  cease  to  visit  the  sick  and  suffering.  For  more 
than  fifty  years  he  was  the  family  physician  of  the  most  intelligent  people  of  Easton,  and 
here  and  in  the  neighborhood  he  received  the  confidence  of  the  people.  In  1799  Gov- 
ernor MifHin  appointed  him  Judge  of  Common  Pleas,  which  position  he  held  contin- 
uou.sly  for  forty  years. 

MEDICAL   SOCIETY    OK    NORTHAMPTON    COUNTY. 

Previous  to  1849  there  was  no  medical  society  in  Northampton  county,  and  every 
phy.sician  was  a  law  unto  himself.  There  was  no  common  principle  of  artion  among  the 
medical  fraternity.      In  1849  a  call  was  published  at  the  instance  of  Dr.  Traill  Green,  in  the 


9^ .  »^tfC3C/Av 


Jirum  Drfinilirr.J-li.Il, 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


439 


papers  of  Easton  to  the  physicians  of  the  county,  to  meet  in  Easton,  in  the  Armory,  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  Medical  Society  for  the  county.  Twenty-two  physicians  met 
according  to  the  call,  and  formed  a  medical  society,  adopting  a  constitution  and  by-laws. 
Twelve  of  the  twenty-two  were  from  Easton.  There  were  thirty-four  regular  physicians 
in  the  county.  Of  the  twelve  from  Easton  nine  have  died  in  the  following  forty  years, 
leaving  but  three  of  the  twelve — Doctors  Traill  Green,  Amos  Seip  and  Samuel  Sandt. 
The  40th  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the  Society  was  celebrated  at  Paxinosa  Inn,  July 
10,  1889,  specially  in  honor  of  Dr.  Green.  (See  page  318  for  sketch  of  life.)  At  this 
August  gathering,  Dr.  S.  J.  Weaver  presided.  Dr.  Green  gave  an  address  on  "  Medicine 
Forty  Years  Ago;"  Dr.  Amos  Seip,  read  an  interesting  article  giving  a  history  of  the 
"Forty  Years  of  Medical  Life,"  and  Dr.  W.  L.  EstesofSt.  Luke's  Hospital  read  an  article  on 
"  Medicine  to-day."  Prof  J.  W.  Moore,  M.  D.,  of  Lafayette  College,  responded  to  the  toast 
"Our  Honored  Guest."  The  Professor  was  very  happy  in  his  remarks  concerning  the 
veteran  physician  of  Easton,  and  closed  with  the  following  beautiful  lines  : 


'  Where,  pure  and  pale,  the  starlight 
Far  down  the  Alpine  slope. 

Still  through  eternal  Winter  gleams 
The  snowy  ilower  of  hope, 

Undimmed  by  cloud,  undrenched  by 
So  may  his  laurel  last, 

While  shines  o'er  all  his  future  years 


'  Far,  far  from  him  the  mournful  hour 

That  brings  the  final  Call, 
And  o'er  his  scenes  of  grace  and  power 

Fate  lets  the  Curtain  fall  ! 
And,  O,  when  sounds  that  knell  of  wrath 

To  his  pure  soul  be  given, 
A  painless  Exit  from  the  earth 


The  rainbow  of  the  Past."  ,  And  Entrance  into  Heaven  !" 

Dr.  Green  made  a  happy  reply  to  Prof  Moore.  Rev.  Dr.  Thos.  Porter,  LL.  D., 
of  Lafayette  College,  responded  to  the  toast,  "  The  Natural  Sciences. ' '  The  dodlor  stands 
among  the  leading  botanists  of  the  scientific  world,  and  his  remarks  were  well  received. 


DR.  JOSEPH  K.  SWIFT 
Was  for  inany  years  a  prominent  physician  of  Easton.  He  was  a  pupil  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Dorsey,  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  institution  he  received  his  degree  in  1816,  and  soon  after  opened  an  office  in  Easton. 
He  was  a  neighbor  of  Dr.  Samuel  Gross,  and  they  were  quite  intimate  in  their  study  of  the  mineralogy  of  the 
region.  In  the  pursuit  of  the  study  of  this  science,  Dr.  Swift  became  quite  eminent,  so  much  so  as  to  attract 
the  attention  of  mineralogists  in  Europe  as  well  as  in  America.  Professor  Benjamin  Silliman,  of  Yale  College, 
visited  him  in  1824,  and  greatly  admired  the  beautiful  cabinet  of  minerals,  which  he  had  discovered  in  the 
vicinity.  Among  these  was  what  he  called  "Noble  Serpentine,"  which,  he  thought,  was  clearly  entitled  to 
rank  as  a  distinft  mineral  species.  He  also  found  splendid  "  crystals  of  Zircon,"  and  very  beautiful  crystal- 
lized mica  in  long  hexagonal  prisms.     Dr.  S.  was  a  good  physician  and  a  lover  and  successful  student  of  science. 

DR.  STEWART  KENNEDY 
Was  another  physician,  coming  a  little  later  into  practice.     He  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsylva- 
nia in  1820,  and  was  a  resident  of  Easton.     He  enjoyed  the  confidence,  and  had  a  large  share  of  the  pra<5lice 
of  the  town.     He  continued  in  practice  until  1841,  when  he  retired  and  purchased  a  fine  farm  in  Chambers- 
burg,  Pa. 

DR.  SAMUEL  GWINNER 
Graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1823,  and  enjoyed  for  a  time  the  benefit  of  hospital  pra(5lice, 
and  wrote  a  thesis  on  fever  at  the  almshouse  in  1821.     He  was  considered  a  well  educated  physician,  and 
praAiced  his  profession  for  some  years.     He  died  in  1843. 

DR.  HENRY  DETWILLER 
Was  a  distinguished  American  physician  and  scientist,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  oldest  homoeo- 
pathic medical  pradlicioner  in  the  United  States.     He  was  born  in  the  village  of  Langenbruck,  Canton  Basel 


440  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Land,  .Switzerland,  December  i8,  1795,  and  died  at  his  residence  in  Easton,  April  21,  1S87.  He  was  nearly 
ninety -two  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  is  pleasantly  remembered  by  many  people  of  Easton 
when  carrying  the  weight  of  ninety  years  on  his  stooping  shoulders  walking  through  the  streets  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  dailv  toil.  When  quite  a  child  he  showed  aptitude  for  stud_v,  and  his  parents  gave  him  the 
best  advantages  in  his  early  mental  growth.  At  thirteen  he  closed  his  studies  in  his  native  village,  and  entered 
a  French  Institute  at  St.  Immier,  where  he  spent  two  years.  Having  decided  to  study  medicine,  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  he  began  his  studies  as  a  private  pupil  of  Dr.  Laurentius  Serm,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  W'urz- 
burg.  Three  years  later  he  entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the  University  of  Freyburg,  in  the  Grand 
Duchy  of  Baden.  Here  he  spent  five  terms  of  six  months  each.  At  this  time  a  dream  of  the  death  of  his 
father  impressed  him  so  forcibly  that  he  immediately  hurried  to  his  home,  and  arrived  just  in  time  to  witness 
his  death.  In  this  journey  he  was  fined  for  traveling  without  a  passport.  He  determined  to  come  to  America 
where  he  could  go  from  city  to  city  without  a  passport  He  supplied  himself  with  surgical  instruments,  bade 
good-bye  to  his  mother  and  to  Europe,  and  came  to  America.  Thoroughly  qualified  for  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  he  was  appointed  physician  to  the  ship  whose  passengers  numbered  over  400.  He  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age  when  he  sailed  for  America.  His  skill  and  the  devotion  to  his  charge  won  the  approval  and  ad- 
miration of  the  officers.  Dr.  Detwiller  came  to  AUentown  in  1S17.  In  the  spring  of  1S18,  he  removed  to 
Hellertown,  Northampton  county.  Pa  ,  where  he  was  married  in  1818  to  Miss  Appel,  of  Hellertown.  Seven 
children  were  the  fruit  of  this  marriage.  He  was  an  early  convert  to  the  system  of  Hahnemann,  and  on  July 
23,  1S28,  dispeused  the  first  remedy  selecled  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  "  similia  similibus  curantur."  He 
followed  this  system  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  wife  died  in  1835.  In  1836  he  visited  Europe, 
accompanied  bv  his  eldest  son  Charles.  He  met,  while  in  Paris,  and  became  acquainted  with  Hahnemann,  the 
founder  of  homoeopathy.  In  1852  Dr.  Detwiller  moved  to  Easton.  where  he  spent  thirty-five  years  in  busy 
toil.  He  had  a  very  large  practice,  including  people  of  every  walk  in  life.  He  was  the  pioneer  of  the  new 
school  in  medicine.  Though  he  met  with  opposition  at  first,  that  died  away  and  he  lived  pleasantly  with 
do(5lors  of  the  old  school.  He  will  always  be  remembered  as  a  man  of  high  attainments  in  science,  a  Christian 
gentleman,  the  American  leader  in  the  "New  School  of  Medical  Art,"  a  true,  genial  friend,  and  a  pleasant 
companion.  With  a  vigor  of  mind  and  body,  exceptional  and  wonderful,  he  continued  to  practice  almost  to 
the  day  of  his  death.  About  three  weeks  before  his  death,  he  rose  early,  visited  a  patient,  and  returning  fell 
and  struck  his  head  on  the  pavement.  Two  weeks  after  his  fall,  on  the  morning  of  .April  21,  18S7,  he  passed 
quietly  away  surrounded  bv  his  children.  He  was  the  oldest  man  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  Easton,  and 
probablv  the  oldest  practitioner  in  the  world      The  venerable  man  left  many  friends  endeared  to  him. 

CRIDLAND  CROCKER  FIELD, 
Who  was  so  well  and  so  long  known  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  having  passed  about  fifl}-  years  of  his  life  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  died  suddenly  Friday  morning,  December  3,  1S86.  He  died  from  neuralgia  of 
the  heart,  which  all  remedies  were  helpless  to  relieve.  The  evening  before  he  was  active  as  usual,  and  there 
was  no  sign  of  approaching  dissolution.  The  painful  news  spread  rapidly,  and  there  was  no  sign  of  approach- 
ing dissolution.  The  painful  news  spread  rapidly,  and  there  was  none  but  must  have  felt  that  death  cut  short 
a  useful  and  energetic  life.  At  the  time  of  his  decease  Dr.  Field  had  almost  filled  the  measure  of  seventy 
years  ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  his  European  trip,  taken  a  few  3'ears  since,  ser\-ed  to  prolong  his  days.  Dr. 
Field  was  born  on  board  the  ship  "Ann  "  on  her  arrival  from  England,  within  the  bounds  of  Queen's  county. 
New  York,  on  February  iS,  1817.  In  his  name  was  incorporated  that  of  the  captain  (Crocker)  who  covered 
him  with  the  American  flag.  The  family  first  went  to  Philadelphia,  thence  to  Plainfield,  Northampton  county, 
and  then  returned  to  Philadelphia.  In  that  city  the  young  man  pursued  a  classical  course,  and  afterward 
became  a  private  student  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Wm.  E.  Horner,  late  professor  of  anatomy  in  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  author  of  "Horner's  Anatomy."  He  graduated  from  the  University  with  honor  iu  1837. 
His  ancestors  for  several  generations  were  medical  men.  One  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  London 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Ro^al  College  of  Surgeons,  and  another  was  a  student  of  Sir  Astley  Cooper,  Dr. 
Field's  father  practiced  in  Philadelphia  in  the  company  of  such  men  as  Physick,  McClellan,  etc.  In  1838 
Dr.  Field  came  to  Northampton  county  and  locating  for  the  time  iu  Bethlehem,  married  there  in  that  year, 
Susan  Freeman,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  .Susan  Freeman.  He  shortly  afterward  removed  to  Easton,  where  he 
had  practiced  his  profession,  almost  uninterruptedly  for  well  nigh  fifty  years.  Many  of  the  most  difficult 
operations  in  surgery  were  perfonned  by  him  successfully,  and  his  skill  and  professional  knowledge  often 
caused  him  to  be  called  into  consultation  with  other  physicians  and  to  be  summoned  as  an  expert  witness. 
The  difficulties  of  the  case  only  stimulated  his  action,  and  stirred  his  ambition.  Among  the  more  notable 
o])crations  he  performed  were  the  removal  of  a  cervical  tumor  with  ligation   and  excision  of  considerable  part 


E  ASTON.    PENN'A.  441 

of  the  internal  jugular  vein  ;  excision  of  the  entire  femur ;  excision  of  the  entire  radius  extirpation  of  the 
parotid  gland  ;  operation  of  laryngial  tracheotomy,  hip  joint  operation,  etc.  His  great  operations  were  mostly 
performed  on  the  neck,  from  which  he  removed  tumors  that  had  entirely  encompassed  the  cartoid  artery. 
In  his  praftice  and  otherwise  he  never  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the  call  of  the  poor,  and  his  humanity  led  him  often 
to  undertake  responsibilities  without  hope  of  reward.  His  books  bear  evidence  to  a  sum  equal  to  a  fortune 
uncolleaed  from  the  needy.  One  of  the  most  satisfactory  achievements  of  his  life  to  himself  was  the  removal 
of  a  shawl  pin  from  the  wind-pipe  of  a  little  girl  named  Castner,  of  South  Easton.  For  eleven  days  the  sufferer 
had  been  apparently  at  death's  door,  and  no  one  would  attempt  the  operation  ;  after  the  successful  perform- 
ance of  which  by  him  the  child  stretched  out  her  hand  in  thankfulness,  which  recognition  to  the  doAor  was 
more  than  money.  This  is  but  one  instance.  His  pride  in  and  love  for  his  profession  were  well  marked,  and 
no  amount  of  business  prevented  him  from  keeping  abrea.st  of  the  advance  of  his  profession,  as  recorded  in  the 
medical  journals  and  reviews.  His  cheerfulness  in  the  sick  room  was  proverbial,  as  was  his  usual  genial  nature. 
His  energy  at  all  seasons  was  alike  and  his  powerful  constitution  and  determined  will  served  him  well.  He 
ever  maintained  that  temperance  was  indispensable  to  a  successful  medical  career.  He  was  a  conscientious 
teacher  of  medical  men  and  was  the  preceptor  of  a  large  number  of  physicians  who  are  now  successful  prac 
titioners.  He  had  many  social  qualities,  was  widely  read  outside  of  his  profession,  and  thoroughly  posted  in 
literature  and  the  history  of  the  day.  Though  in  his  seventieth  year,  he  was  very  aftive  and  fond  of  company. 
He  was  interested  in  charity  and  a  liberal  giver,  but  in  a  quiet  way.  He  was  a  member  of  the  old  Easton 
Lodge,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Odd  Fellows  in  Easton.  He  was  also  a  member  of 
Trinity  Episcopal  Church,  Easton.  He  sustained  a  severe  shock  in  1884  in  the  sudden  death  of  his  esteemed 
wife,  who  had  written  him  just  before  he  sailed  for  home  after  his  European  trip,  and  who  died  a  day  or  two 
before  his  vessel  reached  New  York.  This  trip,  taken  with  his  son.  Dr.  B.  Rush  Field,  had  greatly  benefitted 
his  health,  but  the  blow  received  at  the  intelligence  of  his  wife's  demise  very  nearly  dissipated  the  efFedl  of  the 
relaxation  while  abroad.  His  wonderful  recuperative  powers,  however,  served  him  well  and  he  lived  through 
that  sad  hour  and  terrible  strain. 

DR.  DANIEL  LACHENOUR 
Was  for  more  than  forty  years  one  of  Easton's  leading  and  highly  respefted  citizens,  and  one  of  the  most  esteemed 
and  conscientious  physicians.  He  was  born  in  Salem,  North  Carolina,  Dec.  8,  1804,  and  educated  in  the  Moravian 
church,  to  which  he  adhered  through  life.  He  remained  at  Salem  till  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  when  he  came  to 
Philadelphia.  From  there  he  removed  to  Bethlehem,  where  he  would  find  the  religious  surroundings  of  his  childhood. 
Having  chosen  medicine  as  his  profession,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Abraham  Stout,  and  under  his  efficient  instruc- 
tion, he  studied  for  three  years.  He  then  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  at  that  institution 
with  distinguished  honors  in  1829.  His  thesis  upon  graduation  was  Ptyalism,  which  was  so  handled  as  to  receive  the 
warmest  praise  from  the  faculty.  In  July,  1830,  he  married  Miss  Henry,  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  18,^2  he  came  to  Easton, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  resulted  from  aneurism  of  the  aorta.  He  ranked  high  with  the  members  of 
the  profession,  and  his  opinions  were  always  regarded  with  the  greatest  respect.  He  was  thoroughly  in  love  with  his 
profession.  No  night  was  too  dark,  no  day  too  cold,  rarely  a  storm  too  severe  to  keep  hira  from  the  bedside  of  the 
sick.  Warm  in  his  friendship,  thoroughly  versed  in  the  details  of  his  duty,  he  built  up  for  himself  a  reputation  as 
widespread  as  it  was  deserving.  He  spoke  German  with  ease,  which  greatly  aided  him  in  his  work.  When  he  came 
to  Easton  he  took  the  practice  of  Dr.  Samuel  Gross,  who  had  an  office  in  a  small  frame  building  where  the  First 
National  Bank  now  stands.  The  friendship  between  Drs.  Laclienovir  and  Gross  continued  warm  through  life.  No 
man  was  too  poor  to  demand  the  professional  attendance  of  Dr.  Lachenour.  His  relations  with  his  medical  brethren 
were  happy  and  in  entire  accord  with  the  ethics  of  the  profession,  and  his  close  adherence  to  these  social  duties  are 
worthy  of  imitation.  On  the  occasion  of  his  death,  a  large  gathering  of  medical  men  from  E:iston  and  vicinity  met  in 
the  rooms  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  passed  resolutions  warmly  eulogistic  of  the  dead  Dottor. 

DR.  AMOS  SEIR 
Dr.  Amos  Seip,  one  of  the  three  living  who  aided  in  forming,  the  Northampton  Medical  Society,  was 
bom  in  Easton  in  1822.  His  father,  Michael  Seip,  was  of  German  parentage,  whose  ancestors  were  driven 
from  the  Palatinate  in  the  religious  persecution  of  the  seventeenth  century.  Mr.  Seip  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  Easton,  and  pursue  1  the  stu  ly  of  his  profession  uuder  the  tuition  of  Dr.  J.  P.  B.  Sloan, 
an  eminent  physician  of  Easton.  He  then  entered  the  office  of  Dr  C.  C.  Field,  a  well  known  physician  and 
surgeon.  He  subsequently  became  a  private  pupil  of  Drs  Harris,  Hartshorne  and  Kane,  the  latter  familiarly 
known  from  his  Arcflic  explorations,  all  of  Piiiladelphia  He  received  his  medical  degree  from  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  the  spring  of  184S.  He  commenced  pra6lice  at  Freemausburg,  where  he  remained  until 
1856,  when  here  moved  to  Easton,  and  has  continued  to  pracflice  here  In  1863  the  do(5lor  became  a  member  of  the 
State  Medical  Society,  and  is  one  of  the  ex-vice  presidents  of  that  body.     He  became  a  member  of  the  American 


442 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Medical  Association  in  1S64,  and  was  amember  of  the  International  Medical  Congress  held  in  Philadelphia  during 
the  centennial.  He  was  President  of  the  Northampton  Medical  Society  in  1S75.  During  the  late  war  the 
do(flor  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  ''Invalid  Corps,"  stationed  at  Easton,  where  a  hospital  was  established. 
The  corps  consisted  of  soldiers  suffering  from  chronic  affe(ftions  and  wounds  that  prevented  a<5live  service  in 
the  field,  but  were  sent  to  the  front  as  rapidly  as  possible  after  recovery.  Dr.  Seip  has  been  awake  to  the 
advancement  of  medical  science,  and  was  a  leading  advocate  for  the  use  of  the  microscope  in  the  profession 
He  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the  Lehigh  Valley  Microscopial  Society  in  18S1,  which  was  organized  in 
his  office.  For  more  than  forty  years  Dr.  Seip  has  followed  his  profession,  and  is  still  aiftive  and  energetic  in 
his  work.  He  has  kept  up  with  the  advance  of  medical  science,  and  has  always  had  the  entire  confidence  of 
the  fraternity.  He  is  always  attentive  in  his  work,  patient  in  his  ministrations,  faithful  as  a  physician,  trust- 
ful as  a  friend,  prompt  in  duty  and  honorable  in  his  dealings  with  all.  He  is  genial  and  courteous  in  his  inter- 
course in  social  life,  cheerful  and  hopeful  in  the  chamber  of  suffering,  which  does  so  much  to  assuage  the 
pains  of  the  patient  He  is  careful  and  deliberate  in  his  diagnosis,  decided  in  his  treatment,  which  qualifica- 
tions have  won  for  him  a  position  in  the  front  rank  of  his  profession. 

DR  JOHN  J  DETWILLER 
Of  Easton  was  associated  with  his  father  for  many  years,  and  resides  in  the  family  home.  He  prepared  for 
college  in  the  school  of  Dr.  Vanderveer  and  graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1854.  He  returned 
diredlly  to  Easton,  and  entered  into  practice  with  his  father,  and  remained  with  him  until  his  death,  a  period 
of  thirty -three  years.  He  stands  eminent  as  a  surgeon,  in  his  school  of  praftice.  He  has  been  particularly 
successful  in  lithotomy,  and  has  preserved  many  of  the  calculi  taken  from  the  bladder,  and  some  of  them  five 
inches  in  circumference.  In  this  painful  ailment  he  has  never  failed  in  the  use  of  the  scalpel.  He  has  been 
successful  also  in  the  removal  of  the  lense  in  cataraft. 

DOCTOR  SAMUEL  SANDT 
Was  born  in  Lower  Mount  Bethel  in  1815.  He  received  his  early  training  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town. 
He  spent  about  one  year  and  a  half  in  Lafaj-ette  College,  and  one  session  at  Gettysburg.  He  studied  medicine 
with  Dr.  H.  H.  Abernethy,  who  is  now  living  in  Jersey  City.  He  took  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  received  his  diploma  from  that  institution  in  1844.  He  married  Miss  Susan  Fleming,  and 
they  have  a  family  of  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  six  grandchildren  living.  He  began  praiflice  in 
Plainfield  township,  and  came  to  Easton  in  1848.  He  served  three  years  as  surgeon  of  the  Ssth  Pennsylvania 
Regiment  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  He  has  been  successful  in  his  calling  He  is  now  an  invalid,  suffer- 
ing from  partial  paralysis,  and  confined  to  his  home. 

The  following  is  an  alphabetical  list  of  the  physicians  of  Easton.  Dr.  Green  is  the 
oldest,  having  been  fifty-four  years  in  the  profession,  and  his  name  is  widely  known  as  a 
scientist,  as  well  as  an  eminent  physician.  Drs.  Ludlow,  Sandt,  Seip,  Cavanaugh,  Arndt, 
Detwiller,  Eugleman,  Roseberry,  Hunt  and  Laubach  stand  next  in  length  of  time  in 
service,  and  are  regarded  as  men  whose  skill  has  been  enhanced  by  close  attention  to  their 
duties.  And  there  is  still  a  younger  class,  adlive  in  duty,  patient  and  faithful  in  their 
work,  some  of  whom  have  acquired  a  standing  which  call  for  their  services  out  of  the  city. 


Peter  Arndt, 
Oliver  E.  E.  Arndt, 
S.  S.  Apple, 
S.  S.  Bachman, 
A.  C.  Bachman, 
James  Cavanaugh,  Sr. 
James  Cavanaugh,  Jr. 
Brentano  Clemens, 
Charles  U.  Collniar, 
William  C.  Cox, 
W'iMiam  Ueats, 
John  J.  Detwiller, 
Horace  L.  Uetwiller, 
E.  D.  Doolittle, 
Samuel  Edclman, 


David  Engelman, 
William  E.  Evans, 
Howard  Fackenthal, 
Rush  B.  Field, 
Geo.  B.  Wood  Field, 
Trail  Green, 
Edgar  M.  Green, 
John  Trail  Green, 
Jacob  B.  Heller, 
Joseph  S.  Hunt, 
Peter  N.  Jacobus, 
Stephen  Laubach, 
Henry  D.  Lachenour, 
Alfred  H.  Lee, 
Jacob  R.  Ludlow, 


Anna  M.  McAllister, 
H.  D.  Michler, 
Charles  Mclntire, 
Isaac  Ott, 

Charles  I.  Roseberry, 
Samuel  Sandt, 
William  E.  Schoch, 
Amos  Seip, 
M.S.  Seip, 
John  J.  Serfass, 
William  F.  Shick, 
Edward  C.  Swift, 
S.  P.  Uhler, 
Robley  U.  Walters, 
Henry  F.  Weaver. 


-z^i 


THE  CEMETERIES. 


iHE  FIRST  public  burial  ground  within  the  present  city  limits  is  located 
at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Church  streets.  This  land  was  a  gift  from  the 
heirs  of  William  Penn,  and  holds  the  remains  of  William  Parsons,  notable 
in  the  annals  of  Easton's  survey  and  earliest  history. 

The  lot  adjoining  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  on  Ferry  between 
Fourth  and  Bank  streets  was  for  a  long  time  used  as  the  grave  yard  for 
members  of  that  congregation.  Within  it  the  remains  of  George  Taylor 
were  laid  to  rest.  Nearly  all  the  bodies  are  now  in  the  Easton  Cemetery. 
The  Presbyterian  burial  ground  adjoins  the  church  of  that  denomina- 
tion at  Second  and  Bushkill  streets,  extending  to  the  Bushkill  Creek. 

The  first  Hebrew  burial  ground  was  near  the  Synagogue  on  Sixth 
street  and  was  donated  to  the  congregation  by  Michael  Hart,  the  first  Hebrew  settler  in 
Easton.  Later  a  lot  between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth,  and  extending  from  Washington 
to  Butler  streets,  was  utilized  by  the  congregation.  In  1888  the  burial  ground  on  Sixth 
street  was  sold  and  the  bodies  removed. 

A  few  bodies  whose  resting  places  are  still  marked  by  tombstones  may  be  found  on 
the  lot  connedted  with  Trinity  Episcopal  Church,  at  Spring  Garden  street. 

At  one  time  a  grave  yard  adjoined  the  Second  street  Methodist  edifice,  but  many 
years  have  elapsed  since  interments  have  taken  place  in  that  locality. 

St.  Bernard's  Catholic  Cemetery  is  located  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Lehigh  streets, 
and  adjoins  the  church. 

THE  EASTON  CEMETERY. 
During  1849,  in  the  progress  of  a  course  of  ledlures  at  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church, 
Dr.  Traill  Green  called  attention  to  the  advisability  of  locating  mausoleums  at  a  distance 
and  apart  from  centres  of  population.    He  prepared  a  paper  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  : 

Easton,  Pa.,  March  15,  1849. 
"The  subscribers  being  convinced  that  only  very  limited  provision  can  be  made  for  interment  within  the 
Borough  of  Easton,  and  persuaded  that  many  advantages  would  be  secured  to  themselves  and  future  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Borough,  by  establishing  at  a  convenient  point  in  the  neighborhood,  do  hereby  agree  to  unite  in 
forming  a  public  cemetery  to  be  located  in  the  country.     The  following  are  the  conditions  : 

1st  As  soon  as  a  sufficient  number  of  names  are  procured,  a  meeting  shall  be  called  to  appoint  a  Commit- 
tee to  select  the  ground. 

2d.  An  architect,  familiar  with  cemetery  improvements,  shall  be  called  to  examine  the  grounds  selected, 
and  the  Committee  shall  report  to  the  subscribers  at  a  general  meeting. 

3d.  Managers  shall  be  eletted  to  purchase  the  grounds,  and  attend  to  the  business  of  the  Company  as  shall 
be  diredled  by  a  constitution  hereafter  framed. 

4th.  No  speculation  in  lots  shall  be  permitted,  the  object  being  to  furnish  all  with  suitable  burial  lots,  and 
to  enclose  and  keep  in  permanent  order  and  beauty  the  cemetery  by  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  lots." 

This  paper  was  circulated  and  was  signed  by  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Easton.  On  the  2nd  of  April,  1849,  the  subscribers  met  and  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  examine  the  various  localities  proposed.  Thomas  T.  Miller,  then  a  young  man, 
took  strong  ground,  as  one  of  the  corporate  members,  in  favor  of  the  present  locality,  and 
his  good  judgment  is  seen  in  the  topography  and  tasteful  and  artistic  adornment  of  the 
beautiful  and  sacred  spot.     The  land  was  bought  of  Mr.  David  Wagner,  the  price  paid  was 


444  THE   HISTORY   OF 

$6,000.  Additional  land  was  bought  of  Mr.  Michael  Butz  at  $175  per  acre.  William  L. 
Sebring  and  Dr.  Traill  Green  made  the  last  purchase.  The  entire  quantity  of  ground 
was  about  forty  acres,  thirty-five  from  Mr.  Wagner  and  five  from  Mr.  Butz. 

The  Ac?t  incorporating  the  cemetery  was  approved  April  5,  1849.  Traill  Green, 
John  J.  Burke,  Samuel  Ludwig,  Samuel  Drinkhouse,  John  Green,  Jr.,  Philip  Mixsell, 
Jacob  Weygandt,  Edward  F.  Stewart,  George  Field,  Thomas  T.  Miller,  Theodore  Mixsell, 
Samuel  Moore,  Peter  S.  Michler  and  George  W.  House!  were  the  corporate  members  of 
the  company.  The  grounds  have  been  laid  out  in  plots,  carriage  ways  and  foot  paths, 
beautifully  adorned  by  ornamental  shade  trees,  shrubs  and  flowering  plants.  The  spot  is 
very  beautiful  by   nature,   and   made  more  so   by    art.     There    is  a  neat  little  chapel. 


built  of  stone  in  which  services  can  be  held  by  those  coming  from  a  distance  to  bury  their 
dead.  There  are  many  costly  monuments,  on  the  construction  of  which  the  skill  of  the 
artist  has  been  freely  bestowed,  and  which  help  to  give  a  melancholy  pleasure  to  those 
who  spend  an  hour  in  meditations  among  the  tombs.  There  are  pretty  little  summer 
houses  where  the  weary  wanderer  can  sit  and  rest,  as  he  gazes  upon  this  quiet  cit>-  of  the 
dead,  and  inhale  the  fragrance  of  the  flowers  arranged  with  so  much  care  by  sorrowing 
ones,  and  so  often  watered  by  their  tears. 

There  is  a  neat  cottage  near  the  entrance  of  the  Cemetery  for  the  residence  of  the 
Superintendent.  The  approach  to  the  Cemetery  is  through  North  Seventh  street,  up  a 
gentle  ascent,  and  through  a  triple  arch-way,  built  of  red  granite.  Free  access  is  allowed 
during  the  weekdays,  but  on  the  Sabbath  tickets  of  admission  are  necessary  and  are  only 
issued  to  jilot  owners. 


COMMERCIAL   FACILITIES, 


JASTON  is  but  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  old,  and  yet  it  has  passed  through 
a  more  changeful  period  than  any  of  equal  length  since  creation,  and  in 
no  feature  of  social  life  is  this  more  evident  than  in  the  methods  of  com- 
mercial intercourse.  Ernest  Becker  was  a  German  immigrant,  a  baker  by 
trade.  He  came  to  Easton  when  there  were  but  three  houses  here  and 
followed  his  calling  under  great  difficulties,  being  compelled  to  bring  his 
flour  from  Bethlehem  on  his  back  along  Indian  paths.  Horses  were  used 
as  they  were  obtainable.  Articles  were  brought  a  great  distance  on  the 
backs  of  horses,  sometimes  as  far  as  Williamsport  and  also  to  and  from 
Philadelphia  till  1792  ;  wagons  were  used  with  difficulty  previous  to  that 
time,  owing  to  bad  roads.  As  soon  as  roads  were  made,  heavy  wagons  were 
brought  into  use  for  summer  and  sleds  for  winter.  Easton  became  a  commercial  centre 
for  a  large  region.  As  early  as  1758  Durham  boats  were  used  on  the  Delaware,  floating 
down  with  the  current,  and  being  brought  back  against  the  current  by  the  use  of  long 
poles  pressed  against  the  river  bottom.  These  boats  were  the  vehicles  of  commerce  till 
the  canals  were  opened,  uniting  Easton  with  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  The  canal 
conuecSting  Easton  with  Philadelphia  was  begun  in  1828  as  a  work  of  doubtful  expedi- 
ency. But  the  canal  did  a  great  deal  for  Easton.  The  Durham  boatmen  vented  their 
feelings  against  the  canal  as  only  sailors  can.  These  boats  had  controlled  the  commerce 
of  the  valley  for  seventy  years,  and  they  did  their  work  well.  During  all  this  period  these 
boatmen  of  the  Delaware  carried  heavy  remittances  with  a  stern  honesty  never  excelled 
by  any  body  of  men  ;  and  it  is  remarkable,  that  not  an  instance  of  defalcation,  even  in  the 
smallest  amount,  was  known.  They  were  rollicking,  generous-hearted,  open-handed  men, 
as  ready  for  fun  and  frolic  as  they  were  for  toil.  They  felt  as  much  pride  in  their  boats  as 
ever  filled  the  breast  of  the  sailors  treading  the  deck  of  a  man-of-war  when  going  into 
battle.  As  the  canal  approached  completion  they  saw  their  employment  was  about  to 
change.  The  joyful  songs  which  had  echoed  so  long  among  the  hills  and  valleys  would 
soon  cease  and  the  Durham  boats  pass  away  forever.  They  felt  somewhat  as  the  Indians 
felt  when  driven  from  the  graves  of  their  fathers.  The  Morris  canal  was  finished  in  1832, 
and  thus  opened  communication  with  New  York.  The  commercial  advantages  of  Easton 
now  seemed  complete,  as  they  had  ready  communication  with  the  two  largest  cities  in  the 
country,  and  they  felt  they  needed  nothing  better  for  commercial  intercourse  with  the  out- 
side world.  But  the  spirit  of  progress  was  about  to  bring  greater  changes  still.  The  rail- 
road would  do  for  the  canals  what  the  canal  had  done  for  tlie  Durham  boats.  The  Cen- 
tral railroad  of  New  Jersey  was  opened  to  Easton  July  2,  1852.  The  first  train  of  cars 
arrived  at  Phillipsburg  about  2  o'clock  on  the  above  date.  It  was  a  great  day  for  Easton. 
There  were  eight  passenger  cars  containing  sixty  passengers  in  each.  A  procession  was 
formed  and  marched  across  the  bridge  to  Easton.  Thirty-two  guns  were  fired  on  Mount 
Jefferson,  all  the  bells  were  rung,  flags  were  displayed  on  every  hand,  and  every  manifes- 
tation of  joy  was  exhibited  by  the  people.    A  platform  was  erected  at  the  old  Court  House. 


446 


THE   HISTORY  OF 


Speeches  were  made  by  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  Esq.,  Judge  Nar,  Charles  King,  J.  P.  Jackson, 
Erastus  Brook  and  others. 

On  Friday,  February  3,  1854,  the  Belvidere  Delaware  Railroad  was  opened  to  Phil- 
lipsburg.  There  was  a  special  train  of  fifteen  cars,  twelve  of  which  were  filled  with  people 
from  Philadelphia,  and  the  remainder  with  citizens  of  New  Jersey,  among  whom  were  the 
Governor,  heads  of  departments,  and  members  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  numbering 
in  all  about  one  thousand  persons.  As  the  train  approached  it  was  announced  by  the 
firing  of  cannon,  ringing  of  bells  and  vociferous  shouts  of  the  multitude  at  various  points 
to  welcome  the  coming  of  a  horse  of  iron,  and  the  friendly  burden  it  was  hurrying 
to  the  "  Forks  of  the  Delaware."  All  felt  it  was  a  day  of  joy,  and  that  all  had  a  right  to 
shout,  which  they  did  with  a  "right  good  will."     The  bands  played  patriotic  airs,  the 


DESIGN  OF  THE  NEW   LEHIGH   VALLEY  DEPOT. 
(From  Architects'  Drawing.    By  S.  Kind.) 

people  shouted  and  sang  to  express  their  joy — Easton  would  be  connected  with  the  com- 
mercial capital  of  Pennsylvania — would  be  within  three  hours  ride  of  Philadelphia.  At 
half-past  one  the  train  arrived  at  the  depot  in  Phillipsburg,  where  a  procession  was 
formed  by  the  marshal  and  escorted  over  the  bridge  by  the  committee,  consisting  of 
H.  D.  Ma.xwell,  James  M.  Porter,  J.  N.  Hutchinson,  David  Barnet  and  Samuel  Wetherill. 
Andrew  H.  Reeder  made  the  welcome  address.  There  was  never  a  happier  throng  on 
the  banks  of  the  Delaware. 

The  Ivchigh  Valley  Railroad  was  at  first  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  Delaware, 
Lehigh,  Schuylkill  and   vSusquehannah   Railroad  Company  b\-  the  Ad'l;  of  Assembly  .\pril 


EASl^ON,    PENN'A. 


447 


21,  1846.  The  subscription  of  stock  was  slow,  and  it  was  not  until  August,  1847,  that  a 
sufficient  amount  of  stock  was  secured.  At  the  ele<5lion  of  officers  of  the  company  James 
M.  Porter  was  elecfted  president,  Dudley  S.  Gregory,  John  S.  Dorsey,  John  P.  Jackson, 
Daniel  Mclntyre,  Edward  Riddle,  John  N.  Hutchinson,  managers,  and  John  N.  Hutch- 
inson, secretary.  On  the  7th  of  January,  1853,  the  name  of  the  company  was  changed  to 
the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company,  and  on  the  loth  of  that  month  James  M.  Porter  was 
elected  president.  Asa  Packer  contradled  to  construct  the  road,  and  on  Nov.  27,  1852, 
began  the  deep  rock  cut  at  Easton.  The  road  was  completed  and  accepted  by  the  company 
Sept.  24,  1855,  and  has  become  a  very  important  one  for  business,  connecting  as  it  does,  the 
coal  region  with  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  opening  communication  with  the  West. 
Ground  is  being  broken  near  the  southern  entrance  of  the  Lehigh  bridge  for  the  erection 


LEHIGH  AND  SUSQUEHANNA   DEPOT. 
(Drawn  by  S.  Kind.) 

of  the   finest   modern  depot  in  the  whole    Lehigh  Valley.     (See  engraving.)     Geo.  W. 
Hayden,  of  Easton,  contractor. 

The  Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  is  the  only  line  of  steam  railway  whose  tracks  lie  in  the 
city  limits.  It  extends  from  Easton  to  Green  Ridge,  two  miles  above  Scranton.  It  enters 
Easton  along  the  left  bank  of  the  Lehigh.  The  first  charter  of  a  portion  of  this  road 
(Wilkesbarre  to  White  Haven)  was  obtained  as  early  as  1837,  but  a  charter  for  the  entire 
length  was  not  obtained  until  1863.  The  road  was  completed  to  a  connedlion  with  the 
New  Jersey  Central  at  Easton  in  1865,  and  leased  to  that  road  March  31,  1871.  In  1885 
the  old  Fourth  street  depot  was  burned  and  a  worn  out  passenger  car  was  used  as  a  ticket 
office  and  waiting  room  until  1889.  The  company  has  just  completed  a  beautiful  and 
commodious  depot  at  the  foot  of  South  Fourth  Street.  (See  engraving.)  Geo.  W.  Hayden, 
of  Easton,  contractor. 


STREET  ILLUMINATION. 


IXTIL  quite  a  recent  date  great  or  small  cities  knew  nothing  of  lighted 
streets — darkness  reigned  supreme.  Two  or  three  hundred  years  ago  the 
great  cities  of  Europe  were  making  efforts  to  obtain  some  relief  from  dark- 
ened streets,  and  in  141 6  the  householders  in  London  were  ordered  to  hang 
out  lanterns  in  front  of  their  houses  on  winter  evenings  This  custom 
was  in  pra6lice  for  three  hundred  years,  but  as  no  person  was  obliged  to 
keep  them  lighted  later  than  eleven  o'clock,  the  remainder  of  the  night 
was  in  total  darkness.  As  these  lamps  were  made  of  thin  horn,  very  little 
light  was  afforded  by  them.  Public  lanterns  were  first  thought  of  a  little 
over  two  hundred  years  ago,  and  they  were  first  introduced  into  Paris  in  1667, 
and  the  introdudlion  was  hailed  as  a  great  event.  The  age  of  oil  lamps 
came  about  the  year  1762.  It  was  not  till  1807  that  coal  gas  began  to  be  used  in  lighting 
some  of  'the  cities  of  Europe,  but  the  first  attempt  to  use  gas  in  the  United  States  was  at 
Baltimore  in  1816,  or  1821.  It  was  introduced  into  Boston  in  1822,  and  the  following 
year  it  was  used  in  New  York.  The  early  public  lighting  of  Easton  was  obtained  from 
fat,  oil  and  candles  ;  whale  oil,  camphene  and  etherial  oil  followed  each  other  in  the 
efforts  to  dispel  the  darkness  of  the  streets. 

EASTON   GAS   COjMPANV. 

On  March  4,  1850,  by  Adl  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  David  Connor, 
Washington  McCartney,  Jacob  H.  Wilking,  James  A.  Dunlap,  Theodore  R.  Sitgreaves, 
William  Hackett,  Joseph  Savitz,  Joseph  Hagenbuch,  George  W.  Barnet,  Matthew  Hale 
Jones,  Peter  Bellis,  Peter  Pomp  and  Thomas  Bishop,  were  made  a  body  corporate  by  the 
name  of  the  Easton  Gas  Company.  William  Hackett  is  now  (1889)  the  only  original 
incorporator  living.  The  charter  fi.xed  the  capital  stock  at  $40,000,  with  the  right  to 
increase  it  to  $100,000,  and  a  subsequent  enaClment  gave  the  right  to  increase  the  capital 
stock  to  $200,000. 

The  works  of  the  company  first  went  into  operation  in  1851,  on  Thanksgiving  night, 
and  the  first  bills  presented  for  gas  were  to  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  consumers.  The 
people  of  Easton  had  an  additional  reason  for  thanksgiving — the  streets  were  well  lighted, 
and  ver\'  many  inconveniences  became  relics  of  the  past.  The  number  of  street  lamps  at 
first  was  nineteen,  and  the  price  of  gas  was  four  dollars  per  thousand  feet,  the  average 
consumption  was  four  thousand  one  hundred  feet. 

In  1854  the  Legislatures  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  permitted  the  company  to 
light  the  streets  of  Phillipsburg,  and  in  the  same  year  an  enactment  was  obtained  permitting 
the  gas  company  to  light  the  streets  of  South  Easton.  The  company  at  first  experienced 
great  embarrassment,  but  with  the  increase  of  population  business  increased,  and  the 
company  has  met  with  marked  success.  The  works  have  the  capacity  of  125,000  cubic 
feet  per  day  of  twenty-four  hours.  The  largest  tank  was  built  in  1872,  being  seventy 
feet  two  inches  in  diameter,  and  thirty  feet  deep.  The  gas  holders  will  store  190,000 
cubic  feet. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  449 

The  first  eledlion  under  the  charter  was  held  at  the  public  house  of  Mrs.  White,  in 
Centre  Square,  on  the  fifth  of  May,  1851.  Matthew  Hale  Jones,  J.  M.  Porter,  Washington 
McCartney,  P.  H.  Mattes,  Jacob  Weygandt,  G.  W.  Barnet,  Thomas  Deshler,  Trail  Green 
and  Jacob  Rader  were  chosen  diredlors.  The  Board  was  organized  by  eledling  Matthew 
Hale  Jones,  President  ;  Washington  McCartney,  Secretary  ;  P.  H.  Mattes,  Treasurer. 
Samuel  Boileau  is  now  President  and  Nelson  Hoyt,  Superintendent. 

ELECTRIC   LIGHTS. 
The  history  of  the  introdudlion  of  eledlric  light  into  Easton  is  of  deep  interest.     After 
the  burning  of  Pardee  Hall  (June  4,  1879),  and  while  the  ladies  of  Easton  were  getting 


SOUTH  THIRD  STREET,    1SS9. 
(From  Photoi,'raph  by  Pach.) 

up  a  fair  for  the  refurnishing  of  the  new  building,  Mr.  William  Young  conceived  the  idea 
of  lighting  the  hall  in  Porter's  Block  with  eledlricity,  but  Mr.  Henry  Fulmer  very  gen- 
erously procured  Able  Hall,  and  so  Mr.  Young  abandoned  the  idea,  and  placed  his 
light  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Centre  Square.  He  obtained  a  dynamo  making 
three  hundred  and  eighty  revolutions  per  minute,  to  which  was  attached  a  Baxter  ten- 
horse  power  engine,  and  the  Square  was  ablaze  with  a  three  thousand  candle  power  light. 
In  the  spring  of  1888  another  enterprise  was  started.  A  charter  was  obtained  at  that 
time  by  H.  G.  Tombler,  Charles  Seitz,  C.  B.  Hetrich,  James  J.  Cope  and  James  K.  Dawes, 
under  the  name  of  the  Elecflric  Lighting  Company.     Their  object  was  to  combine  the  arc 


450  THE  HISTORY  OF 

and  incandescent  systems.  This  the  Edison  people  would  not  permit,  and  because  of  this 
and  other  difficulties,  the  effort  was  abandoned.  The  credit  of  having  introduced  the  first 
incandescent  light  into  Easton  belongs  to  Mr.  Howard  Rinek.  He  had  erecled  a  handsome 
dwelling  on  College  Hill  and  had  it  illuminated  by  the  Weston  United  States  incandes- 
cent light.  There  are  sixty  lights  throughout  his  dwelling,  which  are  supplied  by  a 
dynamo  making  fourteen  hundred  revolutions  per  minute,  and  run  by  an  automatic 
engine  of  two-horse  power.  This  he  claims  is  cheaper  than  gas.  In  the  winter  of  1885 
and  '86  Cornell  &  Michler  placed  the  incandescent  lights  into  their  store.  They  used  the 
United  States  system  with  a  Brush  dynamo,  and  they  had  twenty  lamps  in  their  place  of 
business.  These  were  different  from  the  Edison  horse  shoe,  being  spiral,  so  as  to  get 
more  incandescent  surface.  The  engine  was  run  by  a  water  motor,  but  the  high  tax 
for  the  water  compelled  its  abandonment.  In  1882  the  Armoux  Hockhausen  light 
was  again  introduced  by  private  enterprise.  Mr.  John  V.  Stout  undertook  to  supply 
stores  and  business  places  with  this  light.  He  also  made  an  offer  to  the  city  to  light 
the  streets  at  night.  Some  fifteen  lights  were  placed  in  diflferent  stores.  The  dynamo 
they  had  in  use  was  capable  of  supplying  electricity  for  about  twenty-five  lamps,  and  was 
run  by  a  Buckeye  engine  of  forty-five  horse  power  at  H.  O.  Saylor's  manufaclory  at  the 
foot  of  South  Fourth  street.  The  light  was  entirely  satisfactory,  and  was  furnished  at  a 
reasonable  rate,  but  they  could  not  induce  the  Borough  to  enter  into  a  contract  for  lighting 
the  streets,  neither  could  they  obtain  enough  private  subscriptions  to  pay  them. 
After  running  for  a  period  of  about  three  months,  extending  over  the  holidays  of  1882  and 
1883,  they  abandoned  the  projedl,  having  suffered  some  loss.  We  clip  from  one  of  the 
daily  papers  of  that  time  the  following:  "Through  the  energy  and  perseverence  of  Mr. 
John  V.  Stout,  the  eledlric  light  will  be  introduced  into  Easton  by  Saturday  night  next. 
Mr.  Stout  has  purchased  the  machinery,  wire  and  poles,  and  has  leased  power  from  the 
Easton  Foundry  Facing  Fa<5lory,  at  the  foot  of  South  Fourth  street.  A  gang  of  men  will 
begin  on  Monday  next  to  erect  the  poles  and  hang  the  wires.  The  light  used  will  be  the 
Armoux  invention."  A  great  deal  of  interest  was  felt  in  the  matter.  The  effort  of  Mr. 
Stout  was  an  event  which  cast  its  shadow  before  it.  People  had  seen  the  ele(5lric  light, 
and  walked  in  its  brightness,  and  though  Mr.  Stout  did  not  succeed  at  that  time,  and  the 
bright  jets  were  extinguished,  the  question  of  lighting  Easton  by  eledlricity  was  settled. 
It  was  only  a  matter  of  time.  July  3,  1885,  three  years  after  Mr.  Stout  had  set  the  ball  in 
motion,  a  petition  largely  signed  was  presented  to  council  praying  that  body  to  take  mea- 
sures to  light  the  city  with  ele^lricity.  The  petition  was  referred  to  the  Police  Committee, 
who  made  a  favorable  report  on  the  31st  of  the  month.  The  committee  was  instruAed 
to  obtain  reports  from  other  places  in  regard  to  the  cost  of  plant  and  running  expenses. 
At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings  Hon.  Samuel  Boileau,  President  of  the  Gas  Company, 
came  before  Council  and  made  an  offer  to  liberally  reduce  the  price  of  gas.  But  slow- 
moving  bodies  are  as  difficult  to  stop  when  they  get  in  motion  as  they  are  to  start.  This 
offer  was  made  October  23,  1885,  and  on  the  i8th  of  December  the  Police  Committee 
consisting  of  Robert  H.  Lerch,  Abraham  Meyer,  Henry  C.  Barnet,  William  H.  Hulick 
and  Charles  F.  Chidsey  reported  in  favor  of  eleclric  lights.  The  next  move  was  to  authorize 
a  committee  to  visit  other  places  and  examine  the  several  systems  in  use  in  different  cities. 
On  the  recommendation  of  this  committee,  a  city  plant  was  located  on  Wolf  street  and  the 
contra<5l  for  the  ere6fion  of  the  building  was  given  to  S.  I'.  Rachmau  for  $4,346,  he  being 


EASTO.y,    PEA'N'A. 


451 


the  lowest  bidder.  At  the  meeting  of  Council,  June  18,  1886,  an  eledtric  light  depart- 
ment was  organized,  consisting  of  one  engineer,  one  fireman,  two  linemen  and  one  super- 
intendent, the  last-named  to  be  chairman  of  the  Eledlric  Light  Committee.  The  salaries 
are — engineer  ^600  per  year,  fireman  $480,  linemen  $400.  At  the  meeting  of  July  16,  the 
Finance  Committee  reported  that  they  had  made  awards  for  the  |i8,ooo  4-per-cent.  bonds 
and  had  realized  a  premium  of  $360,  the  bonds  selling  for  $102  and  $102.50.  Charles 
F.  Wert  was  chosen  engineer,  Lawrence  Deichman,  fireman,  James  Caflin  and  James  Cal- 
ahan,  linemen.      The  business  was  finished.      The  streets  would  hereafter  be  lighted  by 


MARKET  DAY 

(From  1 


iOUARE,  1SS9. 


elecftricity.     There  are  two  engines  each  ofsi.xty  horse  power.     There  are  three  dynamos, 
all  in  operation  at  the  same  time,  capable  of  sustaining  nearly  one  hundred  lights. 

THE    PENNSYLVANIA    COMPANY. 

The  Pennsylvania  EIe6lric  Light  and  Power  Company  was  established  at  the  head 
of  Green  street  on  the  Bushkill  Creek,  in  1886.  The  lamps  and  power  of  this  company 
are  exclusively  for  commercial  purposes,  and  hence  can  only  be  found  in  stores  and  fac- 
tories. The  building  is  80x200  feet  in  size  and  contains  a  sixty  horse  power  engine  driv- 
ing two  dynamos  of  a  capacity  of  nearly  one  hundred  lights.  The  superintendent,  William 
Hoff,  with  one  inside  and  one  outside  assistant,  completes  the  force  required  for  the  success- 
ful working  of  the  plant. 


452 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


EDISON    ELECTRIC    ILLUMINATING   COMPANY. 

The  above  named  company  commenced  business  in  the  early  part  of  1889,  the  charter 
members  being  H.  G.  Tombler,  John  T.  Knight,  Samuel  Drake,  William  Young,  Wil- 
liam H.  Hulick,  Nelson  P.  Cornell,  and  Russell  C.  Stewart.  The  officers  of  the  company 
are  H.  G.  Tombler,  President,  and  Howard  Rinek,  Secretary.  The  employes  are — How- 
ard Rinek,  general  manager  ;  C.  S.  Neiman,  overseer  of  meter  room  ;  Lawrence  Deich- 
man  and  Charles  Bishop,  engineers  ;  Jacob  Able  and  Daniel  Poff,  firemen  ;  B.  F.  Shaffer, 
wire  chief. 

The  plant  is  located  on  Ferry,  near  Second  street,  and  visitors  thereto  will  be  well 
repaid  by  the  examination  of  the  intricate  and  delicate  machinery  required  for  the  suc- 
cessful manipulation  of  the  thousands  of  lights  scattered  throughout  the  city.  This  light 
is  produced  by  subjecfting  a  loop  of  carbonized  bamboo  in  a  vacuum  to  a  white  heat.  The 
illumination  is  steady,  agreeable  to  the  eye,  and  is  far  superior  for  household  use  to  any 
heretofore  locally  used.  The  building  in  use  is  of  two  stories,  with  a  front  of  thirty  and 
depth  of  ninety  feet  ;  the  ground  floor  being  of  concrete  and  the  ceiling  of  corrugated  iron. 
The  fuel  required  is  delivered  directly  from  boats  on  the  Lehigh  to  the  storage  bins 
by  a  system  of  chutes,  and  thence  brought  to  the  furnaces  by  elecftric  elevators.  Two 
engines  of  ninety-two  horse  power  and  four  dynamos,  with  a  colledlive  capacity  of  over 
two  thousand  lights  are  now  in  position,  while  sufiicient  space  remains  for  two  more 
engines,  witli  a  corresponding  increase  of  the  dynamic  force.  All  the  dynamos  are 
conne<fted  with  a  regulating  stand,  and  so  perfedl  is  this  in  the  record  of  the  lights  in  use, 
that  the  condition  of  the  light  or  lights  or  the  extinguishment  of  a  single  burner  in  any 
part  of  the  city  is  made  known  to  the  engineer  in  charge,  and  its  location  told.  Thus 
far  the  company  has  strung  about  twenty-two  tons  of  outside,  and  fifty  thousand  feet  of 
interior,  wire.  About  twenty-five  hundred  lamps  are  now  in  daily  use,  the  current  being 
in  force  throughout  the  whole  twenty-four  hours.  Besides  eledlricity  for  illuminating 
purposes  the  company  is  prepared  to  furnish  power  for  mechanical  devices  and  heavy 
machinery.  At  the  present  writing  the  bellows  of  the  new  organ  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  is  kept  in  motion  by  power  from  this  plant. 

The  second  floor  of  the  plant,  reached  by  a  winding  staircase,  contains  the  ofiice  of 
the  general  manager,  meter,  globe  and  fixture  rooms,  lumber  and  wire  lofts,  etc.  In  the 
meter  room,  all  necessary  appliances  for  preparing  these  important  instruments  may  be 
found.  The  record  of  the  heft  of  the  plates  steeped  in  quicksilver  is  made  before  their 
transfer  to  the  place  of  use.  The  variations  of  the  weight  of  these  plates  determines  the 
consumption  of  light.  The  scales  which  decide  this  variation  are  of  such  delicate  con- 
strucSlion  that  an  atom  of  dust  will  throw  them  out  of  equipoise.  Many  other  instruments 
of  curious  use  can  here  be  found,  all  of  which  are  masterpieces  of  the  mechanics'  art,  but 
which  want  of  space  forbids  describing. 

The  company  has  canvassed  Phillipsburg  with  a  view  of  extending  its  wires  and  fur- 
nishing both  public  and  private  lights  to  that  city,  and  confidently  expecfts  to  very  soon 
cover  all  the  territory  embraced  within  the  city  limits,  extending  from  Union  Square  to 
the  Catholic  Church. 


TELEGRAPH  AND  TELEPHONE, 


HE  HISTORY  of  eledlricity  in  Easton,  in  its  application  to  business,  and 
the  conveniences  of  life,  is  a  matter  of  great  interest.  The  laws  which 
govern  this  wonderful  force  in  nature  have  been  in  operation  since  crea- 
tion, but  not  till  modern  times  have  they  been  only  partially  discovered. 
Benjamin  Franklin  led  off  in  the  investigation  of  these  laws,  discovered 
the  identity  between  galvanic  and  atmospheric  elecftricities,  and  left  it  to 
those  who  should  come  after  him  to  apply  them  to  the  advance  of  civiliza- 
tion. Galileo,  in  one  of  his  dialogues  on  the  rival  systems  of  astronomy, 
written  in  1632,  puts  into  the  mouth  of  one  of  his  speakers,  a  reference  to 
a  secret  art,  by  which,  through  the  sympathy  of  the  magnetic  needle,  "  It 
would  be  possible  to  converse  across  the  space  of  two  or  three  thousand 
miles."  In  1753  a  letter  appeared  in  the  Scott's  Magazine,  Vol.  XV,  bearing  the  initials 
of  C.  M.,  and  headed,  "An  Expeditious  Method  of  Conveying  Intelligence."  This 
interesting  letter  starts  with  the  remark,  "That  it  is  well  known  to  all  who  are  conversant 
in  elecSlric  experiments,  that  the  eledlric  power  may  be  propagated  along  a  wire  from  one 
place  to  another,  without  being  sensibly  abated  by  the  length  of  its  progress."  And  the 
letter  goes  on  to  describe  the  insulation  of  the  wires  by  glass  or  jewelers'  cement,  on 
supports  some  twenty  yards  apart. 

Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  while  crossing  the  Atlantic  in  1832,  from  Havre  to  New  York, 
conceived  the  principle  of  the  magnetic  telegraph.  He  at  once  went  to  work  to  develop 
the  principle  thus  conceived  while  rocked  by  the  ocean  waves.  In  1843  ^^  ^^^  completed 
his  great  inventions.  He  had  exhausted  his  limited  means  and  was  compelled  to  appeal 
to  Congress  for  aid  to  put  up  an  experimental  line  from  Baltimore  to  Washington.  In 
the  last  hours  of  the  session  of  1843  the  vote  was  passed,  granting  $30,000  to  put  up  an 
experimental  line  of  wires  from  Baltimore  to  Washington.  One  of  the  greatest  inventions 
in  the  history  of  science  became  thus  an  established  fa6l. 

The  first  telegraphic  operations  in  Easton  were  commenced  in  the  spring  of  1848, 
and  the  office  at  that  time  was  located  in  a  basement  on  the  north  side  of  Centre  Square. 
William  Brown  was  appointed  the  first  operator,  who,  after  a  short  time  was  suc- 
ceeded by  James  L.  Mingle,  then  of  Easton,  who  held  the  position  for  a  long  period,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Alonzo  P.  Cottingham.  Since  that  time  Mr.  R.  O'Brien,  Miss  Kate 
Denny,  Charles  Hirschberger,  James  K.  Simpson,  John  C.  Alexander  and  William  Cur- 
ren  have  been  the  managers  of  the  Easton  office  in  the  order  named.  In  1873  Mr,  John  Say- 
lor  was  appointed  manager  of  the  Western  Union  office  and  is  still  the  efficient  incumbent. 
The  office  was  moved  to  the  building  now  occupied  by  it  in  1871,  and  in  the  room 
now  used  in  1874.  In  1887  the  Superintentent's  office  at  Phillipsburg,  N.  J.,  was  closed 
and  all  the  wires  were  run  into  this  building.  The  business  of  the  company  here  is  exten- 
sive and  in  the  main  satisfacflory  to  the  public.  The  special  newspaper  reports  received 
at,  and  daily  transmitted  from,  Easton  are  very  lengthy  and  complete.  The  office  is 
equipped  in  the  best  style,  and  its  wire  facilities  for  the  rapid  transadlion  of  business  are 
equalled  only  in  the  larger  cities.      Twenty-six  wires  and  fifteen  instruments  are  in  use. 


454 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


THE  TELEPHONE. 


Man\-  people  thought  when  the  Electric  Telegraph  was  established  that  we  probably 
had  reached  the  end  of  electric  wonders.  But  after  the  marvelous  developments  of  fifty 
years,  Mr.  Edison  claims  that  electrical  science  is  in  its  infancy.  In  some  respecfts,  the 
telephone  is  more  wonderful  than  the  telegraph.  Bell  and  Gray  are  competitors  for  the 
honor  of  the  final  discovery  which  made  the  telephone  an  accomplished  fact.  Gray  was 
but  a  few  hours  behind  Bell  in  his  appearance  at  the  Patent  Office  in  Washington,  but  far 
enough  behind  to  lose  the  title  of  discoverer  of  this  wonderful  invention.     Many  people 


EAST   NORTH.'\MPTOX  .STREET,  :SSq. 
(From  Photograph  by  Pach.) 

claim  that  Gray  is  the  rightful  discoverer,  while  the  United  States  Supreme  Court  has  deci- 
ded in  favor  of  Bell.     The  discovery  was  reported  at  the  patent  office  February  14,  1S76. 

The  telephone  was  introduced  in  Easton  through  the  enterprise  and  perseverance  of 
Mr.  John  V.  Stout,  in  May,  1880.  He  had  cultivated  a  very  thorough  knowledge  of  elec- 
trical science,  and  becoming  interested  in  the  telephone,  had  several  wires  erecl;ed  for 
private  use.  Later  he  established  an  exchange.  Connections  were  soon  made  with  all 
prominent  towns  in  the  Lehigh  Valley.  The  exchange  began  its  career  with  less  than 
forty  subscribers  ;  and  only  those  who  have  the  instruments  fully  appreciate  the  indebted- 
ness of  our  city  to  the  enterprise,  industry  and  perseverance  of  Mr.  Stout.  When  well 
established  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  business  to  the  Pennsylvania  Telephone 
Company,  which  assumed  control  on  January  i,  1883.  Mr.  W.  Bampfield  is  now  the  effi- 
cient superintendent. 


CITY  RAIL\A/AYS 


HE  EASTON  and  South  Easton  Passenger  Railway  Company  was  incor- 
porated in  1866,  the  authorized  capital  being  $75,000.  The  first  ofiBcers 
were  William  H.  Thompsou,  President,  and  Edward  H.  Green,  Secretary 
and  Treasurer.  The  original  roadway  from  Centre  Square  to  the  Lehigh  Val- 
ley Railroad  Shops  was  one  and  three-eighth  miles  in  length. 

In  1871  the  West  Ward  Passenger  Railway  Company  was  chartered, 
the  capitalization  being  $25,000,  of  which  amount  two-fifths  was  paid  in. 
The  officers  were  Jacob  B.  Odenwelder,  President,  and  Edward  H.  Green, 
Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  road  bed  extended  from  Centre  Square  through 
Northampton,  Walnut  and  Washington  streets  to  the  Forest  House  in 
Palmer  Township. 

In  1886  the  above  companies  were  consolidated  under  the  style  of  Easton,  South 
Easton  and  West  End  Passenger  Railway  Company.  Henry  A.  Sage,  the  present  head 
and  manager  of  the  company,  has  held  the  office  of  president  continuously  since  1876. 
By  the  charter,  the  company  possesses  the  exclusive  right  to  build  and  operate  a  passenger 
tramway  on  any  street  that  is  now,  or  may  in  future,  be  opened  within  the  city  limits. 
The  Easton  and  Phillipsburg  Passenger  Railway  Company  extends  ffom  Centre 
Square,  Easton,  to  Union  Square,  Phillipsburg,  and  thence  the  entire  length  of  Main 
street  to  Cooper's  Furnace.  Its  authorized  capital  is  $50,000,  of  which  $28,000  has  been 
paid  in.  The  officers  are  Samuel  Boileau,  President,  and  James  W.  Long,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer. 

The  Tracftion  Company  which  commenced  business  in  1888,  extended  at  that  time  from 
the  Third  street  Bushkill  bridge  through  Chestnut  and  Cattell  streets  to  the  brick  yard. 
During  the  spring  of  1889  the  track,  notwithstanding  great  opposition  on  the  part  of 
property  owners  on  North  Third  street,  was  extended  to  Centre  Square.  Much  ill  feeling 
was  engendered,  and  litigation  over  infringement  of  the  chartered  rights  of  the  Easton, 
South  Easton  and  West  End  Railway  Company  loomed  up.  To  settle  the  controversy 
Mr.  Sage,  President  of  the  last-named  corporation,  purchased  the  property  of  the  Tracftion 
Company  and  began  making  extensive  improvements  thereon.  Among  these  were  con- 
nections at  the  Circle  between  the  two  roads  and  the  extension  of  the  Tradlion  Road  at 
both  termini,  the  northerly  end  now  being  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  Paxinosa  Inn  and 
the  southerly  terminus  the  Central  Railroad  station,  foot  of  South  Fourth  street.  On  the 
completion  of  these  improvements  a  new  company,  styled  the  Pennsylvania  Motor  Com- 
pany, took  the  eledlric  road  franchise,  and  with  the  extra  travel  caused  by  the  guests  of 
Paxinosa  Inn,  the  improvement  of  the  picnic  grounds  at  the  northerly  end  of  the  road,  viz. , 
Shawnee  Spring,  and  the  daily  travel  from  the  Third  Ward,  is  now  on  a  sound  financial  and 
paying  basis.  Mr.  Sage,  in  behalf  of  the  companies  he  has  so  successfully  engineered 
and  managed,  is  now  using  every  effort  to  extend  the  Easton,  South  Easton  and  West  End 
road  through  the  entire  length  of  Northampton  street,  thus  adding  much  to  the  comfort 
of  the  residents  of  that  progressive  portion  and  beautiful  residential  section  of  our  city. 


NEWSPAPERS  AND  PRINTING 


ASTON  has  always  occupied  a  front  rank  in  the  annals  of  Pennsylvania 
journalism,  and  has  the  credit  of  successfully  condudliug  at  the  present 
day  the  first  weekly,  semi-weekly,  and  daily  papers  established  in  the  State 
outside  of  Philadelphia,  and  east  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains. 

The  History  of  Northampton  County  records  on  page  154  the  follow- 
ing :  "The  year  1793  saw  the  establishment  of  the  first  printing  office  and 
newspaper  in  the  Borough  by  Jacob  Weygandt.  The  paper  was  a  small 
and  insignificant  sheet,  and  was  printed  in  the  German  language.  Not 
much  is  known  of  it,  but  its  circulation  was  probaoly  very  limited,  for  the 
tastes  of  those  German  inhabitants  did  not  run  in  the  direcftion  of  news- 
papers ;  and  as  for  the  job  printing  branch  of  the  business,  it  must  have 
been  small  indeed."  A  copy  of  a  sheet  published  by  Mr.  Weygandt,  dated  1804,  and 
entitled  Easton  Gennan  Patriot  and  Country  man  s  Weekly  Paper,  is  still  in  existence,  and  niay 
possibly  be  a  .specimen  of  this  first  journalistic  effort.  The  columns  numbered  twelve, 
the  size  of  the  sheet  being  12x20  inches. 

In  1799  a  second  newspaper  called  The  American  Eagle,  made  its  appearance.  It  was 
printed  in  English  by  Mr.  Longcope,  but  received  very  little  encouragement. 

The  oldest  weekly  in  the  State,  outside  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Tlie  Northampton 
Correspondciit,  was  printed  originally  in  German  by  Christian  J.  Hutter.  At  its  inception 
in  i8or  it  was  a  diminutive  sheet,  but  in  the  hands  of  its  enterprising  publisher  soon 
became  the  leading  paper  of  the  county.  This  periodical  has  had  a  varied  career,  having 
changed  owners  several  times.  In  1875  it  became  the  property  of  the  publisher  of  the 
Argus,  and  is  now  issued  from  that  office. 

The  Northampton  Farmer  was  started  in  18 12,  by  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Rogers,  in  a  log 
building  on  Northampton,  between  Second  and  Third  streets,  but  was  in  1818  sold  to 
George  Deshler  and  Samuel  Moore,  who  rechristened  it  "The  Spirit  of  Pennsylvania." 

The  People's  Instructor  also  came  into  existence  about  this  time.  It  was  a  combined 
English  and  German  sheet,  but  lived  for  a  short  time  only. 

The  Easton  Sentinel  made  its  appearance  July  i,  1817,  and  has  regularly  appeared  for 
the  past  seventy-two  years.  Its  proje(?tors  were  Col.  C.  J.  Hutter  &  Son.  In  politics  it 
has  always  been  Democratic  and  has  retained  the  confidence  of  that  party.  The  present 
proprietor  and  publisher  is  J.  P.  Correll. 

The  Weekly  Argus  first  appeared  in  1826  as  an  advocate  of  General  Jackson  to  the  pres- 
idency. Its  editors  were  Jacob  Weygandt  and  Samuel  Innes.  Up  to  1844  it  was  called 
the  Democrat  and  Argus,  but  in  that  year  Col.  William  H.  Hutter,  a  young  man  of  nine- 
teen years,  became  the  owner  and  changed  the  title  to  Easton  Argus.  Col.  Hutter  wielded 
the  editorial  pen  for  twenty-five  years.  He  then  (1869)  sold  it  to  William  Eichman  and 
James  F.  Shunk.  In  the  following  year  Messrs.  Cole  &.  Morwitz  purchased  Mr.  Eich- 
man's  interest.     At  the  present  time  it  is  owned  by  Mr.  Morwitz,  of  Philadelphia,  edited 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A.  457 

by  William  H.  Eichman,  a  former  proprietor  of  the  Express  and  published  by  Oliver  L. 
Fehr,  who  also  issues  the  Daily  Argus,  established  in  1879. 

77^1?  Eastoji  Whig,  afterward  called  i\\&  Journal,  was  started  in  1850  by  Josiah  P.  Het- 
rich,  and  had  a  successful  career  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  Eastonian,  Cooley,  Stephens  &  Davis,  publishers,  appeared  in  1850,  and  lasted 
for  about  seven  years. 

The  Easton  Free  Press  (Weekly)  first  appeared  in  1852.  Its  original  title  was  The 
Northamptoti  Farmer.  The  title  Free  Press  first  appears  in  1857.  In  1859  Lewis  Gordon 
obtained  control,  the  paper  then  being  a  folio  of  twenty-eight  columns.  A  number  of 
changes  in  the  editorial  management  have  taken  place  within  the  past  twenty  years.  The 
present  owners  are  Andrews  &  Clifton.  From  1866  to  1884  a  daily  and  weekly  edition 
were  issued.     During  the  latter  year  the  weekly  was  replaced  by  a  semi-weekly  issue. 

A  short-lived  sheet  called  the  Bauern  Zcitung  appeared  for  a  few  months  by  Henry 
Guenther  in  1853,  but  died  for  want  of  adequate  support. 

The  first  daily  newspaper  in  the  State  (north  of  Philadelphia)  was  The  Easton  Daily 
Express,  which  put  forth  its  initial  number  in  1855,  William  M.  Davis  and  William  H. 
Eichman  being  the  projedlors.  From  1864  to  1870  Mr.  Davis  was  the  sole  proprietor, 
Mr.  Eichman  having  retired.  The  sheet  is  the  largest  in  the  Lehigh  Valley,  being  a  folio 
of  nine  columns  to  the  page.  The  Northampton  Democrat,  a  weekly  periodical  issued 
from  this  office  was  presented  to  the  public  in  1882.  In  politics  it  is  radically  Democratic, 
the  owner  and  proprietor  being  Howard  Mutchler. 

The  Morning  Times  was  an  independent  daily,  commenced  and  published  for  about 
fourteen  months  during  1857  ^"^^  ^858,  by  Samuel  P.  Higgins. 

Der  Easton  Adler  had  a  brief  existence  during  1858  and  1859,  under  the  editorial 
management  of  Thomas  Lynn. 

A  German  paper,  entitled  Der  Beobachter,  commenced  publication  in  i860,  under  the 
dire<5lion  of  W.  H.  and  A.  N.  Seip.  Both  editors  enlisting  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebel- 
lion, the  sheet  was  discontinued,  as  well  as  the  semi-monthly  periodical  belonging  to 
the  same  parties,  and  called  The  Times. 

From  1868  to  187 1  a  weekly  known  as  The  Tenth  Legion  Democrat  ^n^^s,  published  by 
Hilburn  &  Eichman. 

On  May  15,  1875,  W.  Gibson  Field  commenced  the  publication  of  a  daily,  entitled 
The  Morning  Dispatch.  The  proximity  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  the  early 
distribution  of  their  great  dailies,  caused  its  demise  in  November,  1876. 

The  Sunday  Call  made  its  debut  in  1883.  It  is  a  quarto  of  forty-eight  columns, 
stridlly  independent  in  politics.     J.  P.  Correll  is  the  editor  and  proprietor. 

The  American  Mechanics'  Advocate  was  first  published  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  but  in  1878 
it  became  the  property  of  William  M.  Shultz  of  this  city.  The  latter  sold  it  in  1888  to 
other  parties,  and  it  is  now  said  to  be  published  in  Philadelphia. 

The  Council  Brand,  T.  D.  Tanner,  editor  and  proprietor,  is  the  ofiBcial  organ  of  the 
Red  Men,  and  has  a  national  circulation.     It  is  printed  at  the  Free  Press  publishing  rooms. 

The  Lafayette,  a  bi-weekly,  and  The  Melange,  a  yearly  publication  by  the  students  of 
Lafayette  College,  is  issued  from  the  Job  Printing  Office  of  Mr.  George  W.  West,  who 
also  publishes  the  Easton  City  Direcflory,  The  Prograin,  and  other  minor  publications. 


DISASTROUS  FLOODS. 


|HERE  are  still  a  number  of  people  living  who  remember  the  flood  of 
November  4,  1840.  The  Easton  Whig,  of  that  date  says  :  "  The  rain  fell 
in  torrents  and  caused  our  streams  to  rise  very  rapidly.  The  Lehigh, 
which  usually  rises  very  quickly,  came  thundering  down  with  her  torrents 
from  tributaries  among  the  mountains.  There  was  considerable  damage 
done  at  the  mouth  where  the  new  dam  is  being  construcfted.  The  abutment 
of  the  dam,  which  is  but  partly  finished,  was  overflowed,  the  water  wash- 
ing away  the  bank  along  side.  The  large  fire-proof  four-story  brick  build- 
ing, immediately  below  the  dam,  was  entirely  demolished,  being  under- 
mined by  the  water.  It  fell  with  a  heavy  crash.  The  water,  by  this  time, 
had  got  such  a  head  as  to  endanger  the  whole  bank,  which  it  was  fast 
undermining.  So  great  was  the  apprehension,  that  families  along  the  river  removed  all 
their  goods,  expelling  their  dwellings  would  be  swept  away.  The  principal  loss  sus- 
tained is  the  destruction  of  the  store  house  and  the  washing  of  the  street,  which  will 
require  a  vast  amount  of  filling  in,  and  a  slope  wall,  at  a  heavy  expense,  to  place  it  in 
proper  order." 

January  8,  1841,  two  months  later  than  the  above,  the  rivers  rose  still  higher,  caused 
by  long  continued  rains  and  the  thawing  of  the  snow  in  the  mountains.  The  Delaware 
rose  to  a  point  thirty-five  feet  above  low  water  mark,  producing  ruin,  waste,  and  desola- 
tion on  every  side,  and  carrying  away  with  resistless  force,  houses,  barns,  fences,  animals, 
and  grain.  It  was  expecfled  that  the  solid  old  Delaware  bridge  would  yield  to  the  tremen- 
dous power  of  the  flood,  and  people  gathered  in  crowds,  waiting  for  hours,  to  see  it  torn 
from  its  foundation,  but  waited  in  vain,  for  it  remains  in  its  place  to  this  day.  George 
Laws'  bridge,  over  the  Lehigh,  was  less  fortunate.  All  night  it  stood  against  the  power- 
ful current,  but  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  January  8th,  it  yielded,  and  in  fragments 
was  whirled  away  by  the  angry  waters,  leaving  only  the  abutment  and  piers  standing. 
This  was  a  covered  bridge,  like  the  one  crossing  the  Delaware.  Every  bridge  on  the 
stream  below  Lehigh  Gap  was  swept  away.  The  dwellings  on  the  Lehigh  as  far  back  as 
Lehigh  street  were  filled  in  the  lower  stories  with  water,  and  furniture  and  movables 
were  destroyed.  These  misfortunes  fell  mostly  upon  those  least  able  to  bear  them,  and 
being  in  the  midst  of  winter,  great  distress  followed. 

In  June,  1862,  there  was  another  of  these  destru(5live  floods  to  which  the  Lehigh  was 
so  liable.  At  night,  on  Tuesday,  June  3d,  the  rain  began  to  fall  steadily,  and  continued 
during  Wednesday  and  Wednesday  night.  On  Thursday  forenoon  the  Lehigh  had  become 
a  roaring  torrent  which  swept  all  before  it. 

The  Free  Press  of  June  12th,  contains  the  following:  "The  rise  of  the  water  was 
equal  to  that  of  January  8,  1841.  In  some  localities  it  was  reported  a  little  higher,  in 
others  a  little  lower,  than  on  that  memorable  occasion.  The  destrudlion  of  property  at 
this  time  is,  however,  infinitely  greater  than  it  was  then.  This  difference  arose,  first, 
from  the  large  amount  of  improvements  made  in  the  valley,  and  second,  from  the  satu- 
rated and  softened  condition  of  the  ground.     During  Wednesday  night  and  Thursday 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


459 


morning,  consternation,  excitement,  lamentation,  and  distress  reigned  along  the  whole 
valley.  Early  on  Thursday  morning  the  river  was  discovered  to  be  literally  covered  with 
floating  timber,  boats,  houses,  stables,  bridges,  furniture,  and  articles  of  every  kind  used 
in  civilized  society.  All  the  bridges  from  Mauch  Chunk  to  Easton  were  either  wholly  or 
in  part  gone.  The  canal  boats,  loaded  and  unloaded,  are  nearly  all  carried  down  the 
stream.  The  houses  along  the  canal  and  on  the  flats  along  the  river  are  nearly  all  ruined 
or  swept  away.  Residents  on  the  banks  awoke  in  time  only  to  save  themselves,  but  to 
leave  all  their  goods  to  the  mercy  of  the  destroying  element.     Horror  and  dismay,  terror 


VIEW  OF  THE  LEHIGH    BRIDGE  OF  1862. 
Removing  of  same,  Jane  1889.    (By  Pach.) 

and  destruction,  and  darkness  was  all  around.  Daylight  only  served  to  reveal  that  which 
made  the  heart  sick,  and  brought  sorrow  and  sadness  to  the  beholder.  The  earnings  that 
had  been  gathered  slowly  by  years  of  hard  toil  and  economy,  were  swept  away  in  a  few 
hours,  and  the  man  who  felt  that  he  had  made  some  provision  for  the  future  was  poor  and 
penniless.  No  pen  can  describe  the  amount  of  misery  produced  during  that  fearful  night. 
In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Easton,  Messrs.  Deshler,  Day  &  Woodring,  McKeen,  Yohe, 
Rodenbough  &  Brothers,  and  others  have  lost  heavily  in  lumber.  Colonel  Yohe,  how- 
ever, sustained  a  heavy  loss  at  his  saw  mill  in  the  swamp,  so  that  his  whole  loss  may  reach 
six  thousand  dollars.     James  McKeen  suffered  a  loss  in  South  Easton,  and  also  in  the 


460 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


swamp,  so  that  his  loss  is  very  heavy,  amounting  perhaps  to  twenty  or  thirty  thousand 
dollars.  Day  &  Woodring  had  a  large  quantity  of  sawed  lumber  in  their  yard.  What 
their  loss  will  be  has  not  been  estimated.  In  short,  the  whole  valley  has  been  cleaned  of 
sawed  lumber  and  saw  logs.  Many  of  the  poor  boatmen  passed  through  Easton,  homeward 
bound,  some  barefooted,  without  coats,  and  in  a  very  destitute  condition,  having  lost  their 
all  in  a  few  hours.  About  a  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred  tons  of  coal  was  swept 
away  from  Michler's  coal  yard,  and  what  was  left  was  literally  covered  with  mud.  Near 
the  Lehigh  bridge,  in  Easton,  the  water  came  through  the  streets,  tore  up  the  pavements 
and  carried  away  the  brick  and  ground  to  the  depth  of  two  or  three  feet.  The  brick  wall 
at  the  end  of  the  bridge  was  carried  away.     Of  the  bridge,  the  lower  or  floor  timbers  are 


VIEW   UP   THE   LEHIGH   RIVER  AT  EASTON.      By  S.  Kind. 
(Showing  new  Lehigh  Bridge,  Suspension  Bridge  and  L.  &  S.  Depot ) 

gone,  with  the  flooring,  and  also  some  of  the  arch  timbers,  but  most  of  these  remain. 
Some  of  the  posts  and  braces  are  broken,  but  most  of  these,  with  top  plates  and  roof  are 
still  in  position.  The  test  upon  that  stru6lure  was  very  severe,  but  it  remains  in  part,  and 
has  already  been  made  safe  for  foot  passengers.  The  houses  along  the  river  were  all  filled 
with  mud  and  water.  The  fish  market,  near  Mr.  Sletor's  hotel,  was  carried  away,  also 
Mr.  Sletor's  carpenter  shop.  A  large  stable  was  carried  away  from  Snufftowu.  Wolver- 
tou  &  Walter  lost,  perhaps,  a  thousand  dollars  in  having  grain  spoiled.  Drake  (K:  Hulick's 
loss  will  be,  perhaps,  ten  thousand  dollars,  in  boats,  injury  to  goods,  and  various  other 
ways.  The  number  of  dead  bodies  found  up  to  this  time  is  quite  large,  we  suppose  it 
cannot  be  much  less  than  fifty,  and  doubtless  many  more  will  be  found  when  the  rubbish 
along  the  river  shall  be  cleared  away.  In  cases,  whole  families  are  gone.  The  heart 
sickens  at  the  recital  of  this  terrible  catastrophe  that  has  befallen  the  beautiful  valley  of 
the  Lehigh." 


NAVIGATION  OF  THE  DELAWARE, 


HERE  was,  at  a  time,  a  general  belief  that  the  upper  waters  of  the  Dela- 
ware could  be  navigated  by  light  draught  steamers.  The  projedl  was 
started  by  the  building  of  the  "Major  William  Barnet,"  in  Philadelphia, 
in  185 1.  The  steamer  was  to  be  at  Easton  on  July  4th,  but  did  not 
arrive.  A  large  concourse  of  people  from  the  country  came  to  celebrate 
the  event  and  see  the  pioneers  of  commerce  on  the  Delaware.  Many  declared 
the  people  of  Easton  did  not  expedl  the  steamer,  that  it  was  merely  a  ruse  to 
bring  them  in  town  and  get  their  money,  and  some  hard  words  were  used. 
The  steamer,  however,  arrived  March  12,  1852.  There  was  a  jolly  time 
at  the  "Forks;"  visions  of  prosperity  and  wealth  floated  in  the  air. 
Judge  Porter  made  a  speech.  Dr.  Lilly,  of  Lambertville,  answered  it  in 
eloquent  terms.  The  day  of  prosperity  was  growing  brighter.  The  company  adjourned 
to  the  American  Hotel,  and  Easton's  hospitality  was  boundless,  and  writers  of  that  day  tell 
us  the  enthusiasm  was  wonderful  and  began  to  grow  dangerous  as  the  hours  rolled  on 
and  the  libations  continued.  The  vessel  made  regular  trips  between  Easton  and  Lambert- 
ville for  a  season,  but  at  length  was  withdrawn  and  the  enterprise  abandoned.  The  river 
was  too  shallow  and  the  danger  too  great.  Later,  a  stern-wheel  boat,  "The  Reindeer," 
attempted  the  enterprise,  but  she  too  soon  left  the  field. 

"THE  ALFRED  THOMAS." 

During  the  summer  of  1859  the  public  were  given  to  understand  that  a  small  steamer, 
then  being  built  at  Easton,  was  to  run  on  the  Delaware,  between  Belvidere  and  Port 
Jervis,  the  distance  between  the  two  places  being  about  sixty  miles.  For  a  large  part  of 
this  distance  there  were  no  means  of  transporting  produce  on  either  side  of  the  river. 
It  was  felt  that  such  an  undertaking  would  result  in  a  great  public  benefit,  and  after 
mature  consideration,  Messrs.  William  R.  Sharp,  Alfred  Thomas,  and  Richard  Halcomb, 
were  encouraged  to  proceed  with  the  work.  Mr.  Thomas  Bishop,  boat-builder  of  Easton, 
was  employed  to  constru6l  it,  and  the  engine  was  to  be  built  by  Mr.  Wells,  of  South 
Easton.  The  steamer  was  to  be  fourteen  feet  wide,  between  eighty  and  ninety  feet  long, 
and  of  one  hundred  tons  burden.  Mr.  William  Parks,  Judge  Sharp,  and  William  Thomas, 
made  a  thorough  examination  of  the  river,  and  thought  all  obstrudlions  could  be  removed 
at  a  trifling  expense,  compared  with  the  benefits  to  be  conferred,  by  the  completion  of  the 
undertaking.  In  the  meantime  the  work  on  the  steamer  was  progressing.  There  was  a 
deep  concern  felt  in  the  enterprise,  which  grew  stronger  from  day  to  day.  Its  completion 
was  watched  with  great  interest  by  the  many  visitors  at  the  place  of  building.  On  the 
i6th  of  January,  i860,  a  short  trial  trip  was  made  up  the  Lehigh,  which  did  not  prove 
satisfactory.  Alterations  were  then  made,  which  occupied  some  time,  and  on  the  5th  of 
March  she  was  ready.     She  was  named  the  "Alfred  Thomas,"  after  one  of  the  proprietors. 

On  the  morning  of  March  6th,  with  the  American  flag  flying  from  the  upper  deck, 
and  with  about  one  hundred  persons  on  board,  she  steamed  out  of  the  boat  yard,  down 
the  Lehigh  to  the  out-let  lock  at  Williamsport,  through  which  she  passed  after  a  little 


46 


THE   HISTORY  OF 


delay,  and  then  out  upon  the  bosom  of  the  Delaware.  At  Keller's  hotel,  above  the 
bridge,  which  she  reached  about  noon,  a  stop  was  made,  and  many  of  the  passengers  got 
off.  Between  thirty  and  forty  remained  on  the  steamer  with  the  intention  of  going  to 
Belvidere,  where  many  were  waiting,  with  joyful  anticipation  of  her  arrival.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  who  remained  on  board  :  Benjamin  M.  Youells, 
George  Abel,  Samuel  Yates,  John  Dehart,  Eugene  Troxell,  Henry  Metier,  Arthur  Kess- 
ler,  David  Troxell,  George  Shaeff,  \'alentine  Schooley,  Edward  Mclntire,  Samuel  Shaeff, 
William  Diehl,  Richard  Williams,  Stewart  Beatty,  Joseph  Weaver,  Robert  Burrell,  Peter 
Bercaw,  George  Smith,  John  Clifton,  of  Easton  ;  Charles  E.  Buck,  Charles  Arnold,  Judge 
William  R.  Sharp,  William  Sharp,  Jr.,  Mr.  Carhart,  Richard  Halcomb,  J.  Depew  Labar, 


ALFRED  THOMAS 


R     I  I  CTION    OI     C  HART 


John  Smith,   Solomon  Mclntire,   Sheriff  Sharp,   Alfred  Thomas,   Frederick  Michler,  of 
Belvidere,  and  Joseph  Losey,  of  Washington,  N.  J. 

The  steamer  was  soon  again  on  her  way,  but  had  to  stop  at  the  island  to  generate 
more  steam  to  ascend  the  rapids.  The  engineer  forced  the  pressure  of  steam  to  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  pounds  to  the  square  inch  ;  the  boiler  had  been  well  made,  but  this  pres- 
sure was  too  great,  and  it  exploded  with  a  detonation  that  shook  the  town  and  hills 
around,  as  if  by  an  earthquake.  The  forepart  of  the  vessel  was  blown  into  fragments, 
human  bodies  were  hurled  forty  feet  high  into  the  air,  others  were  torn  in  pieces,  limbs 
were  broken,  and  many  shockingly  bruised.  The  shrieks  of  the  wounded  and  dying, 
and  the  half-suppressed  wail  of  the  assembled  multitude  was  in  sad  contrast  with  joyous 
mirth  heard  but  a  few  moments  before.  There  were  some  strange  incidents  which  even 
at  present  are  of  painful  interest.  One  young  man  named  Troxell,  was  blown  up  into 
the  air  forty  feet,  and  received  but  au  insignificant  scratch.  Mr.  Carhart,  of  Belvidere, 
supposing  his  son  was  lost,  became  almost  frantic,  and  fainted  when  he  found  him  unhurt. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


463 


Mr.  Holcomb,  of  Belvidere,  had  the  chain  of  his  watch  cut  off  close  to  the  ring,  and 
thrown  upon  the  island,  where  it  was  found.  Two  young  men  assisting  in  a  bateau, 
found  a  dead  companion,  and  wept  like  children.  George  Smith  was  blown  about  sixty 
yards  from  the  boat,  and  cut  in  a  horrible  manner.  Stewart  Beatty  was  thrown  high  into 
the  air,  toward  the  Jersey  shore,  fell  into  the  water,  and  his  body  was  not  found  till  several 
weeks  thereafter.  A  man  on  the  stern  of  the  boat,  looking  down  the  river,  when  he 
heard  the  explosion,  remarked  to  a  bystander,  "  they  must  be  firing  cannon  in  Easton  in 
honor  of  the  boat."  Benjamin  M.  Youells  had  a  leg  broken  in  two  places,  and  was  other- 
wise injured,  and  after  twenty-nine  years,  reminds  the  people  of  Easton  of  the  "Alfred 
Thomas"  by  his  limping  gait.     Judge  William  R.  Sharp  and  Richard  Holcomb,  of  Belvi- 


ON  THE  DELAWARE  AT  BUSHKILL  CREEK, 
(Drawn  by  S.  Kind.) 


dere,  George  Schaeff,  fireman,  and  Samuel  Schaeff,  engineer,  George  Smith  and  Joseph 
Weaver,  of  Easton,  were  killed.  Valentine  Schooley,  Samuel  Yates,  Henry  Metier,  and 
Arthur  Kessler,  of  Easton,  were  mortally  wounded.  William  Sharp,  Jr.,  of  Belvidere, 
and  Stewart  Beatty,  of  Easton,  were  missing.  Those  wounded  were  Benjamin  M.  Youells, 
Peter  Bercaw,  William  Diehl,  Robert  Burrell,  Edward  Mclntire,  Eugene  Troxell,  and 
Richard  Williams.  Peter  Fisher,  desirous  of  reaching  his  home  in  Belvidere,  had  just 
left  the  steamer  before  it  exploded. 

An  indescribable  gloom  fell  upon  the  people  of  Easton.  A  meeting  of  the  citizens 
was  called,  and  all  relief  in  their  power  was  rendered  the  sufferers.  This  was  the  last  of 
the  "Alfred  Thomas." 


THE    BRIDGES 


ASTON' S  first  bridge  was  built  across  the  Bushkill  Creek,  at  Hamilton 
(now  Fourth)  street.  The  work  was  commenced  in  September,  1762,  com- 
missioners Peter  Kichline  and  John  Moore  being  charged  with  its  super- 
intendence. We  may  conclude  that  the  frame-work  was  extremely  heavy 
and  ponderous,  for  fifteen  and  three  quarter  gallons  of  rum  and  one  barrel 
of  cider  were  required  to  assist  in  the  "raising"  of  it.  The  cost  of  rum 
was  four  shillings  and  four-pence — about  fifty-eight  cents — per  gallon,  and 
that  of  the  cider,  fifteen  shillings — about  two  dollars — probably  including 
the  cask.  The  bridge  was  of  wood,  and  its  total  cost  was  ;^262  i6s.  gd. — 
or  about  $604.90. 

In  the  summer  of  1792  this  bridge  was  replaced  by  a  three-arched 
bridge  of  stone,  which  served  for  travel  up  to  the  year  1873,  when  the  present  neat  iron 
bridge  was  erecled  at  a  cost  of  $10,000. 

For  many  years  the  Hamilton  street  bridge  had  been  the  only  means  of  passage 
across  the  Bushkill  Creek,  but  had  long  been  considered  to  be  inadequate  to  the  require- 
ments of  travel ;  and  so  a  log  bridge  was  built  across  the  stream  at  Pomfret  (now  Third) 
street.  This  served  for  travel  a  few  years,  when  in  1833,  it  was  superseded  by  the  present 
stone  bridge,  which  was,  doubtless,  hastened  by  the  establishment  of  Lafayette  College, 
upon  the  opposite  highlands — the  corner-stone  of  the  main  edifice  being  laid  on  the  Fourth 
of  July,  in  that  year.  This  bridge  stands  to-day  apparently  uninjured  by  its  fifty-six 
years  of  service,  and  as  strong  and  safe  as  when  first  completed.  In  1881  broad  walks  and 
iron  railings  were. placed  on  both  sides,  which  not  only  makes  it  safe  for  pedestrians,  but 
much  improves  it.  It  forms  the  principal  thoroughfare  of  travel  between  the  town  and 
the  college  grounds  on  Mount  Lafayette. 

The  third  point  where  the  Bushkill  was  spanned  by  a  bridge  was  at  Front  street, 
which  gave  another  avenue  of  travel  between  the  town  and  its  northern  suburb.  This 
bridge  is  a  solid,  double-arched  strudlure  of  stone,  and  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1850. 
It  remains  uninjured  by  the  hand  of  time,  as  perfedl  as  when  first  completed. 

The  first  bridge  across  the  Lehigh  was  commenced  in  1797,  and  completed  in  1798, 
by  Abraham  Horn,  Esq.,  contractor.  It  stood  at  the  foot  of  Third  street,  and  was  of  wood, 
twenty-two  feet  wide,  spanning  the  river  by  a  single  arch,  two  hundred  and  eighty  feet  in 
length.  Either  defecftive  in  plan,  or  workmanship,  it  fell  in  a  few  days  after  its  con- 
struction. The  loss  fell  on  the  contractor,  but  he  had  courage  and  good  friends,  and  soon 
built  another  of  three  spans  instead  of  one.  This  was  supported  by  two  stone  piers  in 
the  river  between  the  abutments.  This  bridge  lasted  till  1811  ;  when  it  was  destroyed 
by  high  water,  and  replaced  by  a  chain  bridge  in  the  same  year.  This  bridge  was  sus- 
pended on  four  chains,  hanging  in  two  loops  and  two  half  loops,  having  two  passways  for 
teams  and  a  foot-walk  between,  which  was  guarded  by  hand  railings.  This  bridge 
remained  for  about  twenty  years,  but  having  been  pronounced  unsafe,  was  removed  and 
another  put  in  its  place,  which  during  the  flood  of  1841  was  carried  away  and  another  built 


E AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


465 


upon  the  same  piers  and  abutments.  This  was  a  covered  bridge,  like  the  present  Delaware 
bridge,  but  was  destroyed  by  the  flood  of  1862.  The  County  Commissioners  thereupon 
determined  to  build  a  substantial  iron  bridge.  This  had  two  carriage  ways  and  two  foot- 
walks.  The  street  railway  tracks  were  laid  across  it,  connecfling  South  Easton  with 
Easton.  In  1888  it  was  pronounced  unsafe  and  the  Cominissioners  decided  to  build  a  new 
one.  The  new  strudlure  has  just  been  completed.  It  was  built  by  the  "King  Bridge  Com- 
pany "  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  bridges  in  the  State.  It  is  sixty  feet 
wide  and  nearly  three  hundred  feet  long,  and  cost  $35,000. 

The  bridge  across  the  Delaware,  connedling  Easton  with  the  New  Jersey  shore,  was 
completed  sufficiently  for  crossing,  in  1806,  though  not  entirely  finished,  and  formally 
open,  until  the  following  year.  It  had  been  commenced  in  1797,  and  was  consequently 
ten  years  in  process  of  eredlion,  a  time  which  seemed  unnecessarily  long,  even  to  the 
people  of  that  day,  but  which  ap- 
pears much  more  so  to  us.     It  is  ^^   . 

but  just,    however,   to   say,    that  -~^  ^=^^^ 

very  much  of  the  delay  in  build-      _  j^ 

ing  the  bridge,  was  due  to  lack  of  j^^  ~^_ 

funds,  and  not  to  any  short-coming 

of  thearchite(5l,  Mr.  Cyrus  Palmer, 

of  Newburyport,  Mass.  ;  and  that 

when  completed,  the  structure  was 

a  very  strong  and  substantial  one, 

which  in  1841,   safely  withstood 

the  tremendous  test  of  that  great 

flood  by  which  every  bridge  above 

Trenton,   except  this,  was  swept 

from  the  Delaware.       And  now, 

after  an  unmoved  defiance  of  the 

frosts  and  floods  of  nearly  ninety 

years,  it  stands  there  still,  the  same 

safe  and  convenient  thoroughfare 

between  the  States,  and  apparently  as  firm  and  solid  as  ever.     Its  length  between  the 

abutments  is  about  six  hundred  feet,   embraced  in  three  spans,  divided  and  supported 

by  two  massive  stone  piers  in  the  river.     Its  width  is  thirty-four  feet.     There  are  two 

foot-ways  and  a  double  carriage-way  ;  over  which  latter,  the  street  railway  track  is  laid, 

and  the  cars  pass  constantly  over  it,  to  and  fro,  between  Easton  and  Phillipsburg — a  kind 

of  travel  very  remote  from  the  contemplation  of  those  who  projected  the  bridge  nearly  a 

hundred  years  ago.     The  total  cost  of  the  bridge  was  $61,854.57,  and  the  entire  funds 

of  the  company  then  amounted  to  but  $42,200,   which  was  paid  on  its  cost,  but  still  left 

the  company  ;gi9,654.57   in  debt.     The  proceeds  of  the  tolls  paid  this  indebtedness  in 

about  six  years.     The  bridge  is  now  free  to  pedestrians  ;  the  foot-toll  having  been  stricken 

from  the  toll-list  November  ist,  1856. 

The  western  part  of  the  city  and  South  Easton  are  more  than  two  miles  apart  by 
way  of  Third  street  bridge.  People  in  these  localities  were  for  some  time  contempla- 
ting  building  a  foot  bridge   across  the  Lehigh  in    the   neighborhood  of  Tenth  street. 


'THE  POINT' 


466  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  result  of  these  deliberations  was  the  formatiou  of  a  stock  company  with  a  view  to 
the  erection  of  a  suspension  bridge.  The  company  consisted  of  J.  Peter  Correll,  Frank 
Reeder,  J.  Marshall  Young,  Thomas  M.  Lesher,  John  O.  Wagener  and  David  D.  Wagener. 
A  charter  was  obtained,  the  company  was  organized  by  the  eleclion  of  J.  Peter  Correll, 
President,  and  J.  Marshall  Young,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  capital  stock  was  fixed 
at  $30,000,  par  value  of  shares  being  $20.  Plans  and  specifications  were  prepared  by  J. 
Marshall  Young  and  submitted  to  Roebling  Brothers,  the  architects  and  engineers  of  the 
Brooklyn  Bridge.  A  beautiful  suspension  bridge  was  in  consequence  construdled  and 
duly  opened  August  30,  1886.  The  first  who  crossed  the  bridge,  about  the  middle  of 
August,  were  William  Coyle,  of  South  Easton,  Frank  Lesher,  J.  Marshall  Young,  and 
D.  W.  Neviu,  of  Easton.  The  bridge  consists  of  two  spans.  The  Easton  span  is  five 
hundred  and  twenty  feet  in  length,  and  the  South  Easton  span  four  hundred  and  forty- 
eight  feet  six  inches.  It  is  ninety-three  feet  high,  and  was  put  up  in  one  piece  by  Wil- 
liam F.  Pascoe,  and  is  the  largest  piece  of  complete  iron  work  ever  raised  in  the  country. 
They  were  three  days  in  raising  it,  and  five  miles  of  guy  rope  of  one  and  a  quarter  inches 
was  required.  The  view  from  the  bridge  is  one  of  rare  beauty,  changing  in  grandeur  at 
every  step  of  our  progress.  We  find,  when  crossing  this  lofty  pathway  while  the  winds 
are  high,  that  there  is  music  in  the  air. 

The  railroad  bridges  crossing  the  Delaware  and  Lehigh  rivers  are  among  the  finest 
specimens  of  engineering  skill.  The  first  bridge  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  company  was  a 
two-story  wooden  structure,  erected  in  1856,  and  after  a  few  years'  use  it  was  replaced  by 
the  present  large  and  handsome  iron  one. 

The  neat  iron  bridge  of  the  Central  Railroad  Company  was  eredled  in  1868,  and  runs 
parallel  with  that  of  the  Lehigh  Valley.  At  this  time  it  is  a  single  track  bridge  but  is 
shortly  to  be  a  double  track  one. 

Abutments  are  being  sunk  for  another  iron  bridge  across  the  Delaware  just  north  of 
the  Central  Company's,  and  intended  to  connect  the  Lehigh  &  Susquehanna  with  the 
Belvidere  branch  of  the  Pennsylvania  road. 

The  bridge  of  the  Lehigh  &  Susquehanna  railroad  crosses  the  Lehigh  river  from  the 
Cut  to  the  Fourth  street  depot,  and  is  also  a  fine  structure.  The  company  are  now  making 
it  a  double  track  bridge,  and  otherwise  improving  it. 

All  these  structures  appear  interesting  to  strangers  as  they  pass  along  our  railroads, 
and  they  give  Easton  the  title  of  "The  City  of  Bridges." 


WATER  SUPPLY. 

The  Easton  Water  Company  was  incorporated  by  an  Act  of  Assembly,  approved 
March  24,  18 17.  The  first  Board  of  Directors  were  George  Wolf,  President  ;  Nathaniel 
Michler,  John  Herster,  John  Green,  James  Hays,  William  Barnet,  and  Philip  H.  Mattes. 

The  water  was  carried  in  wooden  pipes  from  a  spring  on  Chestnut  Hill  to  a  reservoir 
upon  the  high  ground  on  North  Sixth  street,  and  thence  distributed  to  hydrants  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  town.     This,   however,  was  wholly  inadequate  to  supply  the  demand, 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  467 

and  the  inhabitants  had  still  to  rely  upon  their  wells  and  pumps.  Many  of  these  wells  were 
deep  and  the  water  foul.  In  consequence  the  company  in  1840  eredled  new  works  on  the 
Delaware  river,  above  the  mouth  of  the  Bushkill,  and  with  steam  power  forced  the  water 
into  a  reservoir  on  College  Hill,  and  from  thence  distributed  it  through  the  town.  This 
answered  the  purpose  for  a  while,  but  as  the  borough  grew  it  was  found  that  while  the 
water  was  sufficient  the  power  was  insufficient  to  supply  the  increased  demand  by  growth 
of  the  borough  beyond  Sixth  street,  a  new  water  company  was  incorporated  by  A61  of 
Assembly  approved  the  4th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1854,  under  the  style  and  title  of  the 
West  Ward  Water  Company,  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  water  to  that  portion  of  the 
borough  lying  west  of  Sixth  street,  and  works  were  eredled  on  the  Lehigh,  about  a  mile 
above  the  Third  street  bridge  at  Spring  street.  Their  first  President  was  Henry  Keller. 
By  a  supplement  to  their  charter,  approved  May  5,  1855,  they  were  empowered  to  supply 
water  in  any  part  of  the  borough. 

Owing  to  financial  difficulties  another  A<51  of  Assembly  was  passed  the  20th  day  of 
March,  i860,  empowering  the  said  company  to  mortgage  their  works,  corporate  fran- 
chises, rights  and  privileges,  and  providing  that  in  case  of  a  judicial  sale  under  said  mort- 
gage, all  the  estate,  franchises,  rights  and  privileges,  shall  pass  to  and  vest  in  the  pur- 
chasers at  such  sale,  who  were  then  to  proceed  and  organize  a  company,  and  conduct  the 
works  under  the  name  of  "The  Lehigh  Water  Company."  A  sale  was  subsequently 
effe6led,  and  a  company  organized  as  contemplated  by  the  a6l.  The  first  President  was 
Charles  Rodenbough  ;  Secretary,  Henry  Green.  The  works  as  already  stated  were  located 
on  the  Lehigh,  and  the  water  was  forced  by  a  large  engine  and  raised  two  hundred  feet  to 
a  reservoir  at  Fifteenth  and  Northampton  streets. 

The  people  for  a  long  time  felt  that  the  Lehigh  water  was  too  impure  for  family  use, 
and  so  loud  were  their  complaints  that  the  company  in  1881  made  a  change  and  eredled 
new  works  on  the  Delaware.  They  have  now  two  pumping  stations  and  three  pumps, 
one  on  the  Lehigh  and  two  on  the  Delaware.  The  one  on  the  Lehigh  is  not  in  constant 
use,  but  held  in  reserve.  The  pump  on  the  Lehigh  has  a  capacity  of  700,000  gallons  in 
twenty-four  hours,  and  those  on  the  Delaware  2,000,000  gallons  in  the  .same  length  of 
time.  The  reservoir  at  Fifteenth  and  Northampton  streets  will  be  retained,  at  the  same 
time  a  new  one  will  shortly  be  built  on  Chestnut  Hill  at  an  elevation  of  290  feet  above 
the  Delaware,  which  will  supply  the  highest  points  in  the  city,  and  give  it  adequate  force 
in  case  of  fire.  The  company  will  also  build  a  large  settling  basin  at  their  pumping  sta- 
tion on  the  Delaware,  from  which  the  water  will  be  pumped  clear  of  all  impurities.  In 
cases  of  freshets  the  pumping  can  cease,  as  the  reservoir  will  hold  a  week's  supply.  The 
water  for  the  fountain  in  Centre  Square  and  for  fire  purposes  is  furnished  free. 

The  present  officers  of  the  company  are — Joseph  Rodenbough,  President ;  Jacob 
Rader,  Secretary  and  Treasurer ;  Robert  Rader,  Superintendent.  The  office  is  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  Centre  Square. 


EASTON  OF  TO-DAY. 


JHE  CONCLUDING  chapter  of  our  history  is  at  hand,  but  we  find  there 
are  still  several  subjecls  which  we  wish  to  dwell  on  briefly,  and  perhaps 
the  most  important  of  these  is  the  formation  of  industrial  associations, 
created  for  the  purpose  of  advancing  the  business  interests  of  our  city.  Re- 
cently there  had  been  a  lack  of  enterprise  in  Easton,  its  capital  seeking 
investment  elsewhere,  which  not  only  greatly  retarded  its  growth  in  the 
building  of  dwellings,  but  industries  of  various  kinds  suffered  that  were 
needed  to  give  employment  to  the  young  people  inhabiting  the  western 
part  of  our  city — the  children  of  the  mechanic  and  laboring  man.  Accord- 
ingly the  first  of  these  associations  was  formed  in  1883,  and  succeeded  in 
inducing  Messrs.  R.  and  H.  Simon  to  establish  a  silk  mill  at  Lehidlon  Bridge, 
on  the  Bushkill  creek,  which  gives  employment  to  several  hundred  hands.  This  mill  is 
engaged  in  throwing  or  twisting  silk,  a  preparatory  work  necessary  before  it  can  be  woven. 
This  industry  has  been  remarkably  successful  under  the  able  management  of  the  Simon 
Bros.,  and  they  have  in  contemplation  the  erecflion  of  a  large  addition  to  their  already 
massive  stru(?ture  in  the  near  future.  After  the  association  had  accomplished  this  great 
objedl  it  seemed  to  have  spent  its  force  and  finally  disbanded. 

In  1888  a  more  determined  effort  was  made  to  introduce  manufa<5lures  of  various 
kinds  into  the  community.  This  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the  Easton  Industrial  Asso- 
ciation. The  officers  of  the  Association  are — President,  William  Hackett ;  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  S.  H.  Hackett  ;  Directors,  Harry  G.  Tombler,  David  W.  Nevin,  Henry  A. 
Sage,  Asher  J.  Odenwelder,  J.  Whit  Wood,  James  W.  Correll,  William  J.  Daub,  C.  D.  P. 
Hamilton,  Jacob  Raub,  and  Charles  M.  Hapgood.  The  Association  began  work  at  once. 
The  Lawrence  Organ  Works  needed  an  increase  of  capital  in  order  to  proceed  in  its  business. 
The  financial  condition  of  its  affairs  was  closely  examined,  a  loan  of  $12,000  was  nego- 
tiated, the  plant  placed  upon  a  permanent  basis,  the  buildings  were  enlarged  and  the  business 
increased.  First-class  instruments  are  manufactured  here,  for  which  there  is  a  ready  sale. 
This  gives  employment  to  twenty-five  hands.  The  managing  trustees,  representing  the 
subscribers,  are  William  H.  Hackett,  William  J.  Daub,  and  William  R.  Francisco. 

The  Easton  Boot  and  Shoe  Fadlory  is  a  very  important  establishment,  founded  by 
this  Industrial  Association.  It  is  situated  on  Butler  and  Sixteenth  streets.  The  building 
is  of  brick,  127  by  38  feet,  four  stories  high.  There  are  fifty-five  hands  employed,  turning 
out  three  hundred  pairs  per  day.  The  most  sanguine  anticipations  have  been  fully 
realized.  The  machines  are  driven  by  a  fifty  horse-power  engine,  thus  giving  power  suffi- 
cient for  twice  the  number  of  hands,  and  the  prospedls  seem  to  demand  a  large  increase 
of  workmen.  The  first  floor  is  used  for  storing  leather,  and  also  for  sole-leather  cutting 
and  the  heel-making  room.  The  second  floor  contains  the  offices,  packing  and  shipping 
room,  and  treeing  or  dressing  room.  The  third  floor  is  used  for  bottoming  and  finishing 
purposes.  On  the  fourth  floor  the  upper  leather  is  cut,  and  the  stitching  and  crimping 
done.     The  views  from  the  south  windows  of  the  facftorv  are  the  most  beautiful  that  the 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


469 


eyes  of  the  lovers  of  nature  ever  gazed  upon,  and  no  pi<5lnres,  executed  by  the  old  masters, 
can  equal  the  grandeur  of  the  scene.  The  interblending  of  mountains  and  rivers,  hills 
and  dales,  the  gentle  curving  of  the  Lehigh  hills,  pi(5tured  upon  the  distant  horizon,  the 
whizzing  of  the  railroad  train,  the  slow  moving  canal  boat,  representing  a  period  now 
passing  away,  in  contrast  with  the  steam  power  and  elecftric  forces  of  the  age  following, 
present  a  pidlure  well  worth  a  long  walk  to  witness. 

Another  industry  is  the  Matteawan  Felting  Manufacflory.  The  land  has  been  pur- 
chased, the  stock,  $50,000,  subscribed,  and  the  work  is  in  progress.  It  is  situated  in 
Odenweldertown,  a  suburb  of  the  city,  near  the  Lehigh. 

The  foregoing  enterprises  is  the  work  of  these  associations  in  this  short  period. 
Besides  placing  these  establishments  upon  a  sound  financial  basis  a  great  deal  of  time  was 
consumed  in  examining  other  industries  that  desired  to  locate  here,  but  not  accepted  for 
causes  best  known  to  those  who  had  the  matter  in  hand.  Caution  is  no  doubt  the  proper 
course  to  pursue  in  matters  of  this  kind,  as  the  savings  of  the  mechanic  as  well  as  the 
wealth  of  the  capitalist  is  involved.  These  associations  have  been  ably  managed,  and  at 
this  writing  are  making  strenuous  efforts  to  establish  another  industry  which  will  place 
one  more  well-earned  task  to  their  credit. 


The  Easton  and  Northern  Railroad,  which  is  now  being  construdled,  will  no  doubt 
be  of  great  importance  to  the  material  growth 
of  Easton.  This  company  consists  of  Easton 
men  who  have  undertaken  the  responsibility  of 
this  important  enterprise.  The  officers  are — 
President,  John  T.  Knight,  of  Easton  ;  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  Fred.  Green  ;  Diredlors,  Henry  A. 
Sage,  Harry  G.  Tombler,  General  Frank  Reeder, 
David  D.  Wagener,  Jacob  Walter,  Samuel  S.  Mes- 
singer,  Peter  Brady,  and  James  Smith.  Messrs. 
Henry  A.  Sage,  Harry  G.  Tombler,  and  Gen. 
Frank  Reeder,  are  the  Executive  Committee  to 
superintend  the  construdlion  of  the  road.  Chief 
Engineer,  Peter  Brady  ;  General  Superintendent, 
James  Smith.  This  road  commences  at  or  near 
Sixth  street,  and  ascends  the  Bushkill  Valley, 
its  terminal  point  to  be  at  Ashland,  Northamp- 
ton county,  connecfling  with  the  Bangor  and 
Nazareth  Railroad.  The  intention  of  the  com- 
,,r-.Tr,,,  .    c-.^^  pany  is  to  extend  the  road  to  Scranton  in  the  no 

HENRY  A.  SAGE,  r       J 

President  of  the  Easton  and  South  Easton   Pas-      distant   futUre.       HoW   it  wiU    C0nne(ft   at    EaSton 

^Th^e^ELtra^.dZX^n^Rti^iad  cr'         ^^  "^t  kuown  and  causes  considerable  comment. 


The  Home  for  Friendless  Children  was  established  in  1885,  and  opened  April  6th. 
One  of  the  most  pleasing  incidents  in  the  history  of  Easton  is  the  establishment  of  this 
charming  retreat  for  the  shelter  of  friendless  and  homeless  children.  The  society  first 
rented  a  house  on  Sullivan  street ;  this  being  insufficient,  one  was  built  on  Washington 


470 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


street,  near  Fourteenth,  on  land  donated  by  Mr.  Theodore  R.  Sitgreaves.  The  building 
cost  nearly  nine  thousand  dollars,  and  was  opened  with  sixteen  children,  March  i,  1887. 
The  ladies  of  Easton  have  entire  control  of  the  Home.  This  institution  is  supported  by 
the  gifts  of  willing  and  generous  hearts.  Children  ushered  into  life  without  friends  or 
the  shelter  of  a  home  are  taken  by  these  noble  ladies  aud  tenderly  cared  for,  guided  and 
guarded  through  the  helpless  years  of  infancy  and  childhood,  and  prepared  for  the  cares 
and  toils  of  man  and  womanhood.  It  a  pleasant  experience  to  pass  through  the  sleeping 
apartments  kept  so  neatly,  and  notice  the  beautiful  little  beds  made  specially  for  children. 
"  In  as  much  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  the  least  of  one  of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me," 
steals  sweetly  into  the  soul  as  we  pass  through  the  apartments  of  this  comfortable  home 
of  the  little  ones.  There  are  no  gifts  more  acceptable  than  those  by  which  the  home  of 
tender  childhood  is  maintained.  Since  the  Home  was  established  eighty-two  children 
have  passed  through  the  hands  of  the  Matron  and  Dire6lors.     These  are  the  ofBcers  : 

Miss  Kate  Green,  President.  Mrs.  William  Firmstone. 

Mrs.  Philip  PFATTEiCHER,VicePres't.  Mrs.  E.  F.  Stewart. 

Mrs.  H.  D.  Lachenour,  Secretary.  Mrs.  Charles  Stewart. 

Miss  Ida  Hay,  Assistant  Secretary.  Mrs.  Clement  Stewart. 

Mrs.  M.  F.  Titus,  Treasurer.  Mrs.  Frank  Michler. 

Mrs.  J.  S.  Rodenbough.  Mrs.  William  H.  Armstrong. 

Mrs.  B.  H.  Niece,  Matron. 


The  old  buildings  of  Easton  are  slowly  but  surely  giving  way  to  the  march  of  im- 
provement, and  of  the  many  interesting  landmarks  that  Easton  possessed  a  decade  or  two 
ago,  only  a  few  remain.  It  is  only  a  matter  of  a  very  few  years  before  the  last  one  of 
these  interesting  relics,  which  connedl  the  history  of  the  past  with  that  of  the  present, 
will  have  passed  away.  The  following  are  the  most  notable  ones  still  standing  :  On  the 
northeast  corner  of  Ferry  and  Fourth  streets  stands  an  old  stone  house  built  by  William 
Parsons  in  1757,  and  is  consequently  132  years  old,  being  the  oldest  house  in  the  city. 
It  was  at  one  time  occupied  by  George  Taylor,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  It  is  a  historic  residence  indeed,  and  long  may  it  stand  to  remind  us  of 
the  stormy  past.  It  is  now  owned  by  Col.  Jacob  Dachrodt.  The  next  in  age  is  the 
building  now  occupied  by  Schoch  &  Stecker,  dry  goods  merchants,  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Centre  Square,  and  was  built  by  Henry  Alshouse,  who  was  Easton's  first  car- 
penter. On  the  west  side  of  Second  street,  near  Spring  Garden,  is  a  small  stone  house 
built  by  Hon.  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  for  a  relative  of  his  family.  In  Sitgreaves  street,  near 
Dr.  Green's  stable,  is  the  first  brick  house  built  in  Easton,  and  was  erecfled  by  the  same 
gentleman  for  his  colored  man  Cudjoe.  On  the  south  side  of  Spring  Garden  street,  near 
Second,  is  a  stone  house  in  which  John  Penn,  a  son  of  William  Penn,  resided  while  hold- 
ing the  office  of  sheriff  in  1773-74.  No.  142  South  Third  street  is  a  very  old  stone  build- 
ing, also  the  one  located  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Second  and  Ferry,  and  the  one  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  Fifth  and  Northampton  streets.  The  second  jail  is  still  standing, 
(and  is  now  being  used  as  a  brush  fa(ftory)  and  the  old  cell  from  which  Getter  was  led  to 
execution  mav  still  be  seen. 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


471 


Among  the  many  fine  bnsiness  and  private  edifices  that  adorn  and  beautify  our  city, 
some  of  which  have  been  ilhistrated  in  this  work,  the  Able  Opera  House  is  one  of  the 
most  conspicuous.     It  stands  on  the  south  side  of  Northampton  street,  between  Third 

and  Fourth  streets.  The  front  is  50 
feet,  and  extends  back  to  Pine  street, 
a  depth  of  220  feet.  The  exhibition 
room  is  in  the  rear  of  the  building, 
and  is  approached  by  a  wide  passage 
from  the  front  entrance,  with  large 
and  commodious  store  rooms  on  each 
side.  This  room  is  50  by  120  feet, 
including  the  stage  ;  the  ceiling  is 
forty-seven  feet  high.  The  front 
hall  in  the  second  story,  intended 
for  balls  and  festivals,  and  known 
as  Able  Hall,  is  50  by  80  feet ;  the 
height  of  the  ceiling  is  twenty-three 
feet.  The  hall  in  the  third  story  is 
50  by  80  feet,  with  ceiling  of  seven- 
teen feet  high.  The  Parquet,  Par- 
quet Circle,  Dress  Circle  and  Third 
Tier,  will  seat  fifteen  hundred  peo- 
ple. The  dressing  rooms  are  in 
the  basement.  In  1872  Mr.  Edward 
Able  matured  the  prqjedl  of  build- 
ing this  Opera  House,  which  might 
be  of  great  use  to  the  public  as  a 
place  of  amusement  and  for  public 
gatherings  on  special  occasions.  It 
was  ere(?ted  at  a  cost  of  $120,000. 
It  is  now  owned  by  a  company,  and 
is  under  the  care  and  management  of  Mr.  John  Brunner.  By  common  consent,  it  is 
still  known  as  the  Able  Opera  House,  and  we  sincerely  hope  that  as  long  as  this  mag- 
nificent temple  of  amusement  shall  stand,  it  shall  retain  the  name  of  its  liberal  projector. 


EDWARD  ABLE. 


We  cannot  close  the  History  of  Easton  without  a  short  resume.  Its  picturesque 
location,  with  its  grand  and  bold  surrounding  scenery,  and  its  flowing  waters,  renders  it 
at  once  attradlive  to  the  eye,  and  impresses  the  soul  with  a  spirit  of  romance,  not  usually 
felt  when  viewing  an  aggregation  of  house-tops  alone.  Its  many  spires  suggest  to  the 
mind  the  principle  that  religious  freedom  reigns,  and  well  it  may,  for  here  nearly  all 
known  denominations  of  religious  worshippers  are  represented.  The  puff  and  the  roar 
of  the  locomotive  diredls  your  attention  to  the  railroad  facilities — no  less  than  sixty-four 
passenger  trains  arriving  and  leaving  the  city  daily.  The  passenger  for  New  York  has  his 
choice  of  three  different  routes  over  about  seventy-five  miles  of  rail,  and  will  arrive  there 


472 


THE   HISTORY  OF 


inside  of  three  hours.  He  who  wishes  to  go  to  Philadelphia  has  two  routes,  travels  a  distance 
of  about  sixty-six  miles  and  arrives  there  in  less  than  three  hours.  A  closer  look,  and  we 
notice  the  webs  of  wires  which,  while  they  aid  the  business  man  and  mechanic  in  rapid  transit 
through  the  city  by  its  elecftric  motors,  also  illuminate  the  city  at  night,  both  in  the  houses 
and  on  the  thoroughfares,  making  it  almost  as  light  as  day,  at  the  same  time  it  recalls  to  mind 
the  telegraph  and  telephone,  only  a  small  part  of  the  network  that  circles  the  globe  and 
renders  converse  possible  with  the  most  distant  nations.  The  numerous  smoke  stacks 
point  out  the  various  manufactories  of  iron  and  brass  for  its  varied  uses,  cordage  for  the 
rigging  of  ships  that  sail  to  distant  lands,  sawing  and  planing  mills,  marble  and  granite 
works,  silk  mills,  organ  fadlory,  shoe  fa(5lory,  felt  works,  breweries,  carriage,  furniture, 
and  many  other  industries.  The  eye  also  takes  in  the  many  rich  mineral  deposits,  by 
glancing  at  the  extensive  lime  and  soap-stone  quarries  and  iron  ore  mines.  It  also 
takes  in  the  many  educational  buildings,  foremost  of  which  is  Lafayette  College,  with 
its  splendid  Pardee  Hall,  most  liberally  endowed,  and  having  a  faculty  equal  to  any 
other  in  the  land  and  superior  to  most  ;  numerous  large  and  commodious  school  houses 
with  all  the  modern  improvements  for  the  education  of  the  young,  models  of  architecflure, 
and  having  a  fine  library,  the  accumulation  of  many  years,  being  founded  by  an  associa- 
tion in  1817  and  deeded  to  the  school  department  in  1864,  showing  the  interest  and  pride 
taken  in  and  the  progress  of  education.  Prominent  also  among  all  is  the  Court  House 
and  the  gloomy  walls  of  the  county  Penitentiary.  The  belfry  on  the  building  of  the  fire 
department  suggest  the  improvements  made  in  that  branch  of  municipal  progress  ;  the  old 
hand  fire  engine  with  its  volunteer  firemen  of  but  a  few  decades  passed,  is  superseded  by  a 
paid  department  with  steamers  and  electric  alarms,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  water, 
making  it  almost  impossible  for  the  fiery  element  to  make  any  headway. 

A  view  of  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Lehigh,  with  its  numerous  serpentine  tracks  of 
railroads,  and  the  canal  running  past  the  iron  furnaces  and  cotton  mills  as  far  as  Mauch 
Chunk,  the  centre  of  the  coal  mining  industry,  reminds  you  of  the  vast  commercial  enter- 
prises in  coal,  iron  and  cotton,  famous  throughout  the  whole  land. 

A  view  of  the  modest  Bushkill  would  hardly  suggest  the  fa(5l  that  for  its  size  few 
streams  in  this  Commonwealth  yield  power  for  manufa6luring  purposes  equal  to  it.  Take 
another  position  and  the  eye  rests  upon  the  city  of  the  dead — the  Easton  Cemetery— first 
opened  in  1849,  and  now  the  resting  place  of  over  16,000  who  have  gone  never  to  return, 
reminding  us  that  here  end  all  worldly  glory  and  ambition,  here  all  are  equal,  the  rich 
and  the  poor,  the  great  and  the  small,  the  old  and  the  young,  all,  all  alike,  turn  to  mother 
earth,  and  nothing  to  tell  their  different  spheres  in  life  but  the  stones  ereded  to  their  mem- 
ory.     Few  cemeteries  in  the  country  can  equal  this  in  grand  and  expensive  monuments. 

We  have  now  reviewed  some  of  the  most  prominent  features  of  our  city,  including 
scenery  and  commercial  and  manufadluring  facilities,  the  latter  being  the  work  of  a  pop- 
ulation of  11,924  in  1880,  now  15,500  in  1889,  composed  of  industrious,  enterprising  and 
sagacious  business  men,  aided  by  those  natural  advantages  which  the  founders  of  the  city 
with  their  keen  foresight  at  once  comprehended.  These  advantages  are  not  yet  exhausted, 
in  facft  they  are  daily  multiplying  and  are  inexhaustible,  the  surrounding  country  is  rich 
in  soil  and  in  mineral  produdls,  access  to  raw  material  for  manufa<?turers  is  easy,  and 
the  capitalist  who  desires  to  invest  his  means  in  some  enterprise  need  not  "go  West"; 
here  is  a  large  field,  and  an  enterprising  population  to  take  him  by  the  hand  and  give  him 


EASTON,    PENN'A. 


473 


welcome.  We  say,  come  and  see  for  yourself,  for  seeing  is  believing,  and  we  are  sure  you 
will  not  regret  your  choice  if  you  should  selecfl  our  city  for  your  permanent  home  and 
seat  for  commercial  or  manufadluring  operations. 


As  a  fitting  finale  to  this  part  of  our  work  we  think  it  of  interest  and  importance  to  put 
upon  record  as  corretlly  as  possible  the  names  of  the  principal  business  men  and  profes- 
sional people  of  Easton,  who  are  thus  acftively  engaged  at  the  close  of  the  year  1889.  In 
order  to  show  future  generations  how  our  two  principal  business  thoroughfares  (North- 
ampton street  from  the  Delaware  bridge  to  Sixth,  and  Third  street  from  the  Lehigh  to 
the  Bushkill)  were  inhabited,  we  give  them  side  by  side — from  door  to  door. 


Northampton  Street, North  Side,  from 

Delaware  Bridge  to  Second. 
Yeager,  J,  millinery 
Tannewald,  R,  boots  and  shoes 
Parks,  Mrs  G,  milliner 
Stinson,  Mrs  E  S,  millinery 
Hunt,  E  I,  hardware 
Hoff,  Mrs  John,  druggist 
Arndt,  Mrs  C  A,  shoes 
Buckman,  W  E,  dentist,  (up  stairs) 
Major,  L,  novelty  store 
Mansfield  &  Helms,  wall  papers 
Eckert,  John,  druggist 
Smith,  J  S,  jeweler 
Goldsmith,  Michael,  notions 
Bellman  Bros,  notions 
Gulick,  Peter,  grocer 
Gould,  Mrs  S,  furs repair'd  (upstairs) 

Northampton  Street, North  Side,  from 

Second  to  Centre  Square. 
Hammann,  Wm  E,  druggist 
Andrews  &  Nolf,  dry  goods 
Herst  David,  tailor,  (up  stairs) 
Young  James  McK,  crockery 
Randolph,  H,  hatter 
Bunstein  &  Co,  millinery 
Keller,  Wm  H,  pianos  and  organs 
Grawitz,  Chris,  art  gallery 
Thatcher,  I  B,  fancy  goods 
Carpenter  Allen,  dry  goods 
Goldsmith  Bros,  clothing 
Able,  John,  confectionery 
Geehr,  F  P,  boots  and  shoes 
Clark,  David,  jeweler 
Kahn,  E,  art  gallery 
Dunkel  E,  cigars  and  tobacco 
Maxwell,  Wm,  books  and  bindery 
Centre  Square— North  Side. 
Lee,  Chas,  laundry 
Mack,  John,  plumber,  (basement) 
Easton  Post  Office 
Lehr  K  H,  lawyer,  ''up  stairs) 
Phi  Kappa  Psi  Club 
Hay,  J  &  Sons,  wholesale  dry  goods 
Seip,  Amos,  physician 
Easton  Optical  Co,  (same  building) 
Hackett  &  Chidsey,  brokers     " 
Long,  James,  residence 
Northampton  Insurance  Co 
Parks,  Wm,  barber,  (basement) 
Stout,  G  W,  lawyer,  (same  building) 
Chase  &  Mackey,  lawyers,     " 
Home  Fiendly  Society,  " 

Chi  Phi  Club, 
Jones  residence 
Detwiller,  J  J,  physician 
Walters,  W  F,  restaurant 


Steckel,  Henry  F,  residence 
Hetrich,  Mrsjosiah  P,  residence 
Easton  Water  Co  Office 
Hetrich  Willis,  lawyer 


Adams,  Samuel,  fruit  dealer 

Schoch  &  Stacker,  dry  goods 

Bush  &  Bull, 

Stout, JnoV, photographer,  (upstairs) 

Meeker,  C  W,  stoves,  &c 

Bixler,  Elwood,  jeweler 

Moon  &  Co,  boots  and  shoes 

Semple,  Wm  &  Son,  druggist 

Longaker,  A  B,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 

Uhler,  I  S. 

James,  R  E, 

Lynn,  James,  "  " 

Emmons,  Thos,       "  " 

Americus  Club,  " 

ComusClub, 

Rader  &  Bro,  dry  goods 

Kolb,  Reuben,  alderman,  (upstairs) 

Martin,  James,  saddler 

Edelman,  James  A,  fancy  goods 

Hay  Boot  &  Shoe  Co 

Fox  &  Fulmer,  jewelers 

Losey  &  Co,  hardware 

Fraley,  Jacob,  leather 

Garis  W  E.  furniture 

Central  Hotel,  A  J  Frankenfield,  prop 

Bryson,  Pennel,  barber,  (basement) 


Richards,  Mrs  E  J,  druggist 
Rosenblatt,  M,  peanut  stand 
Daub  Wm  J,  furniture 
Rosenbaum,  Levi,  millinery 
Hamilton  &  Co,  boots  and  shoes 
Arner,  Calvin,  dry  goods 
Fox,  E  J  &  Son,  lawyers,  (up  stair: 
Shipman,  Wm  C 
Field  Bros,  physicians, 
Penna.  Telephone  Office,  " 

Ludwig,  Henry,  grocer 
Kinney  John,  eating  house 
Riegel,  M.  J.,  bookseller 
Ackerman,  T  F,  jeweler 
Bixler,  Lewis  E,  toys 
Leidy  G  W,  barber 
McCabe,  Ias,photographer,(up  stair 
Residence  of  Mrs,  Clemens 
Lawall,  C  Son  &  Co,  druggists 
HolTman,  W  W,  dentist,  (up  stairs 
Francisco,  W  R,  sewing  machines 
Fritts,  Misses,  boarding 
Northampton  County  National  Ban 


Fleischner  &  Poike,  three  cent  store 

Lung,  Sam,  laundry 

Detweiler,    O   L,   stenographer    and 

type  writer,  (up  stairs) 
Serfass,  Orrin,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Rosenfelt,  Lewis,  tailor 
Gebhardt,  C,  plumber,  (basement) 
Moser,  Josiah,  pianos  and  organs 
Sandt,  C  A,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Walter  &  Bishop,  art  goods 
Allis  Elisha,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Merrill  J  C,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Singer  Sewing  Machine  Co 
Miller  S  K  &  Son,  hardware 
Northampton  Street,  North  Side, from 

Fifth  to  Sixth. 
Felker,  Chas,  meat  market 
Sweeny,  Jacob,  fish  and  oysters 
Hildebrandt,  Paul,  saloon 
Barnet,  George,  grocer 
Newman,  Andrew,  saloon 
Collmar,  Chas  U,  physician 
Young, G  H, alderman,  (same  build'g) 
Shrope,  L  S,  insurance,         " 
Fulmer,  John,  guns,  &c 
Leidy,  Thomas,  cigars 
Mayer,  B  D  &  Co,  dry  goods 
Knecht&Weisenbach,real  estate  agts 
Breininger,  A,  barber 
Koehler  &  Moyer,  veterinary  surg'ns 
Eichman,  Chas,  restaurant 
Rice,  Geo  W, 
Northampton  Street, South  Sidejrom 

Delaware  Bridge  to  Second. 
Gaetano,  Vilacchi,  peanut  stand 
Carey,  John  J,  segars 
Laugel,  Adam,  boots  and  shoes 
Spitznagel,  F,  meat  market 
Balliet,  Ray,  barber 
Keeley,  Mrs  J  C  U,  coffee  house 
Sherrer  Bros,  gent's  furnishers 
Jacoby  A,  clothing 
Gamier,  A  B,  general  store 
Magee  Bros,  wholesale  store 
Correll,  Jac9b,  tailor 
Berry,  Misses,  boarding  house 
Gerver  House,  Robt.  Gerver,  prop 
Curren,  Thos,  saloon 
Rice  &  Arnold,  oysters 
Gilroy,  H,  shoe  store 
Michler,  E  E,  grocer 
Cummings,  Chris,  saloon 
Levy,  J  &  Co,  clothing 
Knapp,  William,  barber 
Otto,  Mrs  E,  confectionery 
Goldburg,  L,  clothing 
Runyon,  Thomas,  liquors 


474 


Norlliamplon  Street, South  Side,  from 

Second  to  Centre  Square. 
Norton,  H  M,  stoves  and  tinware 
Barberey,  Chas,  peanut  stand 
Riegel  &  Tinsman,  dry  goods 
Heil,  John,  boots  and  shoes 
Seip,  H  F,  dentist,  (up  stairs) 
Osterstock,  Jos,  stoves  and  tinware 
VVeller&Honeywell.den'st  (up  stairs) 
Vogel,  E  D,  stationer 
Correll,  Peter  M,  boarding 
Pollock,  John,  brush  manufacturer 
Knecht,  A  S,  lawyer,  residence 
VVilking,  Jacob  H,  boots  and  shoes 
Garis,  C  VV,  furniture 
Becker's  PeoplesTea  Co,  (  W  Carling) 
Black,  Daniel,  tinware 
D.  Black  and  H  Kinsey  residence 
Hazzard,  VVm  H,  paper  hangings 
Fraunfelter,  Frank,  fruit  dealer 
Seitz,  C  E,  gent's  furnishings 
Brown,  VVm,  book  binder,  tup  stairs) 
Reese,  Jacob,  merchant  tailor,     " 

Centre  Square— South  side. 
Heller,  Maria,  millinery 
Residence  of  Miss  Heller 
Warne,  M  T,  residence 
Deichman,  AS," 
Seitz,  Fred, 
Dinkey,  Mrs  R,     " 
Kalish,  William,  clothing 
Hertz,  John  C,  dentist,  (up  stairs) 
Jacobus,  Peter  N,  physician 
U.  S.  Express  Office 
Adams  Express  Office 
Green,  G  B,  bowling  alley,  (base'nt) 
First  National  Bank 
Osterstock,  John,  hardware 
Garren,  Jacob,  oysters,  (basement) 
Kirkpatrick,W&M,law'ers!  up  stairs) 
EastonBesinessCollege(CLFree)  " 
Hoffmeirer,  S  B,  photographer,       " 
Stewart, VV  G  &  Son, wholesale  notions 
Bissell,  G  M,  barber 
Lee,  Chas,  laundry 
KIchline,  Geo  E,  insurance 
Boyd,  T  S,  billiard  hall 
Police  head'ters  and  council  chamber 
Northampton   Street,    South  side, 
from  TItird  to  Fourth. 
Conklin,  D  VV  &  Co,  grocers 
Meyer,  Joseph,  segars  and  tobacco 
West,  Geo  \V,  job  printer,  (up  stairs) 
Orr,  Matthew,  dry  goods 
Freeman,  Nat,  merchant  tailor 
Flemming,  Miss  E.,  residence 
Apple,  Dr  S  S, 
Easton  National  Bank 
Hasbrouck&Kloffenstein.mer.  tailors 
Goldsmith,  Isaac,  cigars  and  tobacco 
Goldsmith,  Isaac,  residence 
Laubach,  Wm  &  Son,  dry  goods 
Walter,  Chas,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Weaver,  John  A,  druggist 
Armstrong  Wm  H,  lawyer,  (upstairs) 
R  C  Pvle,  insurance. 
Downs,  James  S, 
Clio  Social  Club, 
SdliJinon,  Jacob,  clothing 
Mllk-r,  Horace, sign  painter,(upstalrs) 
I.eidich  Herbert,  barber,  (basement) 
Able  Opera  House 
Shimcr,  Peter  >t  Son,  merchaHt  tailors 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Walter,  Wm,  restaurant,  (basement)    I 
Sage  H  A.  liquor  merchant  I 

Able,  Edward,  carpet  dealer 
King,  Theo  F,  dentist,  (up  stairs)        I 
Knecht,  Frank,  photographer,  "  | 

Stern,  Max  &  Bro,  millinery 
Goldsmith,  Simon,  clothing 
Davenport, G, hair  dressing(up  stairs) 
Heller,  J  B,  physician, 
Wolfe.  D  S,  cigar  manuf, 
Northampton  Street,    South   Side,     I 
Fourth  to  Fifth.  \ 

Odenwelder,  Asher,  druggist 
Gardella,  Victor,  peanut  stand 
Mack,  F  W,  painter,  (up  stairs) 
Friedlich,  Moses,  gent's  furnisher         j 
Wolslayer,  J  O,  boots  and  shoes 
Bixler,  C  VV,  jeweler 
Mack,  E  B,  stoves  and  tinware 
Eschenbach,G  W, umbrellas  ( up  sfrs) 
Anglemeyer,  Jeremiah,  hardware 
Lindemann,  J  H,  bookseller  ! 

Edelman,  W  E,  lawyer,  (up  stairs)      | 
Franklin  House,  G  B  Ccse,  prop  \ 

Gardner  Bros,  clothing 
Pyatt,  David,  crockery 
Woodring,  Richard  A,  hatter 
Kunsman,  Wm  H,  dry  goods  [ 

Laugel,  .\dam,  boots  and  shoes 
Detweiler,  VV  C,  dentist,  (up  stairs) 
Lawall,  Lyman  H,  dry  goods  I 

Washington  Clothing  Co  | 

Serfass,  J  J,  physician,  (up  stairs)        i 
Weaver,  VV  Stewart,  hardware 
FreytagBros,mer'nt  tailors, (up  sta'rs) 
Young,  G  F  P,  lawyer,  " 

Roll,  M,  cigar  manufacturer,     " 
Swan  Hotel,  S  J  Treat,  prop 
Kemmerer,  Benjamin  F,  grocer 
Knecht,  A  S,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Howell,  A  B,       " 

Miller  Jonas,  segars  1 

Woolworth  &  Getman,  5c  &  loc  store  | 
Everhart,  S,  boots  and  shoes 
Garbarino,  John,  peanut  stand 
Fackenthall,  Howard,  physician 
Northampton  Street,  South  Side,  from 

Fifth  to  Sixth. 
Shiffer,  Boyer  &  Co,  hatters 
Mayor's  and  City  Treasurer's  Office 
Steckel,  Leopold,  saddlery 
Fenlcle  Thomas,  alderman 
Levy,  Lyman,  clothing 
PIckel,  Andrew,  merchant  tailor 
Cottage  Garden  Hotel,  S  A  Reichard 
Caramella,  Luie,  peanut  stand 
Taylor,  Zach,  furniture 
Seibert,  Geo,  carpet,  yarns,  &c 
Spengler,  Aaron,  druggist 
Creveling,  F,  paper  boxes,  (up  stairs) 
Siegfried  Bros,  bakers 
Mt  Vernon  Hotel,  Edw  Jacoby,  prop 

South     Third    Street,    West    Side, 

from  Lehigh  Bridge  to  Lehigh. 
Heck,  Geo  &  Philip,  coal  dealers 
First  Ward  Hotel,  J  A  Reichard,  prop 
VVelsel,  C,  fruit  stand 
Diehl,  Chas  P,  barber 
Hawk,  Henry  E,  flour  and  feed 
Lovell  Manufacturing  Co 
Hughes,  J,  saloon 

Siegfried,  Jos,  Jr,  segars  and  tobacco 
VVcipple  .S:  Co,  boots  and  shoes 
D.iub,  Theo  G,  grocer 


Cavanaugh,  James,  physician 
Schwechten,  H  R,  bakery 
Genther,  John,  butcher 
Sommer,  George,  saloon 
Paxton,  J  M,  agent 
King  &  Rezzo,  fruit  store 
Stein,  Mrs  John,  oysters 
Weidknecht,  H  &'S,  butchers 
Koch,  Fred,  saloon 
Stengelin,  Mrs  Anna,  stoves 
Balentine,  James,  cigars 
Ziegenhorn,  Henry,  merchant  tailor 
Behens,  C,  shoemaker 
Kepler  Tilghman,  flour  and  feed 
Roesch  Louis,  boots  and  shoes 
Stier  Philip  F,  residence 
Bachman,  Chas,  druggist 
Kilian,  Mrs  K,  confectionery 
Schoch,  Howard,  jeweler 
Shellenberger,  H  H,  grocer 
SoiUh  Third  Street,  West  side.  Ferry 

to  Centre  Square. 
Crater,  Jos  &  Sons,  wholesale  produce 
Snyder,  Daniel  VV,  confectionery 
VanAllen,  D  D,  paper  hanger 
Garren,  A  L,  restaurant 
Bowman,  John,  cigars  and  tobacco 
Fraunfelter,  Frank,  fruit  stand 
Atlantic  &  Pacific  Tea  Co,  (  F  W  Bell ) 
Rinek  Bros,  rope  store 
Stewart, Russell  C,  lawyer, (up stairs) 
Fine,  LM, 

Hagerman,  H  M         "  " 

Shawde,  E  H,  insurance,  " 

Brown,  John,  tailor,  " 

Cornell  &  Michler,  grocers 
Drake's  Sons,  wholesale  grocers 
Williamson  &  Co,  brokers. (up  stairs) 
Brown,  John,  slate  operator,       " 
Barnet,  H  C, 

Cavanaugh,  H  S,  lawyer,  " 

Steel,  H  J, 
Fackenthall,  B  F, 
Mutchler,  William,    " 
Scott,  H  VV, 
Beidelman,  William,  " 
Brunner,  John,  insurance,  " 

Daily,  Thos,  hatter 
Youells,  T  R  S,  barber,  (basement) 
Grand  Union  Tea  Co,  ( VV  J  Burke) 
Menline,  Moses,  cigar  manufacturer 
Finley,  George,  news  agent 
Hohl,  Stewart,  druggist 
Goldsmith,  Isacc,  Jr,  clothing 
Ehler,  Q  F,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Swift,  B  F, 
Kuntz,  D  M,      " 
Able, Geo,  Jr,  int  revenue" 
Dolan,  Thos  H,  gen  agt," 
South    Tliird    street.    East    side, 

Lehigh  Bridge  to  Ferry. 
Hilllard  &  Dinkey,  coal  dealers 
American  Hotel,  Aaron  Waller,  prop 
Yelles  Henry,  harness 
Walter,  Jacob,  flour  and  feed 
Garis,  Owen,  cabinet  maker 
Sciple,  George  E,  toys 
Young,  James,  coal  dealer 
Lee,  Hop,  laundry 
Ehly,  Mrs  D  A,  coflee  house 
Arndt  P  F  &  Oliver,  physicians 
Martin,  John,  book  store 
Mebus,  Fred  L,  druggist 


EASTON,    PENN'A. 


475 


Frey,  Joseph  T,  restaurant 
Leiiiiiiger,  Geo  E,  furnilure 
Tombler,  Henry  G,  wholesale  grocer 
South  Third  Street,  East  Side,  Ferry 

to  Centre  Square. 
Bercavv,  Chas,  liquors 
Moravian  Church,  second  floor 
Society  rooms,  third  floor 
White,  W  L,  wholesale  produce 
Terry,  Frank  L,  restaurant 
Heller,  Aug,  stove  dealer 
Easton  Market  Building 
Hapgood  C  M  &  Co,  wholesale  boots 

and  shoes 
Evans,  P  C,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 
Nevin,  D  W,       " 
Maxwell,  H  D,   " 
Johnson,  Jacob,  detective, " 
Hetrich,  C  B,  insurance,  " 
Patterson,  J  D,  coal  mer,  " 
Bissell  Assembly  Room,    " 
Veile,  Edward,  crockery 
Bixler  &  Correll,  wholesale  notions 
Meyers,  O  H,  lawyer,  (up  stairs) 

Geiser,  Geo  W,     "  " 

Goldsmith, Aaron" 

McKeen  Thos  L, 

Hulick,  Wm  H, 

Betz,  H  M,  jeweler,  " 

Fehr  &  Butler, 

Masonic  Lodge,  third  floor 

Phillippe,  Solon,  gun  store 

Dull,  Frank,  grocer 

Reeder,  H  &  F,  lawyers,  (up  stairs) 

Green,  Fred,  "  " 

Thomas  Iron  Co  office,  (J  T  Knight) 

Brown, C  A  H.photogra'er, (up  stairs) 

Memmert,  Chas  H,  barber 

West.  Union  Tel.  Office, (Jno  Saylor) 

Diehl,  J  &  W,  peanut  stand 


North  Third  Street,  west  side.  Centre 
Square  to  Spring  Garden. 

Detwiller,  J  J,  physician 

Tinimins,  Mrs,  residence 

Shipman,  T  B  " 

Kirkpatrick,  Wm,   " 

Hulick, Mrs  Derick," 

Saylor,  R  W,  physician 

Schick,  Geo  P,  residence 

Fox,  Eli  M, 

Rinek,  Thos, 

Armstrong,  W  H,  " 

Easton  Coffee  House 

Forman,  Miss  Mary,  residence 

Boileau,  Samuel,  " 

Drake,  Samuel,  " 

Moon,  WW 

Wood,  J  Whit, 

Frantz  &  Shafer,  grocers 

Gray,  Jeremiah,  residence 

North  Third  Street,  West  Side. Spring 
Garden  to  Bushkill  Bridge. 

United  States  Hotel,  G  Vincent,  prop 

Lang,  John,  barber,  (basement) 

D  Do  You,  laundry 

Wertley,  Jacob,  candy  store 

Parks  &  Pach,  business  college 

Drinkhouse,  Samuel,  residence 

Kirkpatrick,  Morris,  " 

Drennan,  Dr,  •' 

Meyers,  O  H, 

Keim,  Mrs, 

Eisberg,  George  W,  barber 

Serfass,  A  L,  druggist 

Hibler,  William  P,  residence 

James,  R  E,  " 

Hilliard,  Clinton, 

Dinkey,  Amos,  " 

Semple,  Mrs  Ellen, 

Pach,  Alex  L,  photographer 


North  ThirdStreet,  East  Side,  Centre 

Square  to  Spring  Garden  Street. 
Jones,  R  I  and  M  H,  lawyer 
Wallace,  G  V, 
German  Reformed  Church 
McAllister,  Anna  M,  physician 
Bunting,  O  C,  dentist 
Hess,  Mrs  James,  residence 
Lawall,  Cyrus, 

Porter,  James  M,  civil  engineer 
Porter,  Mrs,  residence 
Seitz,  Chas, 
Reeder,  Frank,    " 
Hunt,  J  S,  physician 
Probst's  residence 
Roseberry,  J  \,  physician 
North  ThirdStreet,  East  Side , Spring 

Garden  to  Bushkill  Creek. 
Arlington  House,  Jacob  Frone,  prop 
Berlin,  fancy  store 

Michler,  James,  grocer 
Weston,  Mrs  K,  boarding 

Drake,  Miss  K,  residence 

Magee,  Jos,  " 

Huber 

Wik,  Max,  shoemaker 

Arnold,  John,  grocer 

King,  M  H.meat  market 

Van  Norman,  Mrs,  residence 

Ostforss,  C  G,  merchant  tailor 

Dudley,  Frank,  oysters 

Bell,  Ferdinand,  residence 

Bird,  Geo,  " 

Able,  George, 

Schoolev,  David, 

Colbert,'  Chas  S, 

Weaver,  John,  " 


EASTON   BUSINESS  PEOPLE-CLASSIFIED. 


ACADEMIES  AND  SCHOOLS. 
Drisbrow  M  M,  Odenweldertown 
EastonBusinessCollege,CentreSquare 
Hecht  Tillie,  304  Bushkill 
Lerch  Charles  H,  13  South  Fourth 
Park  &  Crawford,  114  North  Third 

ARCHITECT. 
Stewart  John  M,  502  Northampton 
ATTORNEYSAT-LAW. 
See  Page  421. 
ART   GOODS. 
Grawitz  Christ,  223,  Northampton 
Kahn  Emanuel,  247  Northampton 
Walter  &  Bishop,  467  Northampton 

AUCTIONEERS. 
Bitters  John,  65o  Ferry 
Meyers  Lawrence  P,  115  South  Third 

BAKERS. 
Deichman  Chas,  52  North  Seventh 
Duhart  Fred,  635  Northampton 
Felver  Wm  S,  167  Northampton 
Fisher  Lewis  A,  49  South  Fourth 
Fraunfelter  Wm  H  F,  134  Cattell 
Kauffman  William,  409  Cattell 
Lanche  Christian,  35  South  Eleventh 
Miller  William  R,  100  Washington 
Ruppjohn,  22  North  Seventh 
Schwarz  Paul  G,  601  Northampton 
Schwechten  H  R,  159  South  Third 
Short  George  R,  1014  Ferry 
Siegfried  W   &  Bro,  540  Northampton 


BANKS. 

Easton  National,  North'n  cor  Bank 

[    First  National,  S  WcorCentre  Square 

Northampton  Co  Nat,  459  North'ton 

BARBERS. 
Bissell  Gilbert  M,  25  Centre  Square 
Breininger  Albert,  S31  Northampton 
I    Brvson  Pennel  C,  Central  Hotel 
1    Bryson  William  R,  609  Walnut 
Burk  Frank  L,  1147  Ferry 
Davenport  George,  764  Washington 
Davis  Wm  V,  617  Northampton 
Diehl  Chas  P,  221  South  Third 
Eisberg  George  W,  138  North  Third 
Flint  H  D,  541  Northampton 
Hay  Frank  L,  1145  Northampton 
Knapp  Wm  H,  148  Northampton 
Lang  John,  United  States  Hotel 
Leidich  Geo  W,  427  Northampton 
Leidich  Herbert,  336  Northampton 
Memmert  Chas  H,  11  South  Third 
Parks  Wm  R,  57  Centre  Square 
Peil  Nicholas,  119  Cattell 
Pierce  Harry  R,  1034  Washington 
Reich  Stanton  W,  936  Ferry 
Snyder  Joseph,  227  South  Fourth 
Youells  B  M,  66  North  Front 
YouellsTR  S,  15  South  Third 
Ziemer  Conrad,  666  Northampton 

BASKET  MAKER. 
Stump  Christian,  1033  Pine 


BILLIARD  HALLS. 
Boyd  Thad  S,  S  W  cor  Centre  Square 

BLACKSMITHS. 
Allabach  George  N,  64  North  West 
Allabach  Samuel,  65  North  Bank 
Gutmann  Gabriel,  1352  Northampton 
Hill  Fred,  327  Ferry 
Messinger  Sam'l  P,  131  North  Fourth 
Mount,  Abram,  20  South  Bank 
Peters  Jos,  Washington,  near  Seventh 
Welch  J  B,  Sitgreaves,  near  Lehigh 

BONE  MILLS. 
Wilson  Bros,  43-47  Delaware 
BOOK   BINDERS. 
Brown  William,  2  Centre  Square 
Maxwell  Wm,  N  E  cor  Centre  Square 
BOOKSELLERS  &  STATIONERS. 
Finley  George,  9  South  Third 
FrueauflTH  T,  15  South  Fourth 
Lindemann  J  H,  416  Northampton 
Martin  John,  116  South  Third 
Maxwell  Wm,  N  E  cor  Centre  Square 
Riegel  Martin  J,  421  Northampton 
Vogel  E  D,  218  Northampton 
Young  William  J,  227  Cattell 
BOOTS  &    SHOES  WHOLESALE. 


BOOTS  AND  SHOES. 
Arndt  C  A,  125  Northampton 


476 


Geehr  Frank  P,  263  Northampton 
Gilroy  Henry,  136  Nortliampton 
Hay  Boot  and  Shoe  Co,  343  North'n 
Heil  John,  210  Northampton 
Laugel  Adam,  442  Northampton 
Laugel  Adam,  Jr,  102  Northampton 
Mebus  John  H,  162  Northampton 
Miller  Aug  S,  26  North  Eleventh 
Moon  W  VV  &  Co,  321  &  447  North'ton 
Roesch  Louis,  113  South  Third 
Steele,  Thomas,  22.5  Cattell 
Tannewald  R,  105  Northampton 
Teichman  Michael,  706  Northampton 
Wilking  J  H  &  Co,  226  Northampton 
VVaeppel  &  Daub,  207  South  Third 
VVolslayer  J  O,  404  Northampton 

BOTTLERS. 
Kuebler  Willibald,  foot  of  Lehigh 
Newman  A,  42  South  Front 
Seitz  Bros,  Bushkill  cor  Green 

BRACE  MANUFACTURERS. 
Knickerbocker  Brace  Co,  333  Church 

BRASS  WORKS. 
Young  Wm,  Sitgreaves  cor  Church 

BREWERS  (LAGER  BEER). 
Kuebler  Willibald,  foot  of  Lehigh 
Seitz  Bros,  Bushkill  cor  Green 
Veile  Xavier,  on  the  Bushkill  Creek 

BRICK  MANUFACTURER. 
Collinge  Alfred,  North  Elder  alley 

BROKERS. 
Hackett  &  Chidsey,  Centre  Square 
Shawdee  E  H  &  Co.  27  South  Third 
Williamson  &  Co.,  Drake's  building 

BROOM  MANUFACTURERS. 


BRUSH   MANUFACTURER. 
Pollock  John,  222  Northampton 

BUTCHERS. 
Andrews  Daniel,  1036  Ferry 
Dachrodt  Daniel  L,  609  Northampt'n 
Dachrodt  John,  Fourth  cor  Ferry 
Dennig  Charles  A,  677  Pearl 
Felker  Charles,  501  Northampton 
Genther  John,  153  South  Third 
Herster  Wm  H  &  Son,  27  N  Fourth 
Kase  Philip  H,  516  New 
King  Milton  H,  131  North  Third 
Norton  J  B,  74  North  Second 
Pentz  Marion  A.,  647  Northampton 
Sandt  &  Werkheiser,  201  Cattell 
Sandt  T  J,  334  Spring  Garden 
Seibert  F,  669  Northampton 
Snyder  Charles,  127  Cattell 
Snyder  Charles  E,  722  Ferry 
Snyder  F,  633  Walnut 
Spitznagle  F,  104  Northampton 
Weber  &  Patier,  1214  Northampton 
Weidnecht  H  &  S  C,  133  S  Third 
Weller  George  M,  506  Ferry 
Youngken  W  &  Co,  636  Northampt'n 

CARPENTERS. 
Bachman  Simon  P,  12S  South  Bank 
Cole  Charles  T.,  252  Pine 
Folkenson  Jacob,  1000  Northampton 
Griffin  George  W,  687  Pine 
Hayden  George  W,  40  North  Bank 
Helleck  Reuben,  509  Pine 
Horn,  Steinmetz.t  Co,  121  NSitg'ves 
Lerch  Frank  J  ct  liro,  Pine  cor  West 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


Morgenstern  Lewis,  cor  Pine  and  S 

Mulberry 
Raub  Jacob,  Seventh  cor  Washingt'n 
Ricker  Bros.,  529  Northampton 
Snyder  John  H.,  115  Ferry 
Walter  Edward,  1022  Ferry 

CARPET  CLEANING. 
Keller  C  P  &  Co,  Delaware,  between 
Third  and  Fourth 

CARPET  WEAVERS. 
Hageman  John,  622  Northampton 
Kummer  Frank  C,  2  North  Fifth 
Laube  Francis,  1447  Ferry 
Seibert  George  P,  526  Northampton 
Wenner  Jacob  D,  126  Northampton 

CARPETS. 
Able  Edward,  352  Northampton 

CARRIAGE  BODY  MAKER. 
Lee  William  H,  31  North  Fifth 
CARRIAGE  BUILDERS  AND 
PAINTERS. 
Albright  &  Co,  26  North  Fourth 
Beck  Joseph,  Fourth  above  Bushkill 
Haupt  Bros,  rear  327  Ferry 
Morley  Wm,  Fourth  above  Bushkill 

CHEMISTS. 
Baker  &  Adamson,  Junken,  near  city 


Pyatt,  430  Northampton 

Veile  Edward  S.,  24  South  Third 

Young  J.  McKeen,  211  Northampton 

CIGARS  AND  TOBACCO. 
Balentine  James  R.  E.,  123  S.  Third 
Barron  Samuel  C,  23  South  Fourth 
Baumeister  Jacob,  415  Cattell 
Bowm&n  John  I,  Ji2>  South  Third 
Carey  John  J.,  100  Northampton 
Derr  William  H,  51S  New 
Dunkel  E  K,  249  Northampton 
Eilenberger  Howard,  213  South  Fifth 
Fenicle  Thomas,  506  Northampton 
Gardner  E  D,  607  Walnut 
Goldsmith  Isaac,  324  Northampton 
Kelso  James  A.,  1008  Northampton 
Kemmerer  Van  Selan,  211  Cattell 
Leidich  Thomas,  521  Northampton 
Menline  Moses,  11  South  Third 
Meyer  Leo,  302  Northampton 
Miller  Jonas,  470  Northampton 
Reichard  Stephen,  634  Northampton 
Riegel  Wm  H,  659  Ferry 
Rinn  Lizette,  314  Ferry 
Roll  Wm  F,  454  Northampton 
Rosenfelt  Jacob  S,  473  Northampton 
Schleicher  Charles  E.,  639  North'n 
Schwartz  F  H,  515  Northampton 
Siebert  George,  North'n,  cor  Wood 
Siegfried  Joseph,  Jr,  209  South  Third 
Sommer  George  A,  151  South  Third 
Transue  Samuel,  661  Northampton 
Weisel  Cornelius,  227  South  Third 
Wolfe  Daniel  S.,  S  E  cor  Fourth  and 

Northampton 
CIGAR  BOX    MANUFACTURERS. 
Cheesman  ThosJ,  Franklin,  c  14th 
Schan  Andrew,  693  Pearl 
Youngkin  Wm  H,  33  North  Seventh 

CIVIL  ENGINEERS. 
Brady  P.  17  South  Third 
Cooiier  A  J,  Mt  V.Tii..n  Hotel 


Young  J  Marshall,  Knecht  building 

CLERGYMEN. 
Anspach  John  M,  425  Ferry 
Blauvelt  Geo  M  S,  817  North  Second 
Cameron  Jos  P,  421  Clinton  Terrace 
Carey  J  J,  70  North  Front 
Carlisle  Douglas,  225  Bushkill 
Condit  U  VV,  941  Lehigh 
Ferrier  E,  19  North  Second 
Geissinger  D  H,  330  Ferry 
Hagan  F  F,  The  Arlington 
Hess  .^sher,  S34  Ferry 
Hoffman  L  B,  42  South  Second 
Hufford  R  VV,  68  North  Fourth 
Johnson  John,  137  Spring  Garden 
Kieffer  H  M,  31  North  Third 
Kline  J  Hadley,  450  Ferry 
Knerr  George,  502  Northampton 
Lee  T  J.  103  North  Third 
Levan  Charles  VV,  300  Cattell 
Lindsey  Henry  D,  122  North  Second 
McGivern  James,  132  South  Fifth 
Stem  T  O.  iioi  Washington 
Stewart  Edward  H,  709  Ferry 
Trowbridge  Charles  R,  223  Porter 

CLOTHIERS. 
Gardner  Bros,  420  Northampton 
Goldberg  L  &  Co,  154  and   156  North 
Goldsmith  Isaac,  i  and  3  South  Third 
Goldsmith  I  M,  235  Northampton 
Goldsmith  Simon,  358  Northampton 
Jacob  Adolph,  116  Northampton 
Kalish  William,  12  Centre  Square 
Levy  J  &  Co,  144  and  452  Northam'n 
Levy  Herman,  510  Northampton 
Solomon  Jacob,  336  Northampton 
Washington  Clothing  Co,  452  North'n 

COAL  AND  WOOD. 
Covie  William  &  Co,  31S  Ferry 
Heck  &  Bro,  300  South  Third 
Hilliard  &  Dinkey,  200  South  Third 
Klusmeyer  Henry,  144  Ferry 
Kresslv  James  F,  foot  South  Fourth 
Manning  Geo  C  &  Son,  Dock,  west 

of  Fourth 
Young  James,  134  South  Third 

COAL— WHOLESALE. 
Patterson  J  D,  Market  House  Build'g 

CONFECTIONERS. 
Abel  John,  237  Northampton 
Alcott  Elwood  M,  1032  Washington 
Bellis  Charles,  631  Walnut 
Beless  George,  145  South  Third 
Bryan  William  M,  36S  Washington 
Callaghan  James  H,  1201  Ferry 
DaParma  Sarah  L,  266  Northampton 
Graham  Mrs  Robert,  319  Cattell 
!    Holmes  Annie,  I2t  Delaware 
<    Keiter  John  H,  157  South  Fifth 
Kichline  Edward,  652  Northampton 
Kilian  Mrs  K,  107  South  Third 
Lamb  Mrs  E  H,  Odenweldertown 
Lewis  Elizabeth,  62?  Walnut 
Miller  VV  R,  1001  Washington 
Moserjosiah,  46!  Northampton 
Murphy  B,  56  North  Front 
Nolf  Sophia,  644  Northampton 
Otto  Mrs  E,  152  Northampton 
Richter  Mary  A,  204  Cattell 
Snyder  Daniel  VV,  43  South  Third 
Sterner  John,  56  South  Twelfth 
Uhler  Reuben,  Suspension  Bridge 
Wertlcy  Jacob,  no  North  Third 


E  AS  TON,    PENN'A. 


477 


CONTRACTORS. 

Lesher  &  Son,  1017  Ferrv 
Smith  Jas,  College  Hill 
COOPER. 
Gross  Charles,  Ph,  122  Church 

CORDAGE  MANUFACTURERS. 
Rinek's  J,  Sons,  25  South  Third 

DENTISTS. 
Buckman  W  E,  137  Northampton 
Bunting  Oliver  C,  37  North  Third. 
Detvveiler  W  C,  440  Northampton 
Hertz  John  C,  11  Centre  Square 
Hoffman  Wm  W,  4^8  Northampton 
King  Theo  F,  354  Northampton 
Seip  Herbert  F,  208  Northampton 
Weller  &  Honeywell,  212  North'n 

DETECTIVES. 
Johnson  Jacob,  32  South  Third 
Simons  James,  117  Ferry 
DROVERS. 
Moses  Samuel,  626  Northampton 
Moses  Samuel,  703  Wood  ave 

DRUGGISTS. 
Bachmann  Chas  L,  loq  South  Third 
Eckert  J  W,  145  Northampton 
Groom  E  W,  131  Cattell 
Hoff  John  P,  131  Northampton 
Hohl  Stewart  M,  5  South  Third 
Hammann  Wm  E,  201  Northampton 
Huston  James  L,  901  Ferry 
Keiper  Mrs.  S  H,  701  Northampton 
Laubach  Stephen,  Walnut  cor  Ferry 
Lawall  C  Son  &  Co,  437  Northampt'n 
Mebus  Fred  C,  114  South  Third 
Odenwelder  A  J,  400  Northampton 
Richards  Mrs,  401  Northampton 
Reeser  Tilghman  H,  339  Cattell 
Semple  H  B  &  Son,  323  Northampton 
Serfass  A  Lincoln,  140  North  Third 
Spengler  Aaron,  530  Northampton 
Weaver  John  A,  332  Northampton 

DRY  GOODS-RETAIL. 
Andrews  &  Nolf,  205  Northampton 
Arner  Calvin,  413  Northampton 
Barnes  Mary  A  ,  638  Northampton 
Bricker  Isaac,  219  South  Third 
Bush  &  Bull,  305-307-309  Northampt'n 
Foster  John  O,  1057  Washington 
Carpenter  Allen,  229  Northampton 
Kunsman  W  H,  436-438  Northamp'n 
Laubach  Wm  &  Son,  326-328  North'n 
Lawall  Lyman  H,  446  Northampton 
Lear  William,  Ferry,  cor  Eleventh 
Mayer  B  D  &  C,  525  Northampton 
Nagle  William  H,  1155  Washington 
Orr  Matthew,  306  Northampton 
Rader  &  Bro,  329  Northampton 
Riegel  &  Tinsman,  206  Northampton 
Schoch  &  Stecker,  301  Northampton 
Stern  B,  629  Northampton 

DRY  GOODS— WHOLESALE. 
Hay  J  &  Sons,  2-46-8  Hay's  Place 
Stewart  W  G  &  Son,  24  Centre  Sq 
Bi.xler  &  Correll,  18  and  20  S  Third 

DYERS  AND  SCOURERS. 
King  Wm  H,  225  Ferry 
Rebmann  Robert,  Pine,  cor  Bank 
Schaefer  Charles,  Church,  cor  Bank 

ELECTRICIAN. 
Miller  John  H,  25  North  Fourth 


EMERY  MANUFACTURERS. 

Jackson  Mills  Emery  Co,  ft  S  Fourth 

ENGRAVERS. 


EXPRESS  COMPANIES. 
Adams  S  E  cor  Third  and  Centre  Sq 
United  States,  13  Centre  Square 
FANCY  GOODS. 


Coryell  F  R,  326  Spring  Garde 
Edelman  James  A,  337  Northa 
Goldsmith  R,  159  Northampto 
Thatcher  Isaac  B,  227  Northan 


npton 

ipton 


FISH  AND  OYSTERS. 
Green  Alfred,  Easton  Market  House 
Speer  William,  10  North  Fourth 
VanNorman  William,  21  S  Fourth 

FLORISTS. 
Johnston  William,  62  North  Front 
Keller  William  F,  1131  Ferry 

FLOUR,  FEED  AND  GRAIN. 
Dull  George  E,  243  Ferry 
Fenicle  Thomas,  506  Northampton 
Hawk  Henry  E,  215  South  Third 
Kepler  Tilghman,  115  South  Third 
Walter  Jacob,  144  South  Third 
Zuck  Milton  T,  41  North  Fourth 

FLOURING  MILLS. 
Groetzinger  Chas,  425  Bushkill 
Lafayette,  North  Third,  c  Delaware 
Lehicton,  N  13th  and  Bushkill  creek 

FOUNDRIES. 
Wilson  Jacob,  49  and  51  Delaware 
Young  &  Schlough,  Ferry  &  Sitg'ves 

FRUITS— WHOLESALE. 
Fraunfelter  Frank,  South  Third 

FURNITURE. 
Daub  Wm  J,  403  and  405  Northam'n 
Fulmer  Wm,  14  and  16  South  Fourth 
Garis  Cornelius  W,  228  Northampton 
Garis  William  E,  353  Northampton 
Leininger  George  E,  104  South  Third 
Taylor  Z,  524  Northampton 

FURRIER. 
Gould  Mrs  S,  169  Northampton 

GROCERS. 
Arp  John,  47  North  Fourth 
Barnet  George,  507  Northampton 
Brown  Michael  J,  Odenweldertown 
Bleckley  E  D,  201  Ferry 
Conklin  &  Co,  300  Northampton 
Cornell  &  Michler,  23  South  Third 
Cressman  Jeremiah,  51  North  Fourth 
Daub  Theo  G,  Third,  cor  Lehigh 
Dech  Charles  D.  724  Ferry 
Dull  Frank,  12  South  Third 
Fleming  Christian  K,  401  Bushkill 
Foster  John  O,  1057  Washington 
Franklin  Christian,  601  Walnut 
Frantz  &  Shafer,  68  North  Third 
Fraunfelder  Lewis,  231  Cattell 
Gulick  A  C  &  Co,  169  Northampton 
Hay  Philip,  1150  Northampton 
Hay  T  A  L.  637  Northampton 
Jones  W  B,  cor  North'n  and  Second 
Kemmerer  B  F,  468  Northampton 
Laubach  Robert,  102 1  Northampton 
Lear  Peter,  1301  Northampton 
Lear  William,  Ferry,  cor  Eleventh 
Leibert  John,  di^^t  Northampton 


Ludwig  Henry,  40  South  Fifth 
McCauley  James,  900  Ferry 
Martin  Joseph  H,  434  Cattell 
Mershon  George  M,   1000  Ferry 
Meyer  Abraham,  500  Ferry 
Meyer  Joseph,  129  South  Fourth 
Michael  Joseph,  Ninth,  cor  Walnut 
Michler  Edgar  E,  142  Northampton 
Michler  James  P,  117  North  Third 
Morrow  Charles,  346  Broad 
Moser  Manaver  C,  15th,  c  VVashing'n 
Nagle  W  H,  1155  Washington 
Neary  John  T,  1065  Dock 
Nute  George  H,  44  Cattell 
Odenwelder  H  P  B,  698  Northampton 
Reich  Owen,  Sixth  corner  Walnut 
Reichard  George  W,  200  South  Sixth 
Rodenbach  Thos,  1140  Ferry 
Shawde  John  J,  205  South  Fourth 
Shellenberger  H  H,  Third  cor  Ferry 
Siegfried  J  A,  603  Northampton 
Sigman  Thomas  C,  700  Northampton 
Socks  Michael,  663  Northampton 
Snyder  Wm  F,  Walnut  cor  Lehigh 
Sperling  J  G,  Butler  op  Fair  Ground 
Thomas  Mrs  Mary  E,  Walnut  c  Wash 
Titus  Bros,  532  Ferry 
Uhler  Joseph  H,  200  Cattell 
Walsh  Wm  L,  loi  Bushkill 
Werkheiser  VVm,  517  New 

GROCERS— WHOLESALE. 
Drake's  J  Sons  &  Co,  17  Soulh  Third 
Tombler  H  G,  100  South  Third 

GUNSMITHS. 
Fulmer  Jonathan,  519  Northampton. 
Phillippe  S  &  Co,  16  South  Third 

HARDWARE. 
Anglemeyer  Jeremiah,  414  North'n 
Garnier  A  B,  118  Northampton 
Hunt  Edvyard  I,  115-119  Northampt'n 
Losev  &  Co,  347  Northampton 
Miller  S  K  &  Co,  475  Northampton 
Miller  Thomas  T,  30  North  Fourth 
Osterstock  John  S  &  Co,  22  Centre  Sq 
Weaver  W  Stewart,  456  Northampt'n 

HARNESS  MAKERS. 
Martin  James,  t,it,  Northampton 
Moore  Jonathan,  33  North  Fourth 
Steckel  L,  504  Northampton 
Yelles  Henry,  148  South  Third 

HATS  AND  CAPS. 
Daily  Thomas,   15  South  Third 
S  hiffer,  Boyer  &  Co,  500  Northampt'n 
Woodring  Richard  A,  432  Northam'n 

HOTELS. 
American  House,  Third,  cor  Lehigh 
Arlington  House,  3d,  cor  Spg  Garden 
Barnet  House,  55  North  Fourth 
Central,  Fourth,  cor  Northampton 
Clifton  House,  1242  Northampton 
Court  House,  683  Walnut 
Fairview  House,  1030  Butler 
First  Ward,  Phila  road,  c  Washing'n 
Forest  House,  Butler,  near  17th 
Franklin  House,  424  and 426  North'n 
Gerver  House,  126  Northampton 
Keystone,  359  Bushkill 
Mansion,  Cattell,  cor  Monroe 
Mt.  Vernon,  542  Northampton 
Paxinosa  Inn,  Chestnut  Hill 
Star,  649  Walnut 

Strauss,  Mrs  Moses  H,  653  North'n 
Swan,  458  and  460  Northampton 
United  States,  100  North  Third 
Zeiner  John,  end  Lehigh  Bridge 


478 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


ICE  DEALERS. 


INSURANCE. 
Brunner  John,  17  South  Third 
Downs  James  S,  332  Northampton 
Duncan  Joseph  R,  464  Northampton 
Hackett  ct  Chidsev,  next  to  post  office 
Helrich  Charles  B,  Market  liuilding 
Kichline  G  F,  S  \V  cor  Centre  Square 
Kolb  Reuben,  329  Northampton 
Pyle  Robert  C,  326  Northampton 
Shawde  E  H  &  Co,  27  South  Third 
Shimer  Howard  C,  453'/!  Northam'n 
Shrope  L  S,  51S  Northampton 

INSURANCE  COMPANIES. 
Prudential  Ins  Co,  Lawall's  Building 
Fire  Insurance.  S  E  cor  Centre  Sq 
Northampton  Mutual  Live  Stock  In- 
surance Co,  329  Northampton 
Franklin  Livestock  Ins  Co,  515  Nor'n 

JEWELERS. 
Ackerman  T  F,  423  Northampton 
Betz  H  M,  Knecht's  Building 
Bi.xler  C  Willis,  406  Northampton 
Bixler  J  E,  317  Northampton 
Bush  William  A,  166  Northampton 
Clark  David,  245  Northampton 
Fox  &  Fulmer,  345  Northampton 
Heckman  Edward,  13  South  Fourth 
Schoch  J  Howard.  103  South  Third 
Smith  J  Richmond,  149  Northampton 

JUNK  DEALERS. 
Klein  George,  Seventh,  cor  Pine 

L.^UNDRIES. 
Easton  Steam,  125  North  Sitgreaves 

LEATHER  AND  FINDINGS. 
Fraley  Jacob,  351  Northampton 
LIME  BURNERS  AND  DEALERS. 
Kocher  Wm  I,  700  Northampton 
Smith  George,  22  South  Fourth 

LIQUORS-WHOLESALE. 
Bercaw  Charles,  Third,  cor  Ferry 
Runyan  Thomas  A,  158  Northampt'n 
Sage  H  A,  352  Northampton 
Wolfe  &  Co,  14  North  Fourth 
LIVERY  &  BOARDING  STABLES. 
Able  Josiah,  40  North  Second 
Frankenfield  Amos  J,  rear  U  S  Hotel 
Fields  D  S,  Sitgreaves  near  Ferry 
Francisco  &  Co,  foot  N  Sitgreaves 
Heck  Geo,  Washington,  above  3d 
Hemingway  Charles  L,  Church,  c  5th 
Hill  Fred,  325  Ferry 
Lehn  George  D,  Pine,  cor  Bank 
Shipman  George,  North  Bank 

LOCKSMITHS. 
Cochems  Henry,  650  Northampton 
Preusser  Richard  F,  241  Ferry 
Schindler  Edward,  107  North  Fourth 

LUMBER  DEALERS. 
Manning  Geo  C  &  Son,  Dock,  west  of 

Fourth  and  P'g 
Schimmel  George,  421  Church 
Stair  John  E,  22  Lehicton 
Steinmetz  &  Zearfoss,  31  South  Front 
Zearfoss  &  Hilliard,  Front  &  Bushk'l 

MALSTER. 
Seitz  C  &  F,  127  to  139  Ferry 


MARBLE  YARDS. 
Carey  George  A,  18  South  Fifth 
Easton  Marble  Co,  123  South  Fourth 
Frey  Aaron,  351  Ferrv 
Hartzel  &  Smith,  431'Bushkill 
Howell  D  J,  23  South  Front 
Ippich  Christian,  1220  Spruce 

MEATS-WHOLESALE. 
Easton  Beef   Co,  Canal,  near  L  V  R 

R  freight  depot,  S  E 

MEN'S  FURNISHING  GOODS. 
Seitz  C  E,  Northampton  &  Centre  Sq 
Friedlich  Moses,  402  Northampton 
Sherer  Bros,  no  Northampton 

MERCHANT  TAILORS. 
Correll  Jacob  C,  126  Northampton 
Freeman  Nathan,  310  Northampton 
Freytag  Bros,  454  Northampton 
Goehler  Philip,  20  South  Fourth 
Goodman  Jesse  S,  44  Spring  Garden 
Hasbrouck&  Kloffenstein,  cor  North- 
ampton and  Bank 
Herst  David,  207  Northampton 
Mohr  Herman,  1131  Lehigh 
Pickel  Andrew,  514  Northampton 
Reese  Jacob  H,  S  E  cor  Centre  Sq 
Rosenfelt  Lewis,  459  Northampton 
Schwartz  Jacob,  Snufftown 
Shimer  P  A  &  Son,  342  Northampton 
Ziegenhorn  Henry,  121  South  Third 

MILLINERS. 
Bunstein  &  Co.,  215  Northampton 
Heller  Maria  F,  4  Centre  Square 
Hellman  &  Bro,  161  Northampton 
Parks  Mrs  G,  109  Northampton 
Rosenbaum  L,  407  Northampton 
Stern  Bros,  356  Northampton 
Stinson  Mrs  E  S,  in  Northampton 
Wolf  Sarah,  408  Northampton 
Yeager  J,  loi  Northampton 

MUSIC  INSTRUMENTS.  I 

Keller  W  H,  219  and  221  Northam'on 
Lindemann  J  H,  416  Northampton 

Moser  Josiah,  461  Northampton  { 

MUSIC  TEACHERS.  ! 

Bethman  Charles,  673  Northampton 
Coates  Thomas,  108  South  Third 
Eschenbach.Emma  M,  1040  Butler 
Fritsche  Otto,  36  South  Front  ' 

Kichline  Laura,  333  High 
Lerch  Jennie  M,  521  Ferry 
Mattes  Henry  L,  38  South  Fifth 
Michler  Alberts,  Northa'n  bey.  17th 
Pierce  Jennie  E,  221  South  I7tli 
Roehner  Henry  A,  6S7  Ferry 
Rohn  Olin,  242  Bushkill  Court 
Schneider  Annie  N  C,  214  Bushkill 
Siegfried  Joseph,  209  South  Third 
Stier  Walter  C,  ni  South  Third 
VanDoren  Joseph  M,  165  South  Sixth 
Vannatta  Luella,  217  South  Fifth 

NOTARIES. 
Finley  George,  9  South  Third 
Noble  John,  1035  Washington 
Brunner  John,  Drake  Building 

OYSTERS. 
Dudley  Frank,  141  NorlhThird 
Garren  Jacob  W,  23  Centre  Square 
Rice  &  Arnold,  136  Northampt 


Stein  Ch 


41  South  Third 


OIL  DEALERS. 
Acme  Oil  Co,  Sitgreaves  near  Lehigh 
Hess  Oil  Co,  Sitgreaves  near  Lehigh 
Kossnic  Lubricating  Oil  Co,  Bank  cor 

Snyder  Court 
Philips  J  G  &  Co,  Lehigh  and  Third 
Rothenthausler  Otto,  103s  Elm 
Steckel  Frank  E,  144  Pine 
Wendlingjohn,  1004  Northampton 
ORGAN  MANUFACTURERS. 
Lawrence  Organ  Works,  320  S  Tenth 
Riegel  M  J,  421  Northampton 

PAINTERS. 
Albert  Conrad.  ioo5  Northampton 
Bond  A  W,  51S  Pine 
Drew  &  Tinsman,  77  North  West 
Hartley  &  Peifer,  128  South  Bank 
Hay  &  Randolph,  40  North  Bank 
Heiler&  Co,  Pine  cor  Bank 
Lair  John,  int  Ferry 
Mack  F  VV,  400  Northampton 
Miller  Horace  J,  336  Northampton 
Moritz  &  Stratton,  132  Bank 
MullerC  H,  North  Second 
Roberts  Geo  F,  25  North  Fourth 
PAPER  DEALERS-WHOLESALE 
Nevin  Geo  B,  320  Ferry 

PHOTOGRAPHERS. 
Brown  C  A  H,  14  South  Third 
Hoflfmeier  S  B,  23  Centre  Square 
Knecht  Frank,  354  Northampton 
McCabe  James,  429  Northampton 
Pach  Alex  L,  220  North  Third 
Stout's  Gallery,  303  &  307  Northam'n 
PHYSICIANS-See  page  442. 
PLUMBERS. 
Gebhart  C,  459  Northampton 
Haines  Harry  H,  13  South  Fourth 
Kelly  Wm  C.  210  Northampton 
Mack  John  \V,  67  Centre  Square 
Peacock  Robert,  Pine,  bet  3d  &  Bank 
Thumejohn  F,  Bank,  cor  Pine 
Trumbore  Wm,  219  Church 
Vannorman  J,  cor  Fourth  and  Church 

PRINTERS. 
Creveling  Frank,  532  Northampton 
Easton  Argus.  North  Bank 
Eschenbach  Gustavus  W,  8  N  Fourth 
Express,  17  South  Bank 
Free  Press,  12  and  iS  South  Bank 
Sunday  Call,  318  Ferry 
West  Geo  W,  S.  W  cor  Centre  Square 

PRODUCE. 
Crater  Joseph  F&Sons,  47  S  Third 
Magee  Wm,  Easton  Market  House 
Melick  Howard,  219  Ferry 
White  William,  Masonic  Hall 

PROVISIONS -WHOLESALE. 
Rice  George  O,  Delaware 

REAL  ESTATE  AGENTS. 
Edelman  Wm  C,  334  Northampton 
Knecht  &  Weisenbach,  529  North'n 
Shrope  L  S,  515  Northampton 

RESTAURANTS. 
Eichman  Charles,  537  Northampton 
Green  Geo  B,  Third,  cor  Centre  Sq 
Kelley  Edward  R,  108  Northampton 
Rice  George  W,  543  Northampton 
Walter  William  H,  342  Northampton 
Walter  W  Frank,  50  Centre  Square 


E ASTON,    PENN'A. 


479 


SALOONS. 
Aiier  Christian,  621  Northampton 
Black  John  D,  233  South  Fourth 
Curren  Thomas,  34  Northampton 
Frey  Joseph  T,  no  South  Third 
Garren  Abraham  L,  37  South  Third 
Hughes  John,  211  South  Third 
Koch  Fred,  127  South  Third 
Kurth  B,  Bank  cor  Church 
Laubert  Jacob,  229  South  West 
Newman  Andrew,  509  Northampton 
Reichard  Samuel  A,  518  Northam'n 
Renz  Conrad,  300  South  Fourth 
Schleicher  Peter,  665  Northampton 
Seidl  Max,  22  North  Fourth 
Sommer  George  A,  151  South  Third 
Tacke  Mrs  Fred,  631  Northampton 
Terry  Frank  L,  42  South  Third 
Weaver  Wm,  19  South  Bank 

SCROLL  SAWYERS. 
Garis  Owen,  142  South  Third 

SEWING  MACHINE  AGENTS. 
Francisco  Wm  R,  441  Northampton 
Schey  W  H,  469  Northampton 
Ward  Benjamin  F,  10  South  Fourth 

SHIRT  MANUFACTURERS. 
Butz  Samuel,  319  Northampton 
Standard  Mfg  Co,  Bank,  cor  Church 

SILK  MILLS. 
Simon  R  &  H,  N  13th  at  Bushkill 

SLATE  ROOFERS. 
Linden  J  N,  100  North  Fourth 
Roseberry  James  J,  627  Northampton 


STONE  DEALERS. 
Adams  James,  225  Church 
Kelley  Patrick,  Lehigh,  cor  S  West 
Smith  George,  22  South  Fourth 

STOVES  AND  TINWARE. 
Black  Daniel,  234  Northampton 
Heller  Augustus  F,  38  South  Third 
Mack  Elias  B,  410  Northampton 
Meeker  C  W,  313  Northampton 
Miller  Henry  R,  623  Northampton 
Norton  H.  M,  200  Northampton 
Osterstock  J  S,  212  to  216  Northam'n 
Reaser  Lewis,  323  Cattell 
Schooley  Henry  C,  11 26  Northampt'n 
Schultz  John,  697  Northampton 
Stengeliu  Mrs  Anna,  125  South  Third 

STOVE  MANUFACTURER. 
Wilson  Jacob,  49  and  51  Delaware 

TANNERS. 
Brinker  S  W  &  Co,  Franklin,  nr  14th 
Nenning  Edward  A,  Bushkill 

TEA  AND  COFFEE  DEALERS. 
Atlantic  &  Pacific  Tea  Co,  27  S  Third 
Becker's  Peoples  Tea  Co,  230  Nort'n 
Grand  Union  Tea  Co,  13  South  Third 

TELEGRAPH  COMPANY. 

Western  Union  Telegraph  Company, 

S  E  cor  Centre  Square  and  Third 

TELEPHONE  COMPANY. 
Peimsylvania,  415  Northampton 


TOBACCO— WHOLESALE 
Dunkel  E  K,  249  Northampton 
Dunn  A  R,  37  and  39  North  Fourth 
Magee  Bros,  124  Northampton 

TRUNKS,  VALISES,  Etc. 
Martin  James,  333  Northampton 
UMBRELLA  MENDERS. 
Eschenbach  G  W,  408  Northampton 
Riey  Jacob,  614  Church 

UNDERTAKERS. 
Ashton  Frank,  Pine,  cor  Bank 
Johnson  Wm  H  J,  676  Church 
Keller  Willam,  Bank,  cor  Pine 
Taylor  Z,  524  Northampton 

VETERINARY  SURGEONS, 
Blank  C  J,  318  Ferry 
Burwell  Edgar,  318  Ferry 
Fulmer  B  A,  46  South  Second 
Koehler  &  Moyer,  533  Northampton 

WALL  PAPERS. 
Hazzard  John,  Sr,  610  &  622  Walnut 
Hazzard  Wm  H,  238  &  240  Norlha'n 
Mansfield  &  Helms,  143  Northampton 
VanAllen  D  D,  41  South  Third 

WHEELWRIGHTS. 
Barron  Bros,  684  Northampton 
Roberts  A  J,  rear  Sitgreaves  nr  Lehigh 
Messinger  S,  foot  of  North  Fourth 

WOOD  AND  WILLOW  WARE, 
Bixler  Lewis  E.  425  Northampton 
Sciple  George,  138  South  Third 


Note.— On  page  373  mention  is  made  that  during  tlie  administration  of  Mayor  Chidsey  the  heirs  of  Wil- 
liam Penn  made  a  formal  demand  for  the  Circle  in  the  Square  of  this  city,  and  that  C.  B.  Taylor,  Esq.,  of  Phil- 
adelphia, who  represented  the  heirs,  had  entered  the  Circle  and  taken  formal  possession  of  the  land,  and  that 
the  attorney  was  ejected  therefrom  by  the  Mayor.  Mention  is  also  made  that  ailion  would  be  brought  in  the 
United  States  Distridt  Court  to  recover  the  property.  This  trial  took  place  in  Ocflober,  1SS9.  The  plaintiff  in 
the  case  was  William  Stuart,  an  heir-at-law  of  William  Penn.  It  was  claimed  by  the  plaintiff  that  the  land, 
80  feet  square,  was  given  to  the  county  and  town  for  the  purpose  of  ereiling  a  Court  House  thereon,  and  that 
when  it  should  be  used  for  any  other  purpose,  it  should  revert  to  the  heirs  of  the  donor.  The  property  had 
ceased  to  be  used  for  the  intended  purpose,  and  the  heirs  claimed  the  property.  The  defendants,  on  the  other 
hand,  contended  that  the  grant  to  the  county  created  a  trust  and  not  a  condition,  and  that  the  Penns  had 
thereby  parted  with  their  whole  estate.  A  verdiA  was  rendered  in  favor  of  the  defendants.  The  plaintiff  asked 
for  a  new  trial,  which  was  denied  by  the  Court.  The  case  was  tried  before  Circuit  Judge  McKeuua,  an  1  a  jury  ; 
Mr.  C.  Berkley  Taylor  represented  the  plaintiff,  Mr.  H.  S  Cavanaugh,  County  Solicitor,  and  Mr.  H.  J.  Steele, 
City  Solicitor,  represented  the  defendants.  The  case  will  be  finally  decided  by  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court.  The  attorneys  in  preparing  this  case  were  compelled  to  examine  the  records  at  Harrisburg,  and  during 
their  investigation  they  found  what,  to  the  citizens  of  Easton,  is  a  novelty  in  their  history.  They  found  a  sur- 
vey of  the  land  upon  which  Easton  stands,  dating  as  far  back  as  1736,  fourteen  years  prior  to  the  survey  of 
William  Parsons.  This  survey  extends  along  the  right  bank  of  the  Delaware  300  rods  "  to  ye  point,"  along 
the  left  bank  of  the  Lehigh  494  rods,  and  from  this  point  north  453  rods  to  the  Bushkill,  thence  563  rods  to  the 
point  of  starting,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Delaware.  This  survey  encloses  1000  acres,  owned  by  Thomas  Penn  . 
On  the  back  of  the  sheet  upon  which  the  survey  was  found  is  recorded  the  fa<fl  that  Thomas  Penn  came  in  pos- 
session of  this  land  by  the  snccessful  draught  of  a  ticket  in  a  lottery.  This'was  in  1735,  two  years  before  the 
famous  "  Indian  walk."  The  title  of  Thomas  Penn  was  not  affefted  by  that  transaction,  but  the  original  title 
by  which  the  land  on  whicn  our  city  stands  was  obtained,  was  by  legalized  gambling.  By  reference  to  Vol.  i 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  page  455,  we  learn  that  John.  Thomas  and  Richard  Penn,  in  1735,  made  arrange- 
ments to  sell  100,000  acres  of  land  by ''lottery  sales."  The  survey  above  allude!  to  was  mi  lain  1736,  so  this 
is  quite  likely  the  lottery  in  which  Thomas  Penn  became  possessed  of  the  title  of  the  land  at  the  "  Forks  " 


SOUTH  EASTON. 


HE  location  of  South  Easton  is  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Lehigh  river, 
directly  opposite  the  city  of  Easton.  It  was  originally  a  portion  of  the 
township  of  Williams,  and  a  part  of  the  present  site  of  the  town  was,  in 
years  long  past,  a  farm,  owned  by  Melchoir  Hay,  (the  ancestor  of  the  Hay 
family,  of  later  date),  one  of  the  axemen  who  helped  to  clear  away 
the  thickets  in  the  Forks  of  the  Delaware  and  along  the  Bushkill  for  Par- 
sons and  Scull,  when  they  laid  out  the  town  of  Easton  in  1750.  His  tradl 
was  three  hundred  acres  in  extent,  and  was  (probably  on  account  of  ser- 
vices rendered  to  the  agents  of  the  Proprietaries)  freed  forever  from  the 
usual  quit-rent,  which,  at  the  rate,  would  have  amounted  to  12s.  6d.,  or 
$1.66  per  annum,  on  the  entire  tradl.  Jacob  Eyerly,  of  Nazareth,  purchased 
the  three  hundred  acres  (there  was  another  small  lot  belonging  to  the  Hay  property)  in 
the  year  1796,  and  two  years  later  sold  it  again  to  Henry  Snyder,  of  Easton,  for  eight 
hundred  pounds.  It  continued  as  simply  a  farm  tra(5l  for  thirty  years,  when  it  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Company,  and  by  them  the  town  of  South 
Easton  (the  first  modest  commencement  of  the  present  borough")  was  laid  out  in  1833. 

It  was  incorporated  as  a  borough  July  8,  1840.  An  A61  of  Assembly  had  been  passed 
May  27,  1840,  entitled  "An  AS.  to  eredl  the  town  of  South  Easton,  in  the  county  of 
Northampton,  into  a  borough,  and  for  other  purposes,"  which  Adl  dire<5led  an  elecftion 
to  be  held  at  the  house  of  David  Moyer,  in  said  borough,  "  To  eledl  one  citizen,  who  shall 
be  styled  Burgess  ;  and  six  citizens  who  shall  be  a  Council,  and  shall  also  elecft,  as  afore'- 
said,  a  High  Constable."  Such  elecftion  having  been  held  on  the  fourth  of  July,  1840, 
the  following  officers  were  duly  eledled  :  Burgess,  Christian  Martin  ;  Conncilmen,  Wil- 
liam Nyce,  Bartholomew  Murtha,  Amos  Rogers,  Gilbert  Valentine,  George  Savage,  and 
David  Moyer  ;  High  Constable,  Jacob  Deiley.  In  the  year  1865,  the  borough  was  made 
subjedl  to  the  restridlions  imposed,  and  invested  with  all  the  privileges  and  powers  con- 
ferred, by  "An  A(5l  regulating  boroughs,"  etc.,  passed  in  1851. 

It  was  the  canal  outlet,  and  the  very  extensive  water-power  furnished  by  the  canal, 
which  induced  the  establishment  of  the  town  by  the  company  in  1833.  Apart  from  these 
the  advantages  of  location  would  never  have  been  thought  sufficient  to  invite  the  estab- 
lishment of  business,  other  than  that  of  agriculture. 

The  first  enterprise  in  manufadluring,  was  the  establishment  of  a  saw  mill,  in  1822,  by 
A.  Abbott  and  James  McKeen.  In  1833-34  a  patent  bucket  manufacflory  was  started  by 
Messrs.  Bush  &  Paling,  but  the  enterprise  was  unsuccessful,  and  in  1836  the  building  was 
purchased  by  Clark  iSi  Maxwell,  and  converted  into  a  grist  mill. 

Amos  Rogers  was  the  first  to  open  the  business  of  blacksmithing  in  South  Easton. 
The  old  gentleman  is  still  living  (1889).  Joseph  Waltham  was  the  first  house-carpenter 
in  the  town,  he  having  built  a  house  here  in  the  fall  of  1834. 


SOUTH    E ASTON. 


The  first  public  house  was  licensed  in 
April,  1834,  and  opened  by  Henry  Eichinan, 
at  the  corner  of  Canal  and  Delaware  streets. 
The  first  store  was  opened  in  1834  by  Philip  H. 
Depui,  and  the  first  physician  was  Dr.  Alex- 
ander Gaston,  who  came  from  West  Chester,  Pa. 

A  second  flour  mill  was  erecfted  in  1834  by 
Charles  Swift.  This  was  a  stone  structure. 
In  1856  the  building  was  changed  into  a  foun- 
dry and  machine  establishment,  where  the  en- 
gine and  boilers  of  the  ill-fated  Alfred  Thomas 
were  manufa<5lured.  F.  M.  Wells  and  James 
Kidd  had  control  of  the  business. 

A  cotton  mill  was  established  in  1835  by 
Swift  &  Beck.  This  enterprise  was  the  pioneer 
of  the  business  which  has  become  so  important 
a  branch  of  industry  in  the  years  which  have 
succeeded.  In  1844  the  mill  passed  into  the 
hands  of  McKeen  &  Quinn,  who  enlarged  and 
extended  the  business.  In  1872  the  firm  name 
was  changed  to  McKeen  &  Raphael,  and  in 
1888  the  company  was  incorporated  and  is  now 
known  as  The  Lehigh  Mills  Company.  The 
presidency  is  vacant,  owing  to  the  recent  death 
of  Henry  McKeen,  and  its  Treasurer  is  Henry 
McKeen,  Jr.  Two  hundred  hands  are  em- 
ployed and  the  mills  use  from  fifteen  to  eighteen 
hundred  bales  of  cotton  annually. 

A  blast-furnace  for  making  pig-iron  was 
erecfted  in  South  Easton,  in  1839,  by  Barnet, 
Swift  &  Co.  The  blast  was  driven  by  the 
water-power  of  the  canal  and  the  fuel  used  was 
charcoal,  from  near  the  Lehigh  Water  Gap. 
The  ore  smelted  was  principally  the  brown 
hematite,  mined  at  the  base  of  the  South 
Mountain,  with  a  small  proportion  of  magnetic 
ore  from  New  Jersey.  The  furnace  produced 
about  twenty-five  tons  per  week.  In  1844  the 
furnace,  together  with  the  large  stone  foundry 
annexed,  came  into  possession  of  Frederick 
Goddell,  who  demolished  it,  and  on  its  site 
ere6ted  a  new  one,  in  which  anthracite  coal 
was  used.  In  1854  it  was  purchased  by  the 
Glendon  Iron  Company,  who  are  its  present 
owners. 


482  THE  HISTORY  OF 

Stewart  &  Co. 's  wire  mills  were  originally  started  about  1837  for  the  inaniifa(fture  of 
nails,  but  this  they  relinquished  and  commenced  the  manufacfture  of  wire.  The  works  at 
first  produced  about  25,000  bundles  annually  and  the  increase  has  been  steady  and  gradual 
until  now  their  capacity  when  in  full  operation  is  600,000  bundles  per  year.  The  owners 
use  nothing  but  the  best  charcoal  iron  in  the  production  of  their  iron  wire,  it  being 
obtained  principally  in  the  States  of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New  York  and  Maryland, 
with  some  as  far  off  as  Canada,  Germany,  Sweden  and  Norway.  The  introduction  into 
use  of  barbed  wire  for  fencing  rendered  necessary  the  use  of  bessemer  steel  in  addition  to 
the  iron  which  had  for  many  years  been  solely  used  in  the  manufacfture  of  wire.  It  was 
in  the  manufacture  of  only  the  very  best  grades  of  iron  wire  in  multiplied  forms  and  for 
multitudinous  purposes  that  the  firm  built  up  its  reputation  for  their  excellent  product, 
surpassed  by  none  in  the  country  or  the  world.  They  employed  at  first  only  forty-five 
hands,  which  number  has  been  increased  from  time  to  time  until  when  in  full  operation 
they  require  for  their  product  of  80  tons  per  day,  250  hands.  In  i860  in  order  to  meet 
the  demands  of  their  increasing  business,  it  was  necessary  to  add  another  mill  to  the 
works,  and  in  1870  still  another  was  required.  These  buildings  are  known  as  mills  Nos. 
I,  2  and  3,  and  have  a  frontage  of  eleven  hundred  feet,  which  does  not  include  a  nuuiber 
of  smaller  buildings,  nor  the  building  erected  expressly  for  the  use  of  the  barbed  wire 
facftory  along  the  L.  V.  R.  R.,  in  length  275  feet  by  45  wide  and  two  stories  high.  The 
works  are  run  entirely  by  water  power,  save  two  large  benches  which  are  driven  by  steam 
power.  The  firm  as  originally  established  in  1837,  remained  without  change  until  1852, 
when  Mr.  Charles  Rodenbough  retired,  and  the  business  title  was  changed  to  Stewart  & 
Co.  In  1864  Mr.  John  Stewart,  though  still  retaining  an  interest,  relinquished  his  ac?live 
identification  with  the  works  after  having  been  conne(5ted  with  them  for  a  period  of 
twenty-seven  years.  Charles  Stewart,  who  had  been  his  assistant,  succeeded  him  as 
manager,  with  Clement  Stewart  as  assistant  manager.  The  firm  as  now  constituted 
comprise  Messrs.  Chas.  and  Clement  Stewart  and  the  heirs  of  Jno.  Stewart  and  Jno.  Green. 

The  opening  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  from  Easton  to  Mauch  Chunk  in  1855,  and 
the  erecftion  of  its  immense  works  since  that  time,  is  the  most  important  factor  in  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  South  Easton.  In  the  j-ear  1856  the  company  commenced  the 
erection  of  a  round  house  and  turn  table  on  what  is  known  as  the  Odenwelder  farm,  and 
the  first  building  was  five  stalls  of  a  stone  round  house,  two  of  which  were  used  as  a  repair 
shop  and  the  other  three  to  house  locomotives.  The  corn  crib  and  wagon  house  was  used 
for  an  office  and  blacksmith  shop,  with  a  portable  forge,  and  the  barn  was  utilized  for  a 
carpenter  shop  to  repair  cars.  In  i860  the  business  had  increased  to  that  extent  that  it 
was  necessary  to  build  larger  shops  and  increase  the  number  of  employees.  The  following 
were  then  ere<5ted  :  Machine  shop,  60  feet  wide  by  150  feet  long  ;  black  smith  shop,  40 
feet  wide  by  150  feet  long  ;  carpenter  shop,  36  feet  wide  by  125  feet  long. 

In  i860  there  were  employed  in  the  shop  sixty-three  men  and  on  the  road  twenty 
locomotives.  The  pay  rolls  of  the  shop  at  this  place,  in  i860,  amounted  to  $2,040.55  per 
month,  and  at  the  present  time  (1889)  the  amount  paid  out  monthly  is  $28,400.00  to  shop 
employees.  In  i860  there  were  twenty  locomotives  used  to  do  the  business  from  Mauch 
Chunk  to  Easton,  and  at  the  present  time  it  requires  one  hundred  and  sevcnty-fi\e  locomo- 
tives to  move  the  immense  and  constantly  increasing  traffic  from  Mauch  Chunk  to 
Perth   Anibov. 


SOUTH   E ASTON.  483 

In  1875  the  road  was  extended  from  Easton  to  Perth  Amboy,  a  distance  of  sixty  and 
one-half  miles,  where  the  coal  is  loaded  into  vessels  for  shipment. 

In  1878  it  was  found  necessary  to  again  enlarge  the  works  on  account  of  the  increased 
business,  and  it  was  feared  they  would  be  taken  away  from  South  Easton  on  account 
of  not  having  sufficient  room  to  build,  when  the  business  men  and  public  spirited  citizens 
agreed  to  purchase  a  block  of  ground  covered  with  buildings  adjoining  the  present  works, 
the  company  agreeing  to  pay  $50,000  of  the  purchase  money  if  the  citizens  would  pay 
the  balance.  After  the  purchase  of  the  property  the  following  buildings  were  erefted 
thereon  :  Car  shop,  60  feet  by  300  feet  ;  foundry,  50  feet  by  200  feet  ;  engine  (or 
round)  house,  300  feet  in  diameter,  with  40  pits  for  locomotives  ;  office,  40  feet  by  40  feet, 
two  stories  ;  creeling  shop  with  room  for  eleven  locomotives,  75  feet  wide  by  280  feet  long, 
two  stories  ;  transfer  table,  40  feet  wide,  on  which  the  locomotives  are  transferred  from 
the  round  house  to  the  pits  in  the  eredling  shop  to  be  repaired. 

At  the  present  time  there  are  550  men  employed  in  these  shops  in  repairing  old  and 
building  new  locomotives  and  passenger  cars,  which  are  as  good  as  any  built  in  the  United 
States.  John  I.  Kinsey  has  been  master  mechanic  from  May  14,  1856,  to  the  present  time. 
The  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Bridge  "Shops  are  located  a  short  distance  above  the 
railroad  station,  and  were  for  many  years  under  the  superintendence  of  the  late  William 
Kellog,  but  since  that  gentleman's  decease,  W.  F.  Pascoe  has  been  in  charge.  A  large 
force  of  skilled  mechanics  and  laboring  men  are  employed,  and  are  sent  over  the  entire 
length  of  the  L.  V.  R.  R.  to  construdl  bridges,  build  depots,  etc. 

The  National  Switch  and  Signal  Company  is  a  comparatively  new  industry  here  and 
is  occupying  the  large  strufture  vacated  a  few  years  ago  by  the  Iowa  Barbed  Wire  Works. 
The  brilliant  railroad  signals  at  the  L.  V.  R.  R.  bridge  shops  were  first  erecfted  there  on 
trial,  is  the  invention  of  C.  Hirschel  Koyl,  and  is  known  as  the  Koyl  Parabolic  Sema- 
phore. As  this  is  the  only  semaphore  in  the  world  of  which  the  blade  can  be  seen  both 
day  and  night  (red  for  danger  and  white  for  safety)  we  append  a  brief  description  :  Day- 
light fixed  signals  on  railroads  have  heretofore  been  position  signals,  changing  in  position 
only,  and  the  night  signal  has  changed  in  color  only,  and  it  was  desired  by  the  railroads 
to  have  a  semaphore  which  should  change  both  position  and  color  at  all  times.  This 
semaphore  was  invented  for  this  purpose,  the  blade  being  illuminated  at  night  by  the 
lamp  which  is  in  front,  and  its  great  value  consists  in  the  fa<ft  that  at  night  the  railroad 
semaphore  light  can  not  be  mistaken  for  any  other  light.  The  city  of  Philadelphia  has 
just  awarded  to  Prof.  Koyl  the  John  Scott  Legacy  Medal  as  marking  their  appreciation 
of  the  value  of  the  new  semaphore.     W.  F.  Pascoe  is  the  engineer  in  charge. 

The  Franklin  Fire  Company  was  established  about  the  year  1840.  At  that  time  it 
was  known  as  the  Pocohontas  Fire  Company,  and  was  organized  by  the  older  citizens  of 
the  borough.  It  was  conduced  by  them  for  a  few  years,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of 
the  young  men.  The  old  Pocohontas  company  used  a  hand  engine  built  in  New  York, 
and  after  the  young  men  took  the  matter  in  hand,  they  purchased  a  hose  carriage  from  the 
Franklin  Fire  Company  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  fa6l  of  this  name  being  handsomely 
marked  upon  the  apparatus,  induced  the  company  to  change  their  name  to  the  ' '  Franklin. ' ' 
James  Young  was  President.  The  company  afterwards  purchased  a  steamer  from  New 
York.  The  present  officers  are — President,  Jacob  Kemmer  ;  Vice  President,  Harry  Paul ; 
Secretary,  James  Case;  Treasurer,  Richard  McKeen;  Engineer,  Edward  Ashmore. 


484  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  Liberty  Hose  Company  No.  2  was  reorganized  January  i,  1889.  The  officers  of 
the  company  are  :  President,  Charles  Elkins  ;  Vice  President,  Joseph  Goth  ;  Secretary, 
Nicholas  Albus  ;  Treasurer,  Nicholas  Hertkorn. 

The  Citizens'  Hose  Company  No.  3  of  the  Third  Ward  was  formed  early  in  18S8,  and 
was  reorganized  and  recognized  by  Council  in  January,  1889.  The  company  has  a  fine 
carriage  and  a  thousand  feet  of  Eureka  hose.  The  officers  of  the  company  are  :  President, 
A.  H.  R.  Guiley,  M.  D.  ;  Vice  President,  William  McKee  ;  Secretary,  George  Furguson  ; 
Treasurer,  Thomas  L.  Rice.     There  are  twenty-five  adlive  members. 

Delaware  Street  M.  E.  Church. — The  oldest  church  society  of  South  Easton 
is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination,  a  class  being  formed  as  early  as  1834. 
For  a  number  of  years  their  meetings  were  held  in  the  school  house.  In  1843  a  congre- 
gation was  formed  by  the  eleclion  of  a  board  of  trustees  and  a  frame  house  of  worship 
erected.  In  i860  the  present  commodious  stru<5lure  at  Mauch  Chunk  and  Delaware 
streets  was  dedicated.  Fifteen  years  later  the  parsonage  was  built  on  part  of  the  church 
lot.  The  church  and  sabbath  school  connected  therewith  are  now  in  a  very  prosperous 
condition.     The  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  T.  Swindells. 

St.  Joseph's  German  Catholic  Church. — This  church  was  er<?ted  in  1852  and 
occupies  a  commanding  position  on  the  summit  of  Lehigh  hill,  overlooking  both  the 
the  Delaware  and  Lehigh  Valleys,  and  the  greater  portions  of  the  cities  of  Easton  and 
Phillipsburg.  Connected  with  the  church  is  a  fine  parsonage  and  a  parochial  school 
capable  of  accommodating  several  hundred  children.  This  is  under  the  charge  of  the 
Benedictine  Sisters  of  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  who  carefully  look  after  its  temporal  needs.  A 
good  common  school  education  in  both  English  and  German  is  furnished  wholly  at  the 
expense  of  the  church.     The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  James  Regenery. 

St.  Peter's  Reformed  Church. — The  congregation  of  St.  Peter's  Reformed 
Church  was  organized  by  the  ele6lion  of  trustees  in  May  1862,  but  did  not  become  a  self- 
supporting  charge  until  the  spring  of  1884,  when  with  about  one  hundred  members  Rev. 
G.  W.  Roth  assumed  the  pastorate.  In  1886  Rev.  M.  H.  Mill,  the  present  minister,  took 
charge  of  the  flock,  and  the  society  became  a  corporate  body.  For  some  years  decided 
progress  in  a  spiritual  sense,  monetary  soundness  and  numerical  strength  has  beeu  made. 
At  the  present  writing  their  new  house  of  worship  is  in  process  of  erettion  at  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Centre  streets.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  July  28,  1889.  When  com- 
pleted it  will  be  the  largest,  as  well  as  one  of  the  finest  church  edifices  in  the  borough. 
The  congregation  at  present  numbers  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  souls. 

St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. — This  society  was  organized  in 
January,  1863,  and  conjointly  with  St.  Peter's  Reformed  congregation  worshiped  in  Hay's 
Chapel  until  the  summer  of  1884,  when  they  removed  to  the  leifture  room  and  two  years 
later  took  possession  of  the  main  room  of  their  handsome  new  building  at  Berwick  and 
Delaware  streets,  completed  and  dedicated  June  13,  1886.  Rev.  J.  Q.  Upp  has  overseen 
the  spiritual  affairs  of  the  congregation  since  June,  1877. 

Grace  Evangelical  Church. — This  association  began  its  now  prosperous  career 
in  1869,  when  Rev.  Dr.  O.  L.  Saylor,  of  Easton,  organized  a  class  and  held  prayer  meet- 
ings at  the  homes  of  those  interested  in  the  denominational  work.  The  progress  was 
however  slow  until  Rev.  S.  C.  Breyfogle  by  skillful  management  and  unfaltering  zeal 
rented  a  room  and  organized  a  class  of  about  twenty  members  in  1879.     During  the  three 


E ASTON,    PENN'A.  485 

years  of  Rev.  Breyfogle's  ministration  many  disadvantages  were  overcome  and  a  slow  but 
steady  growth  was  maintained.  In  1882,  the  conference  assigned  Rev.  W.  H.  StaufiFer 
to  the  charge  and  instructed  him  to  use  every  exertion  towards  the  erection  of  a  chapel. 
The  minister  and  his  band  of  followers  worked  hard  and  the  edifice  at  the  corner  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  and  McKeen  streets  is  the  result  of  their  labors.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  G. 
Wes.  Marquardt. 

Presbyterian  Church. — The  movement  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a 
church  of  this  denomination  began  in  1874.  For  many  years  prior  to  this  time  Sunday 
Schools  had  been  condudled  mainly  through  the  combined  efforts  of  the  First  Presbyter- 
ian and, the  Brainerd  churches  of  Easton,  its  instrudlors  principally  being  students  of 
Lafayette  College.  In  January,  1879,  ^  petition  was  presented  to  the  Presbytery,  signed 
by  fifty-seven  names  for  the  establishment  of  a  church,  but  while  that  body  declined,  it 
advised  the  raising  of  funds  to  build  a  house  of  worship.  In  1881  a  lot  was  purchased 
and  on  September  22,  a  church  was  organized  with  ninety-five  members  which  soon  after 
reached  one  hundred  and  thirty-three,  and  at  the  present  time  there  are  one  hundred  and 
fifty.  Rev.  J.  F.  Sheppard  is  the  present  pastor  and  the  only  one  the  church  has  had 
since  its  organization. 

A  Borough  Superintendent  of  Schools  and  the  separation  of  their  school  system  from 
that  of  the  County  has  been  effecflive  in  raising  the  standard  of  scholarship,  in  the  eredlion 
of  first-class  and  well-equipped  school  buildings,  and  in  giving  to  the  borough  a  corps  of 
excellent  teachers.  Previous  to, 1877  there  was  virtually  little  if  any  system  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  borough.  Between  the  above  date  and  1883  they  were  under  the  principal- 
ship  of  W.  H.  Mcllhaney,  who  reorganized  them,  and  upon  this  reorganization  the  present 
excellent  system  has  been  developed  and  rapid  progress  made.  Graduates  are  fitted  to 
enter  any  of  the  courses  of  Lafayette  College.  The  free  book  system  has  been  in  vogue 
since  1883.  Twenty  teachers  are  employed  in  nineteen  schools,  as  follows  :  One  high 
school,  five  grammar,  five  secondaries  and  eight  primaries.  About  1 200  scholars  are  upon 
the  rolls.     Samuel  E.  ShuU  is  the  present  superintendent. 

At  the  present  time  the  social  standing  of  the  borough  is  all  that  could  be  desired. 
Improvements  in  every  dire<?lion  are  being  made,  and  the  upper  part  from  the  old  Phila- 
delphia to  the  Glendon  road  and  south  almost  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  is  now  covered 
with  neat  and  substantial  residences,  each  surrounded  with  a  neat  yard,  and  generally 
owned  by  their  occupants,  the  majority  of  whom  are  skilled  mechanics.  The  estimated 
population  is  about  7500. 

In  1886  a  company  was  organized  to  convey  spring  water  from  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tain into  a  reservoir  built  on  Wilkesbarre  street.  Pipes  were  laid,  and  the  work  was 
completed  in  1887,  the  inhabitants  being  now  supplied  with  an  abundance  of  good  water. 

Toward  the  close  of  1889  eledlric  lights  were  introduced  into  the  town,  the  dynamo 
being  stationed  in  the  building  occupied  by  the  National  Switch  and  Target  Company. 

The  present  Borough  officers  (1889)  are  :  Chief  Burgess,  Frank  M.  Arthur  ;  Borough 
Treasurer,  John  H.  Wilhelm  ;  Town  Clerk,  Joseph  S.  Aldridge  ;  Solicitor,  Henry  W. 
Scott ;  Surveyor,  Peter  Brady  ;  Supervisor,  Lafayette  Sox. 


PHILLIPSBURG.N.J 


HILLIPSBURG  is  one  of  the  largest  towns  in  Warreil  county,  New  Jersey, 
and  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  river,  diredlly  opposite  the 
city  of  Easton — at  the  jundlure  of  the  New  Jersey  Central,  Belvidere 
Delaware,  and  Lehigh  Valley  Railroads,  and  is  the  western  terminus  of 
the  New  Jersey  Central  Railroad,  the  Morris  and  Essex  Railroad,  and  the 
Morris  Canal,  from  New  York,  and  the  eastern  terminus  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Railroad,  from  Mauch  Chunk.  The  town  being  on  much  higher 
ground  than  the  lower  part  of  Easton,  it  presents  a  most  commanding  ap- 
pearance from  that  place.  The  present  site  of  the  town,  according  to  a 
map  made  by  Vonder  Donk,  a  Dutch  engineer,  in  1654,  was  at  that  time 
called  Chinktewunk,  and  was  an  Indian  settlement.  It  was  the  custom  of 
the  Indians  to  make  a  clearing  of  the  land  immediately  surrounding  their  villages,  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  corn.  The  "  flats,"  or  "old  fields,"  as  Mr.  Parsons  calls  them,  in 
his  draft  of  Easton  and  vicinity,  made  in  1755,  immediately  above  the  Delaware  bridge, 
were  used  by  the  natives  for  this  purpose.  The  fadl  of  there  being  an  Indian  village  here, 
is  also  corroborated  by  the  numerous  flint  arrowheads,  hatchets,  and  corn-pounders,  that 
have  been  found  on  the  fields.  The  origin  of  the  name  Phillipsburg  is  not  well  known, 
the  general  impression  being,  that  it  was  named  after  a  large  landholder  of  the  name  of 
Phillips,  who  resided  here  at  an  early  day  ;  but  the  general  opinion  is  that  it  was  named 
after  an  old  influential  Indian  chief  of  that  name,  who  resided  here.  This  supposition 
appears  to  be  the  most  plausible,  as  we  find  the  name  of  Phillipsburg  upon  a  "  map  of  the 
inhabited  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,"  published  by  Evans,  in  1749,  which 
was  before  the  time  when  Mr.  Phillips  resided  here.  This  Indian  chief  Phillip,  was  an 
intimate  friend  of  the  great  chief  Teedyuscung.  Phillip,  with  fourteen  other  Indians,  in 
December,  1755,  was  arrested  by  the  Jersey  people,  and  brought  to  Easton  (it  being  the 
nearest  place  containing  a  jail),  and  committed  to  prison,  not  for  any  crime  they  had  com- 
mitted, but  because  so  great  was  the  panic  created  by  the  massacre  at  Gnadenhutten,  on 
November  24  of  the  same  year,  that  all  Indians  living  among  the  whites  were  suspected. 
At  the  treaty  held  at  Easton,  commencing  July  4,  1756,  the  great  chief  Teedyuscung 
was  present  as  spokesman,  and  in  several  of  his  speeches  greatly  interested  himself  in  their 
behalf  Having  been  born  in  New  Jersey,  he  was  well  acquainted  with  these  Indians, 
and  more  particularly  with  the  chief,  Phillip.  The  event  occasioned  a  correspondence 
between  Gov.  Denny,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Gov.  Belcher,  of  New  Jersey,  from  which  the 
following  is  extracted.  Gov.  Denny,  writing  to  Gov.  Belcher,  says:  "You  will  please 
to  observe  that  in  the  course  of  the  conference,  the  chief  Teedyuscung  has  warmly  solic- 
ited ine  to  use  my  good  offices  with  you,  that  the  Indians  now  living  in  your  province 
have  liberty,  if  they  please,  to  go  and  visit  their  relatives  and  friends  in  the  Indian  coun- 
try ;  the  chief  thinks  when  the  Indians  come  to  see  one  another,  and  learn  how  friendly 


PHILLIPSBURG,   N.J. 


487 


those  in  your  province  have  been  treated,  it 
will  dispose  them  to  peace.  He  particularly 
desires  this  favor  for  one  of  your  Indians, 
called  Philip,  who  it  appears  is  an  old  man,  and 
had  at  first  been  put  in  prison,  but  was  released, 
and  now  lives  along  with  the  other  Indians. 

The  Executive  Council  of  New  Jersey,  at 
Elizabethtown,  on  March  31,  1757,  advised  his 
Excellency,  the  Governor,  to  permit  the  Indian 
chief,  Phillip,  to  pass  to  Philadelphia.  There 
are  numerous  other  circumstances  which  would 
go  still  further  to  corroborate  the  supposition 
that  the  chief  Philip  was  a  great  favorite  as 
well  as  an  influential  man  among  his  people, 
and  therefore  entitled  to  this  honor.  This 
village  was  evidently  settled  by  the  white 
people  before  Easton,  inasmuch  as  Easton 
was  not  laid  out  until  some  time  after  differ- 
ent maps  were  published  giving  the  name  of 
Phillipsburg.  About  the  time  Easton  was 
laid  out,  the  land  upon  which  Phillipsburg  is 
built  was  owned  by  the  heirs  of  David  Martin, 
ferryman,  and  a  Mr.  Cox,  a  merchant  of  Phil- 
adelphia, Mr.  Cox  owning  the  principal  part, 
about  411  acres,  among  which  was  the  "old 
fields,"  on  which,  on  account  of  their  beauti- 
ful location  and  the  advantages  they  appeared 
to  have  for  the  purposes  of  a  town  over  the 
laud  on  the  opposite,  or  Easton  side  of  the 
river,  he  contemplated  in  1752  to  lay  out  a 
town.  This  intention  of  Mr.  Cox's  appeared 
to  greatly  alarm  the  proprietors  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  were  much  afraid  that  it  would  in- 
jure the  infant  town  of  Easton.  In  a  letter 
from  Thomas  Penn,  dated  May  9,  1752,  to 
Richard  Peters,  he  says  :  "I  think  we  should 
secure  all  the  land  we  can  on  the  Jersey  side 
of  the  water."  The  intention  evidently  being 
to  get  this  land  in  their  possession  and  thus 
prevent  any  settlement  there. 

Mr.  Cox  finally  abandoned  his  proje6l  of 
laying  out  a  town  on  the  Jersey  side.  Easton 
in  the  meantime  having  been  made  the  seat  of 
justice  for  the  then  new  county  of  Northamp- 
ton, and  having  a  jail  in  which  to  confine  any 


488  THE  HISTORY  OF 

lawless  characters  that  might  attempt  injury  to  the  settlers,  soon  acquired  a  position 
which  proved  prejudicial  to  the  welfare  of  Phillipsburg.  It  therefore  remained  for  many 
years  a  straggling  village,  in  which  there  was  but  little  improvement  made. 

The  Morris  Canal  Co.,  in  1832,  infused  some  life  into  the  town  when  it  made  it  the 
terminal  point  of  that  waterway,  and  another  step  in  advance  was  when  the  New  Jersey 
Central  Railroad,  in  1852,  opened  communication  with  New  York,  and  the  Belvidere 
Delaware  Railroad  was  completed  to  this  point  in  1854.  Its  future  prosperity  was  now 
secured,  and  since  then  has  become  an  important  railroad  centre,  the  New  Jersey  Central, 
Belvidere  Delaware,  Lehigh  Valley,  Morris  and  Essex,  and  Easton  and  Amboy  roads 
touching  here,  and  the  population  increased  rapidly,  for  in  i860  we  find  it  was  but  1500, 
while  in  1870  it  had  reached  5950  and  in  1881  it  was  7176.  At  the  present  writing  (1889) 
it  is  estimated  at  9500. 

In  1847  Phillipsburg  contained  but  fifty  dwellings,  the  present  Third  Ward  at  that 
time  being  a  farming  region,  and  at  the  bend  below  Main  street  was  located  the  farm  of 
Michael  Roseberry,  extending  as  far  down  as  Green's  Bridge.  The  only  stores  in  the 
town  at  that  time  were  those  of  Charles  Rodenbough  and  Meixsell  &  Tindall,  both  in 
Union  Square.  In  1845  Garret  Cook  erecfted  the  first  brick  dwelling,  and  Dr.  John  Cooper 
was  the  town's  first  physician,  who  lived  near  Green's  Bridge. 

In  1853  the  Phillipsburg  Land  Company  purchased  the  land  adjoining  the  town, 
known  as  the  "Roseberry  Farm,"  which  they  divided  into  lots  and  sold  upon  such 
liberal  terms  as  enabled  many  persons  to  provide  themselves  with  a  home,  who  could  not 
otherwise  have  done  so,  and  upon  the  completion  of  the  Belvidere  Delaware  Railroad,  in 
1854,  from  Trenton  to  Phillipsburg,  the  demand  for  these  lots  became  so  great  as  to  induce 
the  company  to  purchase  another  farm  ;  and  after  the  completion  of  the  Lehigh  \'allev 
Railroad,  in  1855,  tliey  purchased  still  another,  amounting  in  all  to  about  300  acres,  for 
which  they  paid  the  sum  of  ;g55,ooo.  These  lots  were  sold  at  prices  ranging  from  $50  to 
$250  each.  Among  the  sales  eflfedled  was  ten  acres  to  the  Warren  Foundry  Companv  for 
$4000,  thus  showing  an  increase  in  value  in  one  year  of  over  one  hundred  per  cent,  for 
land  sold  by  the  acre. 

Phillipsburg  was  incorporated  March  8,  1861,  and  the  first  eledlion  was  held  at  Fisher's 
hotel.  Union  Square,  on  the  8th  of  April  ensuing.  Lewis  M.  Teel  was  chosen  Moderator 
and  Judge  of  Eledilion,  William  M.  Patterson,  Town  Clerk,  John  C.  Beunet  and  John  Sae- 
ger,  Inspecftors  of  Elecftion.  Three  hundred  and  sixty-three  votes  were  cast  and  tlie  fol- 
lowing officers  chosen  :  Mayor,  Charles  Sitgreaves  ;  Council,  William  Smith,  Charles 
Davidge,  G.  W.  Bearder,  William  WyckoflT,  A.  L.  Farrand,  John  Ingham  ;  Justices  of 
the  Peace,  John  S.  Bach,  Edmund  Teel,  William  A.  Huff;  Patrick  Walsh  ;  Assessor, 
Valentine  Mutchler;  Constable  and  Colle(flor,  Albert  K.  Metz  ;  Town  Clerk,  Thomas  B. 
Reese.  It  is  divided  into  four  wards.  Tiie  present  officers  are  :  Mayor,  J.  S.  Bowers  ; 
President  of  Council,  John  Eilenberg  ;  Clerk,  P.  F.  Brakeley,  Jr.,  Town  Attorney,  S.  C. 
Smith  ;  Treasurer,  George  Eilenberg;  Street  Commissioner,  E.  H.  Bird;  Suryeyor,  James 
E.  Smith  ;  Tax  Colleftor,  Michael  Kinney  ;  Delinquent  Colledor,  J.  M.  R.  Shinier  ; 
Overseer  of  Poor  ;  J.  R.  Lovell  ;  Auditor,  E.  L.  Smith  ;  President  of  Board  of  Education, 
J.  M.  Reese  ;  Superintendent  of  Schools  and  Secretary  of  Board  of  Education,  E).  C. 
Beers;  Treasurer  of  Board  of  Education,  J.  R.  Lovell;  Chief  of  Fire  Department,  Samuel 
A.  Metz. 


PHILLIPSnURG,   N.  J.  489 

The  cause  of  education  has  also  kept  pace  with  the  rapid  increase  of  population,  and 
the  town  can  well  feel  proud  of  her  scliools,  as  they  are  among  the  best  in  the  State.  The 
first  school  house  in  the  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitant  was  a  log  house  that  stood  in 
1801  below  the  stone  railway  bridge  over  Main  street,  in  the  Beidelman  neighborhood. 
In  that  house  a  Mr.  Cohen  taught  school  and  was  known  as  "old  Cohen,"  but  in  1803  a 
stone  house  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  log  cabin.  While  Phillipsburg  was  a  portion  of 
the  township  it  was  divided  into  two  school  distridls,  the  Ihrie  Distridl  No.  10  including 
the  Second  and  Fourth  Wards,  and  Phillipsburg  Districfl  No.  11  the  First  and  Third 
Ward.  When  the  town  was  incorporated  Phillipsburg  Distridl  was  called  No.  i  and  the 
Ihrie  Districft  No.  2,  and  they  remained  thus  until  February  2,  1869,  when  the  two  Dis- 
tridls  were  consolidated.  On  March  9,  1869,  the  Legislature  constituted  the  town  one  school 
distridl  and  divided  it  into  three  secftions,  but  in  March,  1870,  the  sedlions  were  changed 
into  wards,  and  at  the  same  time  provision  was  made  for  the  ele6lion  of  three  School 
Commissioners  from  each  ward.  These  commissioners  were  to  form  a  body  politic  to  be 
known  as  the  "Commissioners  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Phillipsburg,"  and  they  were 
charged  with  the  full  control  of  the  public  school  interests.  The  first  school  house  erecfted 
in  the  present  limits  of  the  city  was  the  Ihrie  school  house.  In  1843  ^  brick  building  was 
built,  one  story  high,  at  a  cost  of  $500.  The  town  felt  the  want  of  more  room,  and  on 
May  10,  1869,  a  lot  was  purchased  of  Henry  Segreaves  for  $1800,  and  a  building  of  brick 
with  sand.stone  trimmings,  three  stories  high,  was  eredled  thereon,  and  it  measures  62  by 
41  feet,  and  has  two  additions,  21  by  42  and  16  by  42  feet.  On  the  first  floor  are  the  pri- 
mary schools,  on  the  second  the  secondary  and  intermediate  schools,  and  on  the  third  the 
grammar  and  high  schools.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  $46,151.84.  There  are  also  in 
each  of  the  other  wards  substantial  buildings  excellently  adapted  for  school  purposes.  The 
school  census  of  1838  gave  the  number  of  school  children  at  that  time  as  78 ;  in  1866 
there  were  1120,  in  1873  they  had  increased  to  2164,  and  in  1880  the  number  was  2268, 
in  1888  the  number  was  2659.  The  value  of  school  property  at  the  latter  date  was  #72,- 
448.00  and  the  aggregate  appropriation  for  school  purposes  was  $15,274.56.  The  schools 
are  under  the  superintendency  of  Edwin  C.  Beers,  A.  M. 

The  religious  history  of  Phillipsburg  dates  back  to  1737,  when  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick  sent  a  missionary  to  preach  to  the  Indians  "at  the  Forks,"  and  in  1740  the 
sainted  missionary,  David  Brainerd,  came,  and  is  said  to  have  caused  a  log  church  to  be 
built  in  which  he  frequently  preached  to  the  whites  and  Indians. 

St.  James'  Lutheran  Church  (the  old  straw)  and  the  Greenwich  Presbyterian  (the  old 
stone)  are  considerably  over  one  hundred  years  old.  These  churches  were  the  centres  of 
religious  influence  for  the  surrounding  country,  and  the  pastors  of  both  these  denomina- 
tions frequently  came  to  Phillipsburg  and  preached  in  the  old  log  house  of  worship  which 
was  at  that  time  known  as  the  Union  Church. 

In  1750  and  up  to  1775  Easton  became  the  centre  of  worship  and  finally  furnished 
church  accommodation  to  all  the  vicinity  (for  the  old  log  church  had  been  removed)  and 
for  seventy-five  years  the  whole  neighborhood  looked  to  Easton  for  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel. 

Presbyterian  Church. — In  1847  there  was  a  growing  convi6lion  that  the  Presby- 
terians of  Phillipsburg,  Easton  and  South  Easton  should  colonize,  looking  to  the  estab- 


490  THE  HISTORY  OF 

lishment  of  a  church  of  this  denomination,  and  on  the  25th  of  April,  1848,  fifty-two 
names  were  secured  to  a  petition  and  submitted  to  the  Newton  Presbytery,  which  had 
control  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  churches,  and  on  Odlober  8,  1851,  that  body  appointed  a 
committee  to  visit  Phillipsburg  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  the  field  with  a  view  to  estab- 
lish preaching  there,  and  the  work  began  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  a  Presb>ter- 
ian  congregation  in  Phillipsburg,  in  1S53.  The  erection  of  the  church  edifice  was  not 
commenced  until  the  following  year,  and  was  not  completed  until  1858.  Between  the 
time  of  organization  and  the  eredlion  of  the  church  building  services  were  held,  the  Rev. 
Smith  Sturges  being  the  first  pastor  by  Presbyterial  authority,  who  was  followed  by  Dr. 
Cattell  as  stated  supply.  Other  changes  followed  until  the  Rev.  H.  B.  Townsend  was 
called,  who  remained  for  over  twenty  years,  and  under  whose  spiritual  charge  the  con- 
gregation prospered  and  became  one  of  the  strongest  in  the  Presbytery.  The  present 
pastor  is  Rev.  E.  Morris  Ferguson. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — It  is  said  that  the  first  person  to  declare 
himself  a  Methodist  in  Phillipsburg  was  Philip  Reese,  who  returned  to  the  town  after  an 
extended  absence  about  1824.  Mr.  Reese  said  he  brought  his  Methodism  with  him  from 
beyond  the  Susquehanna.  In  1828  Rev.  H.  Bartine  visited  Phillipsburg  and  preached 
in  Mr.  Reese's  stone  house,  and  this  was  the  first  Methodist  sermon  delivered  in  Phil- 
lipsburg, and  the  first  conversion  took  place  on  the  stone  steps  in  front  of  it.  In  the 
house  of  a  Mr.  Downs,  a  school  teacher,  the  first  class  was  organized,  consisting  of  five, 
who  were  Mr.  Reese  and  wife,  Mr.  Downs  and  wife,  and  a  Mrs.  Bell,  and  was  under  the 
leadership  of  Mr.  Downs.  The  denomination,  however,  made  but  very  little  progress 
until  1855,  when  a  congregation  was  organized,  with  Rev.  R.  B.  Lockwood  as  their  pas- 
tor. In  1856  a  church  edifice  was  erected  and  a  great  revival  followed,  one  hundred 
persons  being  received  into  classes.  The  pastors  who  have  followed  Rev.  Lockwood,  are 
Revs.  Adams,  Moore,  Day,  Palmer,  Parvin,  Parsons,  Landon,  Seran,  Searles,  Walters, 
Lockwood,  Palmer,  Dickinson  and  Brian.  Rev.  S.  N.  Bebout  has  charge  of  this  pros- 
perous flock  at  present.  There  are  four  hundred  and  sixty  members  in  this  flourishing 
congregation. 

St.  Luke's  Protest.\nt  Episcopal  Church. — Early  in  1856,  Rev.  P.  L.  Jacques 
preached  occasionally  to  the  Episcopalians  in  the  village  school  of  Phillipsburg,  and  on 
December  22,  1856,  St.  Luke's  was  organized.  John  Swift  and  Joseph  C.  Kent  were 
chosen  Wardens  and  William  St.  George  Kent,  William  Newman,  James  R.  Dal  ton, 
H.  C.  Cooper  and  H.  R.  Wiles,  Vestrymen.  A  handsome  stone  church  was  erecfted,  and 
in  June  9,  1861,  was  consecrated  to  Divine  worship  by  Bishop  Odenheimer.  Rev.  Henry 
Mitchell  is  in  charge  of  its  spiritual  affairs. 

Sts.  Philip  .'VND  James'  Catholic  Church. — Previous  to  i860  the  English  speaking 
element  of  Phillipsburg  were  compelled  to  worship  at  St.  Bernard's,  in  Easton,  and  the 
Germans  at  South  Easton,  as  no  church  of  that  denomination  was  located  here,  but  in 
the  above  )'ear  Rev.  John  Smith  of  Patterson,  N.  J.,  was  sent  here  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Baile\-,  with  instrudlions  to  solicit  funds  for  the  ere6lion  of  a  church  edifice,  but  he  had 
hardly  begun  his  labors  when  he  was  taken  ill  and  died,  and  the  bulk  of  the  labor  devolved 
upon  Rev.  C.  J.  O'Reilly,  who  was  sent  here  from  Newark,  N.  J.,  to  carry  out  the  plans 
laid  by  his  late  predecessor,  and  in  which  task  he  was  very  successful,  for  in   i86r,  the 


PHir.  A  IPSE  UR  G,   N.  J.  491 

building  was  completed.  At  this  time  the  congregation  numbered  about  five  hundred. 
In  1864  the  parsonage  was  built  under  his  diredliion,  and  from  that  time  onward  gave  his 
entire  time  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  church  and  its  varied  interests,  and  in  this  met  with 
such  success  that  in  1875  his  congregation  numbered  over  three  thousand  and  was  com- 
pelled to  eredl  a  large  church  edifice  and  an  additional  building  for  parochial  school  pur- 
poses.    Upon  the  death  of  Rev.  O'Reilly,  Rev.  R.  E.  Burke  became  its  pastor. 

Grace  Evangeucal  Lutheran  Church. — This  organization  was  effected  in  1869- 
70  by  Rev.  M.  H.  Richards,  now  professor  at  Muhlenberg  College,  Allentown,  Pa.,  the  then 
membership  being  derived  principally  from  worshippers  at  St.  John's,  of  Easton,  Pa.,  and 
St.  James'  in  Greenwich  township.  Rev.  W.  O.  Cornman  succeeded  Rev.  Richards,  and 
he  was  followed  by  Revs.  R.  F.  Weidner  and  J.  U.  Mattern.  Rev.  G.  D.  Bernheim  is 
the  present  pastor. 

Wesley  M.  E.  Church. — A  chapel  was  built  by  this  congregation  in  1872,  in  which 
services  were  held  for  several  years,  during  which  time  the  membership  increased  and  the 
financial  condition  became  such  as  to  warrant  the  construction  of  a  church  edifice,  which 
was  completed  in  1887.     It  is  located  on  Lewis  street,  with  Rev.  John  R.  Wright  as  pastor. 

St.  John's  (Ger.  Evan.)  Lutheran  Church,  was  organized  February  5,  1875, 
by  Rev.  R.  F.  Weidner,  who  remained  its  pastor  two  years,  and  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Herman  Eggers.  During  his  pastorate  Mr.  Eggers  was  killed  by  falling  through  a  trap- 
door into  the  cellar  of  the  church.  St.  John's  was  formed,  chiefly  from  members  of  Zion's 
Church  in  Easton,  and  the  building  in  which  they  worship  was  first  occupied  in  1876. 
Rev.  Bartholomew  is  the  present  pastor. 

Westminster  Presbyterian  Church. — The  organization  of  this,  the  second 
church  of  this  denomination,  was  effected  on  April  27,  i885,  by  a  committee  of  the  New- 
ton Presbytery,  consisting  of  Rev.  J.  C.  Clyde,  D.  D.,  Rev.  H.  B.  Townsend,  Rev.  Wm. 
Thompson,  Rev.  T.  S.  Long  and  Rev.  Roderick  P.  Cobb.  The  ruling  Elders  were  Mr. 
William  D.  Hauk  and  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Stewart.  The  new  congregation  numbered  forty 
members,  and  three  elders  were  elected  :  Jacob  Hamlin  for  five  years,  James  D.  Smith  for 
four  years  and  Peter  W.  Stone  for  three  years.  Rev.  E.  Clark  Cline  was  elected  to  the 
pastorate  on  Nov.  15,  1886,  and  was  installed  January  25,  1887.  Rev.  U.  W.  Condit  pre- 
sided and  propounded  the  constitutional  questions.  Rev.  William  C.  Cattell,  D.  D., 
preached  the  sermon,  Rev.  D.  N.  Hutchinson  delivered  the  charge  to  the  pastor,  and 
and  Rev.  H.  B.  Townsend  delivered  the  charge  to  the  people.  A  church  building  of 
good  dimensions  is  being  erected  (1889),  on  Chambers  Street,  the  main  audience  room  of 
which  will  be  about  fifty  feet  squae.  The  present  membership  is  one  hundred  and 
eighteen. 

The  Phillipsburg  Post  Office  was  established  in  1852,  and  previous  to  that  time  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  looked  to  Easton  for  its  mail  facilities.  Abraham  Lomason  was 
appointed  the  first  postmaster,  who  served  until  1861,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  L.  M. 
Teel,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  Charles  Sitgreaves,  who  was  appointed  in  1866,  and 
was  succeeded  in  1869  by  J,  R.  Lovell.  J.  I.  Blair  Reiley  succeeded  Mr.  Lovell,  who  in 
turn  was  succeeded  by  Frank  Kneedler,  who  was  appointed  under  the  Cleveland  adminis- 
tration, and  thus  far  (1889)  remains  the  incumbent. 


492  THE  HISTORY  OF 

The  Phillipsburg  Fire  Department  is  well  known  throughont  western  New  Jersey 
for  its  efficiency  and  ready  response  whenever  called  npon  to  perform  its  hazardons  duty. 
With  a  department  consisting  of  an  engine  company,  two  hose,  and  a  hook  and  ladder 
company,  it  is  enabled  to  give  satisfadlory  services  under  all  circumstances.  Being  ably 
dire(5led  by  a  chief  and  two  assistants,  Phillipsburg  can  well  feel  proud  of  their  fire- 
men. The  officers  of  the  entire  department  are  as  follows :  Chief,  Samuel  A.  Metz  ; 
Assistant  Chief,  William  Hower;  Second  Assistant  Chief,  Joseph  Firth. 

The  Centennial  Engine  Company  was  organized  in  1876.  President,  G.  W.  Wilhelm  ; 
Vice  President,  Daniel  Troxell :  Secretary,  A.  J.  Clifton  ;  Foreman,  A.  J.  Titus  ;  Assistant 
Foreman,  Edward  Gorgas.     There  are  forty  men  in  the  company. 

Reliance  Hose  Company,  No.  i,  was  organized  in  1887.  President,  John  Folk  ;  \'ice 
President,  Edward  Pendergast ;  Secretary,  Frederick  McCorckle  ;  Foreman,  John  Gipp  ; 
Assistant  Foreman,  Frank  Teiff.     There  are  thirty  men  in  the  company. 

Jersey  Hose  Company,  No.  2,  was  organized  .in  1887.  President,  Matthew  Connell  ; 
Vice  President,  G.  W.  West ;  Secretary,  Arthur  Kase  ;  Foreman,  John  Norton  ;  Assistant 
Foreman,  Irwin  Walters.     The  number  of  men  in  the  company  is  thirty. 

The  Alert  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  No.  i,  was  organized  in  1887.  President, 
Dr.  J.  H.  Griffith  ;  Vice  President,  John  C.  Perdoe  ;  Secretary,  Wm.  H.  Mann  ;  Foreman, 
Charles  Montgomery  ;  Assistant  Foreman,  Reading  Steiner.  There  are  forty  men  in  this 
company. 

Among  the  more  important  manufacturing  enterprises  of  Phillipsburg  is  the  Warren 
Foundry  and  Machine  Company,  which  was  established  in  1856.  The  company  was 
chartered  March  6,  of  that  year,  with  a  capital  of  $200,000.  The  first  directors  were 
James  McKeen,  President  ;  John  L.  Riegel,  Russel  S.  Chidsey,  D.  J.  Miller,  Daniel 
Runkle,  Charles  Sitgreaves  and  John  Lander.  Samuel  C.  Brown  was  chosen  secretary 
and  treasurer,  and  N.  C.  Hudson,  superintendent.  The  workshops  are  all  of  stone,  and 
were  completed  in  the  summer  of  1856,  and  include  a  foundry  112  x  130,  engine  house 
30  X  50,  black-smith  shop  70  x  70,  and  a  machine  shop  70  x  400.  A  railway  track  is 
laid  through  the  shop  and  connedled  with  the  New  Jersey  Central  and  Lehigh  Valley 
railroads.  The  works  cover  about  ten  acres  of  land.  Especial  attention  is  given  to 
the  manufacture  of  cast-iron  water  and  gas  pipes,  branches,  bends  and  retorts.  Superior 
facilities  are  enjoyed  for  the  conduct  of  the  business,  and  heavy  contracts  are  often 
taken  to  supply  large  cities  with  iron  columns  and  water  pipes.  The  number  of  hands 
employed  usually  reaches  four  hundred  and  at  times  will  reach  five  hundred.  In  1S78, 
the  working  capital  was  increased  to  $250,000.  Mr.  Daniel  Runkle  has  been  president  and 
treasurer  for  twenty-five  years,  and  Wm.  R.  Wilson  has  been  secretary  for  the  same  pe- 
riod, and  both  seem  likely  to  continue  in  office  for  an  indefinite  time.  In  18S8,  the 
number  of  hands  employed  was  four  hundred  and  fifty.  Forty  thousand  tons  of  manu- 
factured material  was  the  average  of  the  last  three  years.  In  1888,  $212,000  was  paid  in 
wages. 

The  Andover  Iron  Company  was  established  in  1848  by  Peter  Cooper,  Edward  Cooper, 
and  A.  S.  Hewitt,  all  of  New  York.  They  built  a  blast  furnace  below  Phillipsburg  and 
called  it  the  Cooper  Iron  Works.  Ore  was  received  from  their  mines  in  Sussex  county. 
In  1868  Philadelphia  capitalists  bought  tlie  Phillipsburg  interest  of  the  iron  company 


PHIL  L  IPSE  UR  G,   N.  J.  493 

and  all  their  mine  interest  and  organized  the  Andover  Iron  Company,  with  a  capital  of 
$1,000,000.  Pig  iron  of  all  grades  is  prodnced  with  special  qualities  for  nails  and  plates 
and  other  uses  which  require  the  better  grade  of  iron.  Mr.  Joseph  C.  Kent  is  now  super- 
intendent (1889)  and  has  been  in  charge  of  the  works  since  1854. 

The  Phillipsburg  Stove  Works  began  operations  as  a  stock  company  in  1856,  and  for 
a  number  of  years  was  an  unprofitable  investment  to  the  holders  of  its  stock,  but  changes 
were  brought  about  eventually  which  placed  it  upon  a  solid  business  foundation,  and  for 
a  number  of  years  past  has  been  a  paying  concern.  It  is  well  managed  and  its  wares  in 
the  market  are  considered  a  first-class  artifle.  The  works  employ  a  large  force  of  hands 
and  are  kept  constantly  busy.  The  officers  are — J.  M.  Hackett,  President  and  Treasurer  ; 
E.  L.  Smith,  Secretary  ;  E.  H.  Harmony,  Superintendent. 

Another  important  industry  is  that  of  Tippett  &  Wood,  builders  of  iron  bridges, 
turn  tables,  roofs,  water  towers,  stand  pipes,  tanks,  steam  boilers,  riveted  pipe,  blast  fur- 
nace, and  mill  work.  This  business  was  established  in  1868,  with  a  capital  of  $40,000. 
The  out-put  for  1888  was  75,000  tons  of  manufa6lured  material.  About  seventy  hands 
are  employed  in  the  establishment,  and  $3500  per  month  is  paid  out  in  wages.  Work  is 
done  for  all  parts  of  the  country. 

The  American  Sheet  Iron  Company  was  originally  started  by  John  O.  Wagener,  John 
Evans  and  Aaron  Wilhelm,  all  three  of  whom  were  residents  of  Easton  at  that  time.  It 
was  organized  in  1869  with  a  capital  of  $140,000.  The  original  owners  however  disposed 
of  their  interests  later  on  and  it  was  eventually  organized  into  a  stock  company,  of  which 
Joseph  C.  Kent  is  the  President  ;  George  Danby,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  ;  and  William 
Boofman,  Superintendent.  The  manufadlure  of  sheet  iron  for  various  purposes  is  exten- 
sively engaged  in,  ninety  workmen  being  employed.     The  weekly  pay  roll  is  $1000. 

The  Vulcan  Iron  Works,  located  on  the  flats,  north  of  the  town,  was  started  in  March, 
1871,  by  John  Protz,  F.  F.  Drinkhouse,  and  Clemens  Weaver,  the  parties  all  being  Eas- 
tonians.  The  industry  at  first  was  chiefly  the  manufadluring  of  harness  snaps,  made  of 
malleable  iron,  of  which  great  quantities  were  made  and  sold  for  a  long  time,  but  the 
introdndlion  of  cheaper  grades  made  of  less  costly  material  compelled  them  to  abandon, 
in  a  great  measure,  this  branch  of  the  business.  In  the  course  of  time  F.  F.  Drinkhouse 
became  the  sole  proprietor,  and  since  then  has  made  a  specialty  of  manufadluring  agri- 
cultural machinery,  while  attention  is  also  given  to  the  building  of  machinery  of  various 
kinds.  He  employs  a  competent  force  of  workmen,  and  superintends  the  various  depart- 
ments of  his  establishment  personally. 

The  Delaware  Rolling  Mill  originally  grew  out  of  a  small  concern  owned  by  John 
Semple,  of  Easton,  who  at  one  time  was  located  along  the  Bushkill,  where  Wagner's 
large  dam  now  is.  It  was  known  as  "the  forge,"  the  iron  being  forged  into  bars  at  that 
time  with  a  trip-hammer  instead  of  being  rolled.  The  mill  or  forge  was  removed  from 
the  Bushkill  site  to  Bank  street,  rear  of  the  United  States  Hotel,  considerably  enlarged, 
and  where  the  business  was  condudled  for  several  years.  The  next  enlargement  was  the 
building  of  the  Delaware  Rolling  Mill  in  Phillipsburg,  when  the  old  trip-hammer  system 
was  abandoned  and  rolls  were  used  instead.  Bar  iron  of  all  dimensions  is  manufactured 
here.  F.  P.  Howe  is  the  present  owner,  but  it  is  generally  understood  that  the  plant  has 
been  sold  to  a  Philadelphia  party,  who  will  take  possession  shortly. 


494 


THE  HISTORY  OF 


The  important  industry  of  Phillipsburg  is  the  Standard  Silk  Mill,  which  was  erected 
in  1886,  the  plant  costing  $50,000,  bonds  having  been  issued  and  subscribed  for  by  the 
citizens.  Four  hundred  and  fifty  hands  are  employed,  nine-tenths  of  whom  are  girls. 
The  town  was  particularly  unfortunate  in  not  having  an  industry  prior  to  this  date  where 
employment  could  be  given  to  girls  and  growing  boys,  for  Phillipsburg  is  naturally  the 
home  of  the  mechanic  and  laboring  man,  and  not  the  home  of  the  wealthy  as  a  rule,  and 
the  children  of  these  people  needed  employment  in  order  to  sustain  themselves  and  fre- 
quently assist  their  parents,  so  in  this  respedl  we  class  it  as  perhaps  the  most  important. 
When  the  mill  is  running  at  its  full  capacity  $150,000  will  be  paid  out  annually  to  its  em- 
ployees. The  building  has  four  floors  and  each  has  its  officers  to  keep  order,  superintend 
the  work  in  hand,  and  aid  the  inmates  to  escape  from  the  building  in  case  of  fire.  Alarm 
signals  are  arranged  and  well  understood  by  all.  S.  H.  Larned  is  vice  president  of  the 
company  and  superintendent  of  the  mill,  and  to  him  is  due  the  excellent  discipline  that 
is  noticeable  in  every  department.  Not  only  is  the  throwing  of  silk  carried  on  here,  but 
it  is  received  in  bales  and  carried  through  the  varied  processes  until  it  is  woven  into  the 
finished  fabric.  The  building  is  an  immense  strudlure  of  brick  and  is  looked  upon  as 
one  of  the  most  perfedl  of  its  kind  in  the  country. 

The  American  Brick  and  Tile  Company  was  established  in  1886.  The  purpose  of 
the  company  is  the  manufacfluring  of  brick  and  tiles,  and  similar  wares  from  pulverized 
slate,  under  patents  granted  by  the  United  States  Government  for  that  purpose.  The 
material  used  is  the  refuse  or  debris  from  the  dumpings  of  slate  quarries.  Experience 
proves  that  bricks  made  of  this  material  are  very  far  superior  to  any  made  of  clay,  being 
harder,  stronger,  and  absorb  a  smaller  quantity  of  water,  only  about  one  third  of  the 
former.  Their  pressing  power  is  almost  double  that  of  those  made  of  the  best  clay,  and 
are  particularly  valuable  for  paving  purposes,  both  street  and  side  walks,  and  are  also  be- 
coming a  substitute  for  fire  bricks  used  in  lining  kilns.  This  can  be  seen  by  anyone  who 
will  visit  the  works,  and  inspe<ft  the  fire  chambers  there  in  use.  For  building  purposes, 
these  bricks  are  coming  into  general  favor,  house  fronts  presenting  a  very  handsome 
appearance.  The  capacity  of  the  works  is  almost  20,000  per  day,  requiring  a  force  of 
thirty-five  men.  Judge  Henry  Green  is  President  of  the  company  and  R.  D.  Wilson, 
Superintendent. 

Previous  to  the  establishment  of  the  Warren  Gaslight  Company,  which  was  chartered 
March  25,  1875,  the  Easton  Gas  Compuny  supplied  its  inhabitants  with  that  illuminant. 
The  capital  of  the  company  was  fixed  at  $25,000.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  stockhold- 
ers, Nov.  16,  1877,  J.  A.  Cloud,  Daniel  Runkle,  Joseph  C.  Kent,  S.  A.  Comstock,  B.  F. 
Harris,  J.  H.  Hagerty  and  David  Mixsell  were  chosen  directors.  S.  A.  Comstock  was 
eledled  President  of  the  board,  and  David  Mixsell,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  ;  Samuel  Trum- 
bore  was  elecfled  the  Superintendent. 

The  Phillipsburg  Water  Works  were  built  in  1S86,  at  a  cost  of  $100,000.  The'names 
of  the  officers  are :  Samuel  Thomas,  President ;  J.  O.  Carpenter,  Secretary ;  John  A. 
Bachman,  Treasurer  ;  G.  G.  Striker,  Superintendent ;  J.  Marshall  Young,  Engineer.  The 
contrac?tors  were  S.  B.  Mutchler  &  Bros.  The  reservoir  is  290  feet  above  the  surface  of 
the  Delaware,  which  gives,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  a  pressure  of  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  pounds  to  the  square  inch.     The  distributing  mains  extend  nearly  twelve  miles, 


PHIL  L IPSB  UR  G,  N.  J.  495 

and  were  nianufa<5lured  at  the  Warren  Foundry.  The  reservoir  is  located  on  Marble  Hill, 
and  has  a  capacity  of  2,000,000  gallons,  the  water  being  pumped  from  a  well  or  river  as 
is  desired.  The  daily  consumption  amounts  to  400,000  gallons,  and  the  water  supply  of 
Phillipsburg  is  arranged  for  a  large  expansion  of  population.  In  times  of  high  water, 
when  it  is  unfit  for  consumption,  it  may  be  drawn  from  a  large  well  dug  near  the  river, 
which  is  filled  by  water  percolating  through  the  sand,  thus  giving  pure  water  for  daily  use. 

The  Phillipsburg  National  Bank  was  organized  March  9,  1856,  with  a  capital  of 
;i520o,ooo,  divided  into  4000  shares.  Its  first  Direcftors  were  Charles  Sitgreaves,  President, 
Henry  Segraves,  William  R.  Sharp,  Lewis  Young,  James  Stewart,  and  John  Green.  In 
1861  the  institution  was  chartered  as  a  national  bank,  with  the  capital  still  fixed  at  $200,000. 
Mr.  Sitgreaves  continued  to  be  president  until  his  death,  in  1878,  when  Samuel  Boileau 
was  chosen  to  succeed  him.  Lewis  C.  Reese  was  the  Cashier  until  his  demise  in  Decem- 
ber, 1877,  when  John  A.  Bachman  succeeded  him.  Its  present  officers  (1889)  are  Samuel 
Boileau,  President;  John  A.  Bachman,  Cashier;  P.  F.  Brakeley,  Jr.,  Notary  Public; 
Daniel  Runkle,  Samuel  Thomas,  and  Joseph  C.  Kent,  Dire(?tors. 

The  historian  would  be  able  to  write  quite  an  interesting  chapter  upon  the  newspaper 
enterprises  that  have  been  launched  upon  the  good  citizens  of  Phillipsburg  from  time  to 
time  within  the  last  forty  years,  if  authentic  data  could  be  obtained  ;  but  so  contradidlory 
and  so  confusing  was  the  information  received  from  various  sources  as  to  dates  of  their 
existence  and  collapse  that  he  was  unable  to  satisfy  himself  which  was  corredl  and  which 
was  not.  He  very  much  fears  that  this  part  of  the  history  of  the  town  is  lost,  at  least  so 
far  as  absolute  corre(?tness  is  concerned.  Of  all  the  establishments  that  have  been  started 
only  one  has  been  able  to  stay  upon  the  surface,  and  that  is  the  Warren  Deinocrat^  which 
is  now  in  its  twenty-fourth  year,  and  is  owned  by  Charles  F.  Fitch,  Esq.  It  is  a  Demo- 
cratic weekly,  has  a  large  circulation,  a  good  advertising  patronage,  and  is  a  paying  concern. 


Phillipsburg  possesses  many  natural  advantages  for  manufadluring  purposes,  sur- 
rounded as  it  is  by  a  rich  and  fertile  country  ;  railroads  running  direcflly  through  it,  offer 
to  manufadlurers  every  facility  for  transporting  their  produ6ls  to  the  markets  of  the 
world,  and  by  means  of  these  unsurpassed  accommodations  can  have  the  raw  material 
brought  diredl  from  the  mines,  and  unloaded  at  their  doors  without  transshipment.  It 
is  also  favorably  located  for  further  improvement,  large  plateaus  of  land  extending  north 
and  south  of  the  town.  In  mercantile  pursuits  it  does  an  extensive  business,  not  depend- 
ing merely  upon  its  inhabitants,  but  being  surrounded  by  a  thickly  populated  farming 
community  of  the  better  class,  has  advantages  that  few  towns  of  its  size  possess.  Its  peo- 
ple are  enterprising  and  readily  adopt  everything  that  benefits  the  town,  or  promotes  the 
general  welfare  of  the  community.  Its  municipal  affairs  are  economically  managed,  schools 
and  churches  are  well  sustained,  and  competency  seems  to  be  at  the  head  of  all  its  affairs 
of  whatsoever  kind.  Its  streets  are  in  good  condition,  buildings  are  in  good  repair,  elec- 
tric lights  flash  and  glisten  at  every  turn,  the  whir  of  machinery  is  heard  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  the  entire  populace  seem  to  be  prosperous  and  happy.  Thus  the  historian 
finds  Phillipsburg  at  the  close  of  1889. 


DECEMBER,  1889. 

Four  years  more  than  was  originally  intended  has  been  required  to  complete  the  "His- 
tory of  Easton."  To  gather  references,  to  collect  from  every  source  information  in  regard  to 
those  of  our  citizens  who  have  honored,  by  their  charadler,  abilities,  and  deeds,  our  good 
old  town,  and  still  do  honor  it ;  and  to  arrange  in  order  so  much  of  the  history  of  this  locality 
for  the  last  century  and  a  half  as  could  be  found  ;  has  been  the  grateful  yet  most  laborious 
task  of  the  author.  If,  as  did  "Old  Mortality,"  he  has  removed  the  moss  and  deepened  the 
inscriptions  on  the  headstones  of  buried  memories,  so  that  they  may  be  th^  longer  pre- 
served, he  is  content. 

To  the  many  friends  who  have  for  the  last  five  years  given  to  the  Author  all  assistance 
in  their  power  in  the  preparation  of  this  history,  he  returns  his  most  hearty  thanks.  Satisfied 
that  he  has  given  to  the  work  his  utmost  mental  and  physical  strength,  and  years  of  labor,  he 
asks  only  the  credit  due  to  every  one  who  confers  a  benefit  upon  his  race.  He  feels  that  his 
labors  will  be  appreciated,  more  and  more,  as  time  rolls  on,  and  he  rejoices  in  the  thought 
that  it  has  fallen  to  his  lot  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  the  historj-  of  the  many  noble  men,  who 
have  been  in  the  past,  and  now  are,  citizens  of  this  beautiful  city  at  the  meeting  of  the  moun- 
tain waters. 

To  the  publisher  of  this  history,  the  thanks  of  the  subscribers  and  of  every  friend  of  Eas- 
ton are  largely  due  for  the  excellence  in  typography,  of  the  engravings,  and  the  splendid 
st3-le  in  which  the  work  has  been  published.  No  finer  specimen  of  the  "  Art  preser\-ative  of 
all  arts"  has  ever  been  published  in  Pennsylvania  outside  of  the  largest  cities;  and  it  should 
be  at  once  the  pleasure  and  the  duty  of  the  citizens  of  Easton  to  recognize,  in  every  suiuble 
way,  the  enterprise,  industry  and  artistic  ability  displayed  by  him  in  so  great  an  under- 
taking. 


ERRATA. 

On  page  39,  in  the  sixteenth  line  from  the  top,  read  "  Cowper"  instead  of  "  Watts  " 
On  page  48,  in  the  twentieth  line  from  the  top,  "  Night"  should  be  "  Knight." 
On  page  159,  in  the  thirteenth  line  from  the  top,  ''  Paximora"  should  be  '•  Paxinosa." 
On  page  173,  in  the  eighth  line  from  the  top,  read  "  United  .States  Senate,"  in  place  of  the 

"  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  " 

On  page  407,  between  the  last  word,  "blessing,"  and  the  first  word   "to"  on  the  top  of 

page  40S,  insert  the  words  "  to  those  who  eredled  it,  and  will  continue  to  be  a  blessing." 

On  page  40S,  in  the  second  line  from  the  top,  insert  "he"  between  the  two  words  "  which 

opened  " 


INDEX  TO  CONTENTS. 


Abel  Famii,y. 

Abel,  Jacob 167 

Washington's  Army  in  Dur- 
ham boats 167 

Adams,  John 167 

Getter's  Island 167 

Abi^e,  Edward 471 

Arndt  Family 92 

Author's  Preface 5 

Banks  of  Easton 378 

Bridges  of  Easton 464 

BUSHKILL  Vali,ey. 

source  of  wealth  to  Easton  .    79 
Judge  Daniel  Wagner's  mill  Si 
great  army  of  mills  and  dis- 
tilleries ....  ...    84 

the  fall  in  the  Bushkill  creek  85 
the  fall  in  the  Lehigh  river  .  85 
the  fall  in  the  Delaware  .  .  85 
original  name  of  Lehigh  .    .    85 

Cemeteries. 

Easton  Cemetery 443 

incorporated 444 

beautiful  scenery 444 

Churches  of  Easton. 

when  and  where  built  ...  17 
Third  St.  Ger.  Ref.  Church  .  59 
Indian  Treaty  convened  ...  60 
Paine,  Thomas,  to  act  as  Sec.  60 
remodeled  and  enlarged  1832  61 
again  remodeled  in  1886  .  .  62 
St.  Mark's  Church  .  ...  64 
when  and  where  built  .64 

Grace  Reformed  Church  64 

when  and  where  built  ...  64 
Muhlenberg,  H  Melchoir  95 
St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  .  99 

early  history 99 

Sadtler's,  Dr.  ministry  ...  100 
Schmucker's,  Dr.  ministry  .  100 

Christ  Church loi 

when  built.  .    .  ....  102 

Auspach,  Rev.  J.  M    .    .    .    ,  102 

St.  Paul's  Church 103 

when  built    ....  .    .  103 

Barclay's,  Dr.  ministry     .    .  103 
McKnight's,  Rev.  H  W.  min- 
istry      ....        ...      105 

Hufford's,  Rev.  R., ministry  105 
Zion  Church     .    .  .105 

Pfatteicher,  Rev.  Philip  .  .  105 
house  of  worship  purchased  106 

St.  Peter's  Church 106 

when  built    .    .        108 

St.  Luke  s  Church  ....  108 

when  built 109 

Redemptioners 109 

Presbyterian  churches  .  .  422 
Easton  Religious  Society  .  423 
Presbyterianism,  beginning  423 


Boj-er,  Stephen 423 

Bishop,  Rev 424 

Gra}-,  Rev.  Dr.  John  ....  424 

Miller,  Frank  E 425 

Brainerd  Church 429 

when  built  and  where  .  .  429 
first  pastor  of  the  church  .  429 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  431 
early  history  of  the  ohurch  431 
Edgar's,  Rev.  Dr.  C.H.,  min- 
istry     432 

Methodism  in  Easton  .  .  432 
early  history  of  the  church  .  432 

Reese,  Philip      433 

"  The  Saw  Mill" 433 

church  burned 433 

rebuilt 433 

Chapel  built  on  Ferry  street  434 
Bethel  Mission  (English)  .  434 
Trinity  Church  ( German)  .  434 
Jewish  Synagogue  .  .    .  435 

first  church  building  erected  435 

enlarged        435 

St  Bernard's  CatholicChurch436 
number  of  members  .    .    .    .  436 

church  burned 436 

rebuilt 436 

Baptist  Church 436 

building  a  church  on  Ferry  st  437 
sold  to  the  colored  people  .  437 
church  erected  on  Walnut  st  437 
Marshall,  Rev.  W.  H.    .    .    .  437 

Moravian  Church 437 

place  of  meeting 437 

Episcopal  Church 152 

founder  of  the  church  ...  152 
services  in  the  house  of  .  152 
Sitgreaves,  Hon.  Samuel  .  .  152 

"  White  Church" 152 

built  after  plan  brought  from 
.  Europe  by  Mr.  Sitgreaves  .  152 
the  site  given  by  Mr.  Sit- 
greaves ...  ....  152 

Rodney,  Rev.  John    ....  153 

Commercial  Facilities. 

early  baker  ....  .  445 

Durham  boats 445 

Morris  canal 445 

N.  J.  Central  Railroad      .    .  445 

Bel    Del.  Railroad 446 

Lehigh  &  Susquehanna  R.  R446 
Lehigh  Valley  R.  R.  .       .    .  446 

Court,  Bench  and  Bar. 

early  justices 410 

bar,  early  members  of  the    .411 

Traill,  Robert 413 

Cooper,  John 413 

Brooks,  Robert  May  .     413 

Reeder,  Hon.  A.  H.  .  .  .  413 
Brodhead,  Hon.  Richard  .  416 
Brown,  Ale.Kander  E.  .  .  .  416 
Porter,  Hon.Jas.  M  ,  LL.D.4I7 
McCartney,  Washington  .    .418 


Maxwell,  Henry  D.    .    .    . 

Rogers,  Thomas  J 

Johnson,  Philip 

Mutchler,  William  .... 

bar,  list  of  members  of  the 
Common  School  System. 

school  directors,  first  board 

school  funds,  how  raised  . 

teaching,  manner  of      .    . 

schools,  when  opened 

opposition  to  the  sj'stem  . 

school  accommodations    . 

school  rooms       

teachers  employed,  number 

schools,  government  of    . 

McCartney,  Washington  . 

academy,  the  old    ... 

Female  Seminary  .... 

superintendent    ... 

Cottiugham,  William  W. 

Stewart,  E.  F. ,  address  by 

high  school 

school  system,  beginning 
the  present       

schools,  gradation  of 

high  school 

high  school,  commencemen' 

high  school,  synopsis  of  the 

subordinate  schools  .    . 

Sixth  Ward  Academy   . 

First  Ward  building      . 

Third  Ward  building 

Seventh  Ward  buildings 

school  supervision  . 

Franklin  building  .    .    . 

Teachers'  Institute  ,  .    . 

Cottingham.  W.  W.,   biogra 
phj'  of    .    .    . 

initial  correspondence  . 

Cottingham  celebration 

procession,  the    ... 

addresses 

Wolf,  Gov.    .  .    . 

Wolf  Memorial,  the  .    . 

Court  Houses 

Dedication 


Doctors  op  Easton. 

Northampton  Med.  Soc 
Swift,  Dr.  J.  K  ...  . 
Kennedy,  Dr.  Stewart  . 
Gwinner,  Dr.   Samuel  . 

Detwiller,  Dr.  H 

Field.  Dr.  C.  C  .  .  . 
Lachenour,  Dr.  D  .        .    . 

Seip,  Dr.  Amos 

Detwiller,  Dr.  J.  J  .  .  . 
Sandt,  Dr.  Samuel  ... 


Durham  Boats 

Abel,  Jacob      

American  Crisis,  Paine's 
Easton,  Penna. 

geological  description 


498 

first  house  at  the  Point    .    .  13 

sune y  of  the  town     ....  13 

I'enn's  letter 14 

old  names  of  streets  ....  14 

Northampton  County  .        .  15 

court,  first  session 15 

first  hotel      15 

first  families 15 

emplojments 15-16 

school  fuuds 16 

building  of  a  school  house  .  16 

church 16 

subscribers 16 

Easton  of  Tod.'W. 

manufactures,  a  new  interest 

in 46S 

Industrial  Association  .    .    .  46S 
Boot  and  Shoe  Company  .    .  46S 
Matteawan  Felting  Manufac- 
tory   469 

Easton  and  Northern  R.  R  .  469 
company,  members  of  the  .  4'>9 

Sage,  Henry  A 469 

home  for  the  friendless  .    .    .469 

old  buildings 470 

Able  Opera  House 471 

business  men  of  today,  a  list 
of  the      473 

E.-iSTON  Post  Office. 

first  to  sixteenth  postmaster  179 
general  international  money 

order  office       iSj 

free  delivery  system  ....  1S3 

letterboxes 1S3 

office,  finance  of  the  .        .    .  1S3 

Fire  Dkp.\rtment. 

Humane  Fire  Co.  No.  i  .  .  344 
Weygaudt,  Jacob,Treiisurer .  344 
officersof  theCo.  of  1S70  .  .34^ 
F"in  ley  .George,  his  biography  346 
members  of  the  company  .  .  346 
Phoenix  Fire  Co  ,  No.  2  .    .  347 

a  long  race 347 

officers'  names 349 

Washington  Fire  Co.,  No.  3  .  349 

officers  349 

delegation  from  Phila  ...  349 
officers,  when  disbanded  .  350 
Southwark  Hook  and  Ladder 

Company  No.  i 350 

Keystone  Fire  Co.,  No  S  .    .351 

"ail  gone  to  war." 351 

first  officers 351 

Lafayette  Fire  Co.,  No.  6  .  .  352 
Liberty  Fire  Co.,  No.  7  .  .  .  353 
paid  fire  departmeut  .        .      354 

Hay's  truck 355 

J  j'  Smith,  Chief  Engineer  .  355 
members'  names     .  .  35(1 

horse  waiting  for  the  alarm  .  357 
the  alarm   sounded,  springs 

to  his  place 357 

horses  carefully  trained  .    .  358 

great  parade 359 

llie  several  divisions  .    .    .    .360 

decorations 362 

firemen's  arch 363 

welcome  to  tho  new  truck  .  365 


Index  to  Contents. 

Floods. 

damage  along  the  Lehigh  .  458 
Law's  bridge  swept  away  .  458 
the  Lehigh  a  roaring  torreut45S 
consternation  on  Thursday  .  458 
suffering  of  the  boatmen  .  .  45S 
buildings  carried  away  .  .  .458 
Lehigh  Valley  a  desolation  .  458 

Gordon,  Louis 31 


Greex  Family. 

Green,  William 

Richard,  John,  Enoch,  Ben- 

iamin,  Trail,  Henry  .    .    . 

ITay  Family 


Hotels  of  Easton. 

first  and  second  hotels  . 
frolics  and  dancing  .  . 
Washington  Hotel     .    . 

Bull's  Head 

Golden  Lamb  .... 
"Bully  Whack"     .    . 

Arlington 

White's  Hotel  .    .    .    .    , 
Green  Tree      .... 
"Daddy"  Hempt   .    . 
best  man 


Indian  Treaties. 

walking  purchase 45 

dissatisfadlion  of  the  Indians  45 

names  of  the  walkers    ...  45 

expert  walkers  obtained  .  45 

Wrightstown  meeting  house  45 

start  at  sunrise 46 

the  precursor  of  war  .  46 
New  Castle,  the  brave  mes- 
senger. 48 
on  a  mission  of  peac-^    ...  48 
Teedvuscung  brought  to  Eas- 
ton ....                       .    .  48 

treaties  begin  at  the  Point  .  48 
at  Vernon's  Tavern  .    .         -49 
Teedvuscung  in  French  gar- 
ments    49 

second  treaty 49 

Paxinosa's  address 51 

third  treaty 51 

ruffled  shirts  for  Indians  ,    .  52 

another  treaty 53 

Introductory  Chapter. 

Mount  Jefferson  ...      7 

Jlount  Lafayette 7 

Mount  Olympus 7 

Lehigh  Hills 7 

HNcrs 7 

Mountains,  Vallies  and  Rivers  S 
first  house  in  Easton  ...  8 
where  Parsons  had  intended 

the  town  to  be  built  ...  9 
Michael  Schlatter:  his  birth 
place  ;  errand  to  .America  ; 
visit  to  Europe  ;  raises  mo- 
ney forchurch  and  schools; 
his  presentation  of  a  Bible  ; 
his  death  and  burial  in 
Philadelphia 9 

Jails  of  E.^ston 27 


KiCHLINE  Famtly 76 

Lafayette  College. 

when  founded  and  where  .  .  302 

Jones,  Joel 302 

McKeen,  Thomas 302 

a  name  given 303 

trustees,  list  of 303 

Junkin.  Rev.  George  ....  303 
Manual  Labor  Academy  .  .  303 
Junkin  brings  his  school  to 

Easton   ....  ...  305 

where  the  College  fiist  met  .  305 
first  Commencement  ....  306 

manual  labor,  amount  of  .    .  306 

curriculum 306 

new  location  purchased  .  .  307 
new  buildings  erected      .      308 

building  finished 308 

President  resigns 409 

Yeomaus,  Dr 309 

Nassau,  Dr 309 

McLean,  Dr 309 

McPhail.  Rev.  George  W.  310 
Cattell.  Rev.  Wm.  C.  ...  312 
his   first   acquaintance   with 

Pardee    ...  312 

Coffin,  James  H.,LL.  D.  .  .313 
March,  Prof  Francis  A.  .  314 
Coleman,  Rev.  Lvman  .  .  315 
Green,  Dr.  Traill'  .    .        .    .  318 

Coffin.  Selden  J 325 

Cattell's,  Dr.,  biography  .  .328 
Professor  at  Lafayette  .  .  328 
pastor  in  Harrisburg  .  .  .  .328 
President  of  Lafayette  .  .  .329 
first  .gift  from  Pardee  .  .  .  329 
in  Europe     ...  . .     329 

receives  D.  D.  and  LL.  D.  .  330 
Dr.  Cattell  and  "  his  boys"  331 
last  baccalaureate      ...      .31 

prosperity 331 

Dr.  Cattell  resigns  ....      332 

1  ir.  Kno.x       .  334 

Dr.  Ballard,  Prof.  Fox.  .  .  335 
Dr.  Porter,  Prof  Youngman, 

Prof  Owen,  Prof  Moore,  336 
Dr  Wclntire,    Prof  Hardv, 

Prof  Hart,  Prof  Hall,  Prbf 

Silliman,  Prof  Bloomberg, 

Prof   March,  Jr.,  Samuel 

L.  Fisler  337 

members  of  the  Faculty  who 

were  not  alumni     .    .        .  339 
names  of  the  members  of  the 

Faculty  who  were  alumni  339 

Ario  Pardee 340 

Blair.  John  1 340 

Washington    and   Franklin 

Literary  Societies  .      341 

Brainerd  Missionary  Society  342 
Alumni  Association  .    .  342 

Christian  Brotherhood  .  .  .  342 
National  History  Society  .  .  343 

Chemical  Society 343 

Society  of  Physics  and  Engi- 
neering  343 

Lehn  Family  ...  .77 

Municipal  Government 

Borough  of  Easton  .    .  366 


first  officers 366 

Wards 367 

City  charter 368 

Common  Council 368 

Mayor  Chidsey,  first  Mayor  369 
Nevin,  D.  W.,  first  president 

of  Select  Council  .  .  .  .371 
members'  names .....  372 
Easton's  first  officers  under 

the  city  charter 373 

redivision  into  wards  .  .  374 
police  force 375 

MixsELL,  Philip. 

where  and  when  born  .    .      190 

in  Wagner's  mill 191 

ladies'  dresses 192 

Pomp's  corner 192 

election  day .    .  192 

applebutter  frolics 192 

mason  work   of  the   Third 

street  church 192 

game  of  cards 193 

Delaware  bridge      193 

Military  History. 

Parson's  army      196 

alarms  of  1755-1756  ....  196 

Weiger,  Conrad ig6 

Poutiac  war 196 

a  company  raised,  the  oldest 
in  the  history  of  Eastou  .  197 

Muster  Roll 197 

Saylor's  Lake 198 

a  remarkable  courtship  ...  198 

Gilmore,   Thomas 198 

Rachel  Young 199 

Gilmore  iu  love,  and  cut  his 

foot 199 

Paddy's  excelsior 200 

a  wedding 200 

Dr  Appel 200 

whiskey  rebellion 200 

Diehl,  Jacob 201 

war  of  1812 20I 

Capitol  burned      201 

Court  House  bell  rung  .  .  .  202 
military  company  formed  .  202 
seven  men  by  one  name  .    .  202 

muster  roll 202 

remarkable  speech,  a  .    ...  202 

Butz,  Michael      203 

Titus,  Lawrence 203 

go   to  Philadelphia  to   wel- 
come Lafayette  ....      204 
muster  roll  of  the  company  .  205 
Easton  artillerists      ....  206 

muster  roll  • 206 

Camp  Delaware  on  the  south 

side  of  the  Lehigh  .  .  207 

Gen.  Cadwallader       ....  209 

fire  works      209 

large  gathering      209 

military  and  boatmen's  riot  .  210 
navigation  obstructed  .  .210 
sad  parade  in  Easton  .  .  .  .210 
line  of  boats  two  miles  long  .211 
Packer,  Asa,  knocked  into  the 


Packer,  Mr.,  was  rescued  bv 


Index  to  Contents. 

Joseph  Savitz 211 

companies  march  to  the  scene 

with  loaded  pieces  .    .    .    .211 
character  of  the  Easton  com- 
panies   212 

Reeder,  Capt 212 

Yohe,  Capt       212 

Ihrie   Gen.  Peter.    .    .  .212 

Taylor  monument  dedication2i3 

military  display 213 

Easton  National  Guards  .    .  214 

muster  roll 214 

sham  battle  in  Trenton  .  .  .  215 
Citizens'  Artillery      ...      215 

muster  roll 215 

burial  of  John  F.  Bachman  .  215 
Pomp's  Cornet  Band  .        .    .215 

famous  celebration 216 

Easton  Jaegers 217 

muster  roll 217 

Glanz,  Capt.  Charles  .  .  .  .217 
funerals  of  soldiers  of  1812  218 
reminder  of  militia  days  .  .  218 
Jan.  and  Feb.  parades,  1S61.  219 
Washington's  birthday  .  .  .219 
Rebellion  approaching  .  .  .219 
great  union  demonstration  .  219 

resolutions 219 

sham  battle      220 

skirmish  on  Northampton  st.220 

war  inevitable      221 

patriotic  fires  burning  .  .  ,221 
first  gun  on  Sumter    ...      221 

Navigation  of  the  Delaware. 
Major  William  Bamet  .    .    .  461 

The  Reindeer 461 

Alfred  Thomas 461 

on  the  morning  of  March  6  461 
list  of  those  on  board    ...  462 

explosion 462 

list  of  killed  and  wounded.  .463 

Youells,  B.  M 463 

a  relief  meeting  called  463 

dream  of  navigation  passed 
away 463 

Newspapers  and  Printing. 
first  newspaper  by  J.  Wey- 

gandt  456 

Parsons, William 19-24 

Parsons,  Miss  Grace,  oif  for 
Philadelphia 24 

Pickering,  Timothy. 

birth  of  169 

in  the  revolution 169 

in  Wyoming 169 

iu  chains 171 

in  the  Cabinet  of  Washingt'n  171 
in  the  Cabinet  of  Adams  .  .  171 
in  the  U.  S  Senate  .  .  .  .172 
death 173 

Pomp,  Rev.  Nicholas  ....  1S6 
Pomp,  Rev.  Thomas  ...  .186 
Publisher's  Note 4 

Revolution.  Easton  during  the 
Committee  of  Safety  .  .  .  .  123 
Whigs  and  Tories 123 


499 

committee,  members  of  the  124 
preparing  for  war,  activity  in  125 

company  raised 127 

battle  of  Brooklyn 126 

loss  of  the  company  in  battle  127 
committee,  duties  of  the  .  .128 
committee,  formation  of  .  .  131 
members,  nationality  of  the  134 
Rebellion,  War  of  the 

War  of  the  Rebellion    .    .    .222 
meeting  in  the  Court  House  222 
great  war  meeting  on  Sum- 
ter's bombardment  ....  222 

resolutions 222-223 

committee  to  secure  names 

of  volunteers 223 

surrender  of  Fort  Sumter,  tre- 
mendous excitement  .  .    .  223 
Old  Court  House  packed  .    .  223 
adjourned  meeting     ....  224 
committee  sent  toHarrisburg  224 

growing  patriotism 224 

departure   of  three  mouths' 

men 224 

Armstrong,  William  H.    .    .  225 

Bell,  Ferdinand  W 225 

FirstRegimeut  of  Penna.V0l.226 
muster  rolls  of  Company  B, 

C,  D,  H,  G 227-228 

arrival  of  the  Rhode  Island 

Marine  Artillery 229 

flag   raising   by   the   public 

schools 229 

Green,  Dr.  Traill 229 

volunteering  iu  May,  1861  .  229 
war  alarm  in  Newjersey  .    .  229 
Sitgreaves,  Maj.  Charles,  of 
Phillipsburg  ....        .    .  230 

Easton  Volunteers  in  the  Pa. 

Reserves 230 

Horn,  John  J 2:0 

Baldy,  Peter 230 

company  mustered  into  ser- 
vice, 1861 231 

Company  E  ,  Twelfth  Penna. 

Reserves        231 

muster  roll 231 

flag  raisings 232 

flag  on  the  Synagogue.  .    .   232 
flag  on  a  pole  a  hundred  feet 

high  at  Reich's  grocery  .  .232 
address  by  O.  H.  Meyers, Esq.232 
fair  ground  choseu  as  a  state 

camp 232 

aid  to  volunteers  in  the  field  232 
patriotic  president  of  a  Vir- 
ginia College 233 

passage  of  troops 233 

flag  presentation 233 

Fourth  of July,  1861  ....  233 
march  of  the  Reserves  down 

Northampton  street  .  .  .23). 
campaign    of  three    months 

men 234 

"March  through  Baltimore"  235 
reception  of  the  three  months 

voluuteers 237 

speech  by  E.  J.  Fox,  Esq    .  237 

riotous  outbreak 237 

illtimed  remarks     ...       .  237 


500 


Index  to  Contents. 


recruiting  in  Easton  ....  23S 

Seymour  s  Battery 238 

muster  roll 239 

ovation  to  Chas.A.Heckman  240 
address  by  Hon.A.H.Reeder  240 
Heckman,  where  born  .  .  .  240 
Heckman  in  command  .  .  240 
Lieuts.  Reeder  and  WyckofF 

wounded 241 

funeral  of  Col  James  Miller  241 
H.  Boyd  Mckeen  promoted 

to  Colonel     .    .        .    .  241 

Wm.  M.  McKeen  wounded  241 
Edward  J.  Fox  most  active  241 

Howard,  Gen.  O.  0 241 

Public  Schools    ...           .242 
Seymour's  battery;  an  inter- 
esting letter  242 

draft  riots  in  New  York  .  .  243 
Simons ,  Sergeant  James  .  243 
Gen.  Armistead's thanks  .  243 
who  fell  in  battle  ....  244 
"We  are  coming  father  .\b- 
raham  three  hundred  thou- 
sand more  "      244 

resolutions    ...  ...  244 

committee  to  raise  volunteers246 
action  of  Northampton  Co 

to  avoid  the  draft  ...  246 
departure  of  volunteers  for 

the  129th  Regt 247 

muster  roll  of  Easton  com- 
panies D,  F,  K.  247-248 
draft  ordered  in  connty.  .    .  249 
call  for  volunteers  for  state 

defence 249 

muster  roll  of  Easton  com- 
panies, A,  F.  1 250 

South  Easton  company  B  251 
r  74th  Regiment  drafted  nine 

months  militia 252 

muster  roll  of  Co.  E,  153d 

Regt.  P.  V 253 

departure  of  drafted  men  .  .  253 
Easton  Loyal  Union  League  254 
presentation  of  a  horse  .  .254 
vigorous  prosecution  of  the 

war  necessary  ...  254 

reception  of  the  129th  Regt.  255 
sketch  of  service  ....  255 
at  Fredericksburg  .    .  255 

casualties  at  Fredericksburg 

among  Easton  men    .  256 

dress  coat  episode  .    .  257 

Chancellorsville  campaign  .  257 

homeward  bound 259 

arrival  of  the  volunteers  .    .  259 

public  reception 260 

public  addresses  .  .  260-261 
Reeder,  Mrs.  Andrew  H.  .  263 
Ladies'  Aid  Societies     .  26  ; 

Citizens'  Aid  Societies  .  .  263 
Hetrich,  Mrs  Josiah  P.  .  263 
Rebellion  invasions  ....  263 
a  new  companv  .    .    .  264 

Companies  C  D,  E,  F,  G,  H, 

K.  38th  Militia  .  264-265-266 
Co.  D,  37th  Regt  Pa.  Militia  268 
reception, of  the  153d  Regt.   269 

Chancellorsville 260 

Ciettysburg 270 


letter  of  Col.  Glanz  ....  270 
muster  roll  of  Co.  E,  153rd 

Regt.,  P.  V 271 

at  the  Fair  Ground    .    .        .  273 
address  of  Philip  Johnson    .  274 
sword  presentation  to  Colo- 
nel Glanz 276 

draft  in  Easton        276 

dinner  to  the  Invalid  Corps  277 
return  of  the  51st  to  recruit  277 
muster  rolls  Cos.  B  and  K..  279 
Bell,  Capt  ,  death  of  .  .  .  280 
casualties  among  the  Easton 

Volunteers 281 

l8oth  Regt.  Pa.  Vols.  ...  282 
Reeder,  Capt.  Frank  .  .  .  2S3 
muster  roll  of  the  regimental 

band  of  the  47th  Re.gt  .  .  284 
muster  roll  of  Cos.  A,  E  285-286 
casualties  among  the  Easton 

Volunteers        287 

muster  roll  of  Co.  H,    214th 

P.  V 287 

113th  Pa  Vol.  Pa  Cavalry  .  288 
108th  Regt.  Pa.  Vols,     nth 

Pa.  Cavalryilliam 289 

Seip,  Capt.  W 2S9 

59th  Regt.  P.V  2d  Pa.  Cav.  289 
muster  roll  Co  H  .  .  .  .289 
Easton  colored  volunteers  .  290 
Ludlow,  Jacob  R.,  M.  D  .  .  291 
Rodenbough,  Gen.  T.  F.  .  .291 
Kilpatrick's  bugler  .  .  .  292 
Easton  in  the  regular  army  .  293 

Easton  in  the  navy 293 

Easton  Grays 294 

muster   roll   of  the   Easton 

Grays       296 

Haydeu,  Geo.  W.,  as  drum- 
boy    296 

SiTGREAVES,  Hon.  Samuei,- 

parents  and  birth        ...  145 

education  145 

admitted  to  the  bar  .  .  .  .145 
removed  to  Easton  .  .  .  .146 
member  of  the  convention  .  146 
members  of  Congress  .  .  .  147 
Jay's  Treaty      .    .  ...  147 

member  of  the  commission 

in  Philadelphia  .  148 

special  commissioner  to  Gt. 

Britain .148 

Blount's  impeachment  .    .    .  149 

trial  of  John  Fries 150 

his  interest  in  public  affairs  152 
founder  of  Epi.scop'1  Church  152 

Stagk.s. 

Philadelphia        175 

Allentown,  Wind  Gap  .    .    .  176 

Bethlehem 176 

changed       17S 

Street  Illumination. 

Easton  Gas  Company        .    .  448 

electric  light 449 

Rinek,  Howard 45° 

Stout,  John  V 450 

salaries  of  the  Easton  officers  451 
Pennsylvania  Electric  Light 
Company 4.Si 


Edison  Electric  Illuminat- 
ing Compau}'       452 

electric  plant,  where  located  452 

Sullivan's  Expedition. 

organized  at  Easton  ....  135 
artillery  and  soldiers   from 

the  national  army  .    .    .    .135 
Clinton,  Gov.  .    .    '    .  .135 

Easton  his  headquarters       .  IJ7 
'Lover's  Lane"  cut  by  Sulli- 
van's men    ....  .138 
Clinton  and  Sullivan  join  at 

Tioga 139 

the  battle  and  victory    .    .    .139 

Tatamy,  the  Delaware  Chief. 
converted  under  Brainerd    .    56 
ever   after   faithful    to    the 
whites 56 

Taylor,  Hon.  George- 

paying  his  passage  across  the 
Atlantic  at  Durham  Fur- 
nace    Ill 

clerk  in  the  furnace        .    .  .112 
member  of  the  Assembly    .112 
Taylor  in  Congress         ...115 
Chief  Justice  M'Kean's  let- 
ter      .  116 

signed    the    Declaration    of 

Independence,  Aug.  2d     .115 
proprietor   of  the    Durham 

Furnace  ...  115 

his  association  with  Jeffer 
son.    Franklin,     Hancock 

and  Adams  .  . 1 19 

descendants  of  Geo.  Taylor  120 

The  Fate  of  a  Flirt. 

murdered  by  somebody     ...   87 

Traill  Robert 71 

Vanderveer,  Dr.  John. 

his  character  as  a  teacher  .  3C0 
his  character  as  a  Christian  .300 

his  retirement 300 

his  death 3°° 

Wagener  Family. 

nationality  "93 

David,  where  from 193 

Hon.  David  D      194 

Union  Guards 194 

Lafayette,  reception  of  .  .  .  194 
David  D.,  in  Congress      .    .  194 

Gen.  Jackson 194 

David  D.,  Prest.  of  Easton 
Bank 195 

Water  Supply. 

company  incorporated  .  .  466 
reser\-oi'r  on  Chestnut  Hill  .  460 
West  Ward  Water  Company  467 
Act  of  Assembly,  March  6  .  467 
Lehigh  Water  Company  .  .  467 
water  from  the  Delaware  .  .  ^67 
amount  of  water  supplied  .  .467 
present  officers  of  company  .  467 


South  Easton 
Phillipsburg 


480-485 
486-493 


INDEX  TO  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Across  the  Delaware  (old  view) 140 

Badge — I29tli  Regiment         .  261 

— 153d  Regiment  269 

Bushkill  Bridge— Fourth  Street  (old) 6 

Bridge— Third  Street  (old) 35 

View  at  mouth  of 463 

View  at  Butz's  Mill  ■ 80 

View  at  Wagner's  Dam 83 

View  at  Williams'  Dam 235 

Camp  Delaware  .    .  208 

Cemeterj'  Arch 444 

Centre  Square,  1855 378 

Centre  Square  (bird's  eye  view) 121 

Centre  Square,  1S30     .  12 

Centre  Square,  Market  Day 4';i 

Circle  and  Fountain 387 

Churches— Third  Street  Reformed 58 

— St.  Paul's  Lutheran       10 1 

— St.  Peter's  Lutheran 107 

Court  House — old 66 

—new 69 

County  House — old      ....    74 

Continental  Soldier 136 

Durham  Boat ■        .    37 

Delaware — Down  the 230 

— t'P  the 245 

Easton — Bird's  Eye  View       Frontispiece 

— Bird's  Eye  View  from  College  Hill    .    .    .  430 

— View  in  1876 42b 

Easton  National  Bank 377 

Explosion  of  ■  Alfred  Thomas" .    .    .462 

Fire  Department 344 

Humane  Fire  Co  Officers 345 

Phoenix  Engine  House 3  17 

Carriage      349 

Truck  and  Engine 350-351 

Central  Fire  Station 355 

Smith,  John  J.,  portrait 356 

Alarm,  Waiting  for,  Sounded,  &c   357-35S-359 

Arch  of  Welcome 362 

First  Church  and  School  House 17 

Front  and  Bushkill  Streets,  1840 191 

Hay  Residence 155 


Hotels— Old  "  Bull's  Head" 

—United  States        

—White's 

Indian  Scout 

Jails— First  Jail  ...  ... 

—Third  Jail 

Lafayette  College— Old  and  New    .    .    . 

Approach  to 

Campus 

JenksHall      

Observatory 

Pardee  Hall  .    . 

Reading  Room  .  .    .    .    . 

Lehigh  Dam  and  River  (old) 

Lehigh  River — near  Dam 

— View  up  (new  bridge,  i! 

Lehigh  Bridge  — Chain,  181 1 

— of  1862 

Lehigh  Valley  R.  R.  Depot 

Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  R.  R,  Depot 

Martin's  Ferry  House 

Mount  Ida  .  '. 

Mount  Jefferson        

Post  Office  

Parson's  House 

Pot  Rock  and  Eddy 

Phillipsburg— Bird's  Eye  View    .    .    .    . 
Streets— Northampton,  West  (old).   .    . 
—Northampton,  West,    (1886) 
— Northampton,  East,  118S9)  . 
—Third  Street,  South,  (1889)  .    . 
—Third  Street,  North,  (1887)  .    . 

Stage  Coach 

Sitgreaves  Mansion  • 

Schools — Second  Ward  Buildings   .    .    , 

— Franklin  Building 

—Taylor  Building      .        .    .    .    . 

.    — Memorial  Gateway 

South  Easton — Bird  s  Eye  View  .    .    .    . 

Taylor  Monument 

"  The  Point" — about  1830 

— about   1830 

—in  1S86 


162 
164 
,165 
138 
28 
30 
,320 
,301 
321 

■  324 
323 

■  317 
322 


■  459 

■  446 
447 


23 
no 
487 
129 
432 
45+ 
44  > 
275 
177 
146 
394 
398 
395 


465 
•  52 


INDEX  TO  PORTRAITS. 


Able,  Edward 47 1 

Armstrong,  William  H 2^5 

Ballard,  Addison 338 

Bell,  Ferdinand  W 225 

Butz,  Michael 202 

Cattell,  William  C 328 

Chidsey,  Charles  F 369 

Coffin,  James  H 310 

Coffin,  Selden  J 325 

Coleman,  Lyman 315 

Condit,  Uzal  W i 

Cottingham,  William  W 400 

Dachrodt,  Jacob 252 

Detwiller,  Henry 439 

Detwiller,  John 442 

Finley,  George 345 

Glanz,  Charles 252 

Green,  Traill 318 

Goldsmith,  Aaron 373 

Hayden,  George  W. . 297 

Heck,  George 371 

Heckman,  Charles  A 240 

Hetrich,  Mrs.  Josiah  P 203 


Knox,  James  Mason ^ 335 

Ludlow,  Jacob  R 291 

March,  Francis  A 311 

McCartney,  Washington 418 

Muhlenberg,  Henry  M g6 

Mutchler,  William 420 

Nevin,  David  W 370 

Ohl,  Ephraim  N.  R 293 


Pardee,  Ario 


•340 


Police  Force 375 

Reeder,  Andrew  H 


414 

Reeder,  Mrs.  Andrew  H. 262 

Reeder,   Frank 283 

Rodenbongh,  Theophilus  F 292 

Sage,  Henry  A 469 

Seip,  Albert  N. ,  .    289 

Schlatter,  Michael 8 

Taylor,  George   112 

Titus,  Lawrence ...  202 

Vanderveer,  John   299 

Wagner,  David   194 

West,  George  W 5 

Wolf.  George 405 


'^Uchnrn  ^mdutf.. 


STg.    MANCHESTER. 
INDIANA